Our Story
Founded in 2014, the Welcome Home Coalition was formed out of a grassroots effort to address the growing housing crisis. Since our founding, our network has successfully passed initiatives to ensure everyone has access to quality housing. Today, we are a diverse coalition of over 60 organizations with a shared vision of our region.
2014
The Welcome Home Coalition was formed by 211info, Coalition of Communities of Color, Community Alliance of Tenants, JOIN, Housing Oregon, and Street Roots to establish new revenue in response to a growing housing crisis in our region.
2015
Welcome Home led a grassroots effort to increase the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Affordable Housing in the City of Portland. In July 2015, the City of Portland increased the TIF from 30% to 45% - successfully increasing the available funds for affordable housing development.
2015
Welcome Home began a grassroots campaign to pass Measure 26-179 to allow the City of Portland to invest $258 million in affordable housingThe bond set out to add 1,300 housing units. As of 2022, all of the original housing goals have been exceeded.
2016
Portland voters passed Measure 26-179.
2017
Welcome Home led grassroots advocacy to pass the Metro Housing Bond, Measure 26-199, to create permanently affordable homes across Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties. The funds would build or preserve an estimated 2,400-3,900 housing units for residents living on low incomes.
2018
Voters passed Measure 26-199, generating $652.8 million in revenue.
2019/2020
Welcome Home Coalition members participated in the creation of Measure 26-210, an income tax to fund supportive housing services. The measure is expected to generate $2.5 billion over 10 years to provide housing assistance and services for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
2020
Voters passed Measure 26-210.
Our Work
We use community education, research, and advocacy to advance housing policies that enable all our neighbors to succeed.
Policy Advocacy
We advocate for policies that increase the supply of affordable homes, remove barriers to housing, and enable all our neighbors to be successful in their housing outcomes.
Leadership Development
We work with people directly impacted by our region’s housing crisis to bring voices with lived experience of housing insecurity to decision making tables.
Mission and Vision
Mission
We are a diverse coalition in the Portland metropolitan region that uses its collective resources to ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. We use community education, research, and advocacy to advance housing policies that enable all our neighbors to succeed.
Vision
We envision a future where all our neighbors have a safe and stable place to call home, and our community takes collective action to eliminate racial inequities in housing outcomes.
History
Rents were increasing up to 30%, vacancy rates were at 2%, homeless shelters were becoming more packed, and communities of color were becoming increasingly displaced.
JOIN, Street Roots, ROSE Community Development Corporation, Housing Oregon, Community Alliance of Tenants, and the Native American Youth and Family Center decided to form a coalition to bring together the many voices concerned with the lack of funding at a time when cuts to safety net services were devastating.
The director hired, built out basic infrastructure on a shoestring budget; researched national approaches and best practices to generate revenue at the local level.
Developed leadership training and speaker’s bureau to support community members to play a key role as advocates - testify, share their story, and campaign.
Increased Portland’s TIF affordable housing set aside from 30% to 45% generating $67 million more over 10 years.
Passed $1.2 million annually in lodging taxes dedicated to Portland’ Housing Investment Fund.
Advocated for increase in City of Portland’s affordable housing budget to $64 million over the next decade.
Passed a construction excise tax in the City of Portland that will generate bringing in $8 million annually.
Conducted a public research poll that showed 62% interest in a property tax and bond to fund affordable housing.
Mobilized over 5,000 volunteers in a campaign that secured $258 million in new funds for the city of Portland.
Inform the development of a bond framework for the City of Portland Housing Bureau.
Increased Portland’s TIF affordable housing set aside from 30% to 45% generating $67 million more over 10 years.
Passed $1.2 million annually in lodging taxes dedicated to Portland’ Housing Investment Fund.
Advocated for increase in City of Portland’s affordable housing budget to $64 million over the next decade.
Passed a construction excise tax in the City of Portland that will generate bringing in $8 million annually.
Begin advocacy for Metrowide regional housing for $652 million.
Served as a key stakeholder on Yes for Affordable Housing campaign.
Our community is stronger when we work together. Join us in ensuring all our neighbors have an affordable place to call home.
Equity in Action
Equity Statement
Welcome Home is committed to pursuing policy solutions and strategies that are equitable in both access and outcomes regardless of a person’s race, ethnicity, faith, culture, language, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or family status. We believe that confronting our region’s housing crisis with an equity lens is critical in order to preserve the dignity, humanity, and uniqueness of each and every one of our neighbors.
Staff and Members
Welcome Home Coalition values the unique talents and diverse perspectives of our staff and members.
Staff
Molly Hogan
Jessica Mathis
Emily Ausman
Molly Hogan, Director
molly@welcomehomecoalition.org
Molly Hogan, Director
molly@welcomehomecoalition.org
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Maecenas tincidunt venenatis ante, non rutrum ex. Aenean id porttitor leo, sit amet dictum est. Duis ornare consequat blandit. Donec ultricies elit ac vestibulum cursus. Phasellus id nibh vitae neque mattis viverra in eget tortor. In id nisi id massa gravida ultricies sed nec augue. Integer sodales magna in nisi fringilla, nec lobortis mauris molestie. Suspendisse magna turpis, mattis nec urna facilisis, consectetur scelerisque augue. Sed sit amet finibus quam, tempus varius tellus. Nulla euismod quam vitae tincidunt blandit. Proin vehicula lacus consequat, convallis nisl vel, facilisis diam. Donec vestibulum non turpis vel pharetra. Quisque ornare hendrerit consequat.
Steering Committee
Cree Bort
Katrina Holland
Jenny Lee
Sahaan McKelvey
Nick Sauvie
Marisa Zapata
Members
We are made up of diverse organizations in Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah Counties.
Thank you to our members!
Help us continue to build a movement to ensure everyone has a safe, stable and accessible home.
Get Involved
The success of Welcome Home Coalition depends on the support and engagement of the community. Thank you for your interest in getting involved.
Donate
Supporting the Welcome Home Coalition means investing in a movement for safe, stable, affordable homes for everyone in the Portland Metro region.
Apply to be a Volunteer Coach!
Welcome Home is seeking volunteer coaches to provide peer support as part of advocacy workshops for neighbors with lived experience of housing insecurity.
Stay Connected!
Get regular updates and volunteer opportunities sent directly to your inbox!
Contact Us
Send Us a Message
Have a question or comment? Please fill out this contact form or send us an email at Info@WelcomeHomeCoalition.org and we will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Contact Info
Info@WelcomeHomeCoalition.org
(971) 291-3750
PO Box 16490
Portland, OR 97292
Fiscally Sponsored By
JOIN
Help us continue to build a movement to ensure everyone has a safe, stable and accessible home.
Help us continue to build a
movement to ensure everyone has
a safe, stable and accessible home.
Help us continue to build a
movement to ensure everyone has
a safe, stable and accessible home.
WHC Home
We are a diverse coalition in the Portland metropolitan region that uses its collective resources to ensure that everyone has a safe and stable place to call home. We use community education, research, and advocacy to advance housing policies that enable all our neighbors to succeed.
Our Successes
Our work is helping more than 5,000 families find a safe, affordable place to call home. To date, we have invested nearly $1 billon of new dollars to address the housing crisis in our region.
Who We Are
We are advocates, affordable housing developers, social service providers, culturally specific organizations, and neighbors who are building a movement for, by, and with the people most impacted by the housing crisis.