Home ForwardA Report to the Community 2 0 1 3

Dear Friends: WHILE IT ’S TRUE that Home Forward is living in a time of shrinking

resources and increasing demand for our services, we are committed to

delivering on the promises we make to the families, seniors, vulnerable

adults, and others we work with every day.

That means we must do four things very well.

First, we must focus our resources more intentionally and align with partners

serving the same people to increase everyone’s chances for success.

Second, we must preserve the real estate resources we have as we

seek opportunities to increase the supply of affordable housing throughout

Multnomah County.

Third, we must shift the emphasis in our work with residents to spend less

time on administrative tasks and more time connecting them to support and

services that help them move forward in their lives.

And finally, we must be good stewards of public funds, harnessing

innovation to do things even more effectively in service of our mission.

We have a special responsibility to those who can’t afford a home in our

community because of income, disability, or special need. Our passion

for this mission gives us the resolve to tackle the challenges that face us.

With deep appreciation for your support,

Steve Rudman Executive Director

Harriet Cormack

Jorge Guzman

David Kelleher

Benita Legarza

Brian Lessler

Lee Moore

Jim Smith

Catherine Such

David Widmark

Board of Commissioners

Harriet Cormack Chair, Board of

Commissioners

A Report to the Community 3

Introduction

IN OUR FIRST REPORT AS HOME FORWARD, we tell you how our new name

reflects a renewed commitment to help people progress in their lives. This is

embodied in our third federal HOPE VI redevelopment and in recent actions to

link housing with work, help end homelessness, preserve public housing, and

increase housing choices.

Looking ahead, we introduce the strategic operations plan guiding us. You’ll

also find information about our finances, and demographics on who we serve.

But numbers, programs, and goals don’t tell the whole story. You’ll meet

children who created a soccer field, a man at home after living on the streets,

and a young woman on a bright new career path.

A home and a path to success can change lives.

AFTER 70 YE ARS of providing affordable housing in Multnomah

County, Oregon, the Housing Authority of Portland (HAP)

had outgrown its name, which was no longer geographically

accurate and did not adequately reflect our mission: to provide

community members with both a home and a way to move

forward in life.

With a charter from the Board of Commissioners and strong

community support, we developed a new identity that was

launched in May 2011. Our new name—Home Forward—tells

residents, business partners, and other community members

that we are a progressive enterprise committed to a better

tomorrow for the people we serve. Our logo, in vivid blue

and green, represents a flourishing home. And our tag line

does justice to HAP’s heritage by borrowing from our former

acronym: hope. access. potential.

Our new name and identity will make our communications

more consistent, efficient, and distinctive. They symbolize the

goals we have always championed: shelter and support for

those in need. They also reflect our renewed determination to

help lay the foundation for profound and positive change in

individuals, families, and the community as a whole.

Our New Identity

4 Home Forward

A Report to the Community 5

A NEW COMMUNIT Y is emerging in

Southwest Portland, offering hope and

opportunity for families seeking a path

to self-sufficient living.

Stephens Creek Crossing is a

comprehensive redevelopment of the

former Hillsdale Terrace, replacing 60

dilapidated public housing units and

greatly upgrading overall site conditions.

When completed in 2014, it will provide

122 affordable apartments of mixed

types and sizes, as well as offsite home

ownership through Habitat for Humanity.

In addition to a physical transformation,

Stephens Creek Crossing will provide the

means to transform lives. A Children’s

Center will offer classes and support

to strengthen families and help kids

succeed in school. Access to job training

and resources will help residents find

better employment and increase their

income. Health and wellness education

will promote healthy living. Tying it all

together will be a network of bike and

walking paths, community gardens, and

improved access to the surrounding

neighborhood—all designed to engage

returning and new residents with their

surroundings and each other.

Stephens Creek Crossing is Home

Forward’s third HOPE VI project,

funded in part by a 2011 grant from

the U.S. Department of Housing and

Urban Development. Like the first

two redevelopments—New Columbia and

Humboldt Gardens—it will dramatically

improve living conditions and provide

the support and opportunities needed to

promote stable, successful lives.

Stephens Creek Crossing: A Community of Opportunity

“I see a bridge...a bridge

between neighbors and

residents...a bridge from

poverty to opportunity...

and a bridge from despair

to hope.”

R E V . J E N N I F E R B R O W N E L L

Hillsdale Community Church, United Church of Christ,

at the wall raising for the new community.

6 Home Forward

Linking Housing with Work A pilot project started by Home

Forward and its workforce partners

in 2010 helps residents move toward

self-sufficiency by providing work

orientation, skills training, and job

placement and support. A team

approach encourages participants

to help each other. Income has risen

dramatically for those taking part.

The successful pilot led to a $5.5

million U.S. Department of Labor grant

in 2012 to fund a similar program

for nearly 500 housing authority

residents in the Portland metro area.

Worksystems, Inc. will be the lead, in

partnership with Home Forward, three

other housing authorities, and two

other workforce agencies.

Ending HomelessnessBud Clark Commons opened in 2011, a

cornerstone of the City and County’s Ten-

Year Plan to End Homelessness. This $40

million partnership between the Portland

Housing Bureau, Home Forward, Transition

Projects, and Multnomah County integrates

housing, health, and other support services

for vulnerable community members. It

encompasses 130 apartments for permanent

supportive housing, a day resource center,

and a 90-bed men’s shelter. In its first year, this

innovative facility met all outcome expectations.

Short Term Rent Assistance (STRA) is another

joint program (Home Forward, Multnomah

County, Portland, and Gresham) to prevent

homelessness. In 2011-12, it helped 5,787

people find emergency temporary shelter, avoid

eviction, or obtain permanent housing. Over

78 percent of the households that received

assistance to keep or find housing still lived

there 12 months later, demonstrating how this

financial bridge leads to long-term solutions.

Increasing Housing ChoicesChanges to the Housing Choice

Voucher Program (Section 8) encourage

more landlords to participate, increasing

housing choices for renters. By paying

higher rental subsidies in areas with

higher housing costs, we expand rental

opportunities to more parts of the

community. Other landlord incentives

include a one-time payment for each

unit rented in these areas, more flexible

lease terms, and a guarantee fund

against property damage.

In Review

Preserving Public HousingHome Forward has completed the

work envisioned in the Public Housing

Preservation Initiative launched in 2007.

This involved replacing units that were

inefficient to operate, making $30

million of capital improvements to family

housing properties, and increasing the

number of available units. The result

is a safer, more sustainable public

housing supply. We will now focus on

the significant capital improvements

needed at the 10 high-rise buildings

that provide homes for seniors and

people with disabilities.

Kids from Tamarack Apartments and New Columbia took the ball

in their hands by applying for one of Home Forward’s Neighbor-to

Neighbor grants, offered to residents who propose community-

building projects. Their idea—a new soccer field—was a winner. Now

in full swing, the field not only brings neighbors together, but also has

support from the Timbers Army, who coach and donate equipment.

A Report to the Community 7

R E S I D E N T S P O T L I G H T

THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

A LWAYS E XC E E D S T H E S U PPLY.

This is especially true in the current

economy. Like the rest of the

community, Home Forward must

do more with less, now and into

the foreseeable future. This means

using scarce resources wisely

and effectively.

Over the last two years, we have

given considerable thought to how

we can best meet these challenges.

The result is a strategic operations

plan that draws on our Moving to

Work deregulation flexibility and

defines our commitment to four

major goals, each with specific

objectives, priority initiatives, and

measures of success.

Our Future

During years of hard times, Jonathan lived on the streets. “It doesn’t

take much to fall down,” he says. “It can happen to anyone.” Then

he found a home at Bud Clark Commons. Some things are still a

challenge, but he is determined to do well. “This place means the

world to me. I am a happy, happy man.”

R E S I D E N T S P O T L I G H T

8 Home Forward

A Report to the Community 9

Goal 1

We will deploy our resources more intentionally, focusing our

priorities and aligning with other support services to have

greater impact and serve more households.

This includes:

• Implementing new waiting list preferences and

processes for allocating rent assistance

• Strengthening our engagement with community partners

• Continuing to support the Ten-Year Plan to

End Homelessness

• Increasing the number of households served by five

percent by 2016

Goal 2

We will increase the number of housing units through

preservation, development, and acquisition.

This includes:

• By 2016, adding 200 new housing units through

acquisition and development

• Increasing the financial and physical stability of existing

housing stock

Our Future

Goal 3

We will strengthen our relationship with the people we serve

by increasing mutual accountability and better connecting

them to vital community services.

This includes:

• Developing a community compact with every

household that defines mutual respect, communication,

learning, and support

• Implementing projects that support families

and children

• Providing the support needed to help people age

at home

Goal 4

We will increase our efficiency, embrace our new identity, and

transform our organizational structure and culture.

This includes:

• Completing an organizational assessment and making

recommended changes

• Promoting leadership and staff growth and improving

internal communications

10 Home Forward

Financials

*Does not include 1,034 households that are counted in Traditional Rent Assistance and also live at one of Home Forward’s affordable apartment communities. Data current as of December 2012.

Section 8 Rent Assistance

Public Housing

Other HUD Grants

Total HUD Revenue

Rental Income

State, Local and Other Grants

Other Operating Revenue

Total Operating Revenue

HUD Capital Grants

Local Capital Grants

Other Income

Total Agency Funding

Home Forward Operating Revenue

Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

$69,150,992

9,437,927

6,952,509

85,541,428

14,141,939

4,006,402

5,117,377

$108,807,146

3,508,143

725,703

235,799

$113,276,791

Funding

2

3

4

5

1 Traditional Rent Assistance

2 Non-Traditional Rent Assistance

3 Public Housing

4 Affordable Housing*

5 Master Leased/Special Needs

Total Households Served

9,273

597

2,595

2,189

514

15,168

Households Served

1

15,168Total

Households Served

Cash and Investments

Other Assets

Land, Structures & Equipment, net

Total Assets

Home ForwardFiscal Year Ending

March 31, 2012 (audited)

$43,412,066

169,178,370

142,585,772

$355,176,208

Affiliated Limited Partnerships*

March 31, 2012 (interim unaudited)

$21,567,973

4,261,317

246,350,806

$272,180,096

*Home Forward is the general and managing partner of the 19 properties that constitute the financial data represented. Further financial information associated with these properties can be found in Home Forward’s annual audited financial report on our website.

Assets

A Report to the Community 11

As an unemployed single mom, Jennifer felt her prospects were

dim. Then Home Forward and its workforce partners offered

a helping hand with career training and placement, and she

firmly grasped it. She now works full-time as a certified medical

assistant and is saving to buy a home. “This opportunity was life-

changing for me,“ Jennifer says.

Program Glossary

Traditional Rent Assistance: Households pay an affordable portion of their income for rent and their voucher pays the difference. Programs include tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), vouchers for homeless veterans (VASH), special needs vouchers (Shelter Plus Care), and local project-based vouchers (more than 1,200 vouchers that have been reassigned from the Housing Choice Voucher tenant-based pool and are used by community partners and Home Forward at various apartment communities). Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Non-Traditional Rent Assistance: Short- and medium-term help with rent payments and other expenses related to securing and keeping a home. Programs include short-term rent assistance and rent assistance paired with services or support from a community partner. Supported with local, state, and federal funds.

Public Housing: Apartment communities operated with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Residents pay an affordable percentage of their income toward rent.

Affordable Housing: Apartment communities purchased or developed with a variety of funding sources, including tax credits and bonds. Below-market rents are affordable to residents earning between 0 and 80 percent of the area median income. Affordability levels vary by apartment community.

Master Leased/Special Needs Housing: Apartment communities, group homes, and shelter beds that primarily serve populations with special needs, including people without a home. Home Forward master leases these properties to providers who operate the real estate and programs at the sites.

1

2

3

4

5

R E S I D E N T S P O T L I G H T

After 70 years, Home Forward remains true to the

goals we have always championed — shelter

and support for our neighbors

in need. By providing the essentials of a home,

we enable individuals and families to move forward

in life. Today, we are more committed than ever

to serving our community of Multnomah County by

promoting hope, access and the

potential for a better tomorrow.

M A I N T E L 503.802.8300 T T Y 503.802.8554 homeforward.org