HUD Announces $7.2 Million to Improve Energy Efficiency and Climate Resilience at 333 Oak Apartments in Portland 

Funding is part of $544 million in Green and Resilient Retrofit Program awards which are helping properties and communities throughout the country to combat the climate crisis and improve lives for low-income individuals and families. 

PORTLAND – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today celebrated the 333 Oak Apartments in Portland, Oregon as a recipient of $7,200,000 in funding under HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program. The announcement was made by Oregon Field Office Director Bryan Guiney at an event at the property with Senator Wyden, Congresswoman Bonamici, and Trell Anderson, Northwest Housing Alternatives Executive Director, the owner of 333 Oak Apartments. The funds will be used to help finance energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations for the homes of the 90 individuals and families that call 333 Oak Apartments home. 

The President’s Inflation Reduction Act allocated $837 million to HUD for the program. To date, HUD has put more than $544 million in program grants and loans into the hands of individual assisted housing property owners to improve the health, safety, and energy efficiency of properties that more than 12,600 low-income individuals and families call home. This is the first and only award in Oregon to-date.

"Today's award of $7.2 million to the 333 Oak Apartments could not come at a better time," said HUD's Oregon Field Office Director Bryan Guiney. "Portland's housing crisis, coupled with the extreme weather patterns we have been experiencing over the past few years, mean that the time to act is now - we must ensure our affordable housing residents have safe homes and today's award is a step in the right direction." 

“Congratulations to Northwest Housing Alternatives, and thank you to our HUD Oregon office for supporting the great work happening in our state,” Senator Ron Wyden said. “This grant will go a long way in not only preserving, but improving this affordable housing complex for years to come, giving residents a place to call home that is climate-resilient and energy-efficient.”

“As Oregon faces dual challenges of an affordable housing crisis and climate chaos catastrophes, it’s critical to invest in green energy-centered housing options that offer zero-emission electricity generation, low-emission building materials, and energy storage solutions,” Senator Jeff Merkley said. “This first-of-its-kind federal funding coming to Oregon to boost green and resilient retrofits of our buildings is key to paving the way for a more sustainable energy future for our neighborhoods for generations to come.”

“Addressing the climate crisis with equity means updating existing affordable housing to make it more resilient and energy efficient,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Meaningful investments like this from the Inflation Reduction Act will also preserve affordable housing and result in more good jobs in NW Oregon and across the country. I’m grateful for this $7.2 million grant from HUD to upgrade Oak Apartments, providing more resilient, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes for the residents.”

 “Creating more climate-resilient housing communities has been a top priority for Northwest Housing Alternatives for several years," said Trell Anderson, Northwest Housing Alternatives Executive Director. "We serve populations that are often the most vulnerable to climate change impacts like extreme weather. As these events become more frequent and intense in the Pacific Northwest, the need for comprehensive, forward-thinking strategies to ensure the sustainability and resilience of affordable housing has never been more critical. This is why we are very grateful to HUD and our Congressional delegation for continuing to advocate for creative climate resilience solutions. We will also continue advocating for more funding to complete these important upgrades at Oak Apartments and other buildings.”

Investments under the GRRP will advance environmental justice by serving low-income families in accordance with the Administration’s Justice 40 initiative. Retrofitting these homes will reduce their carbon emissions, make them more resilient to extreme weather events, and enhance their ability to more quickly respond to and recover from such events.  

FACT SHEET: Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Progress To-Date