Development Assistance

Community Livability Grant Program

The Portland Development Commission (PDC) provides grants for capital improvement projects that implement community livability goals in urban renewal areas (URAs). Community livability projects will vary from URA to URA, but generally may include parks & open space, traffic calming, community facilities, and historic preservation & urban design projects.

PDC will issue an Announcement of Available Funds annually in each URA where funds are available. That announcement will specify the program focus, evaluation process, and timeline for implementation. The announcement will specify the criteria for selection for a grant.

Eligible Purpose

Funding for this program is through tax increment financing (TIF) and, therefore, is tied to the infrastructure and physical improvements (including tenant improvements) to real property within URAs. Funds shall not be used for ongoing administration, maintenance costs, or working capital.

Eligible Grantee

Neighborhood associations, business associations, and public or nonprofit tax-exempt entities are eligible, and must agree to continuously provide the community benefit funded by the Grant for a minimum of two (2) years after project completion. Private property owners and for profit entities may only be considered eligible if certain conditions are met:

Service Area

All URAs, as funding is available. Currently, this program is funded in the Interstate Corridor URA and Lents Town Center URA.

Product Guidelines and Requirements

General criteria that would apply for all projects include:

• maximum amount of $50,000, although typically between $5,000 and $25,000
• demonstrate community support (through letters and other documentation)
• feasible for the budget proposed, either through detailed budgets or contractor estimates
• support community livability goals of the URA Plan
• demonstrate financial need for PDC funding
• can be completed within one year of grant award
• leverage other funds or in-kind donations

An evaluation committee of PDC staff and representatives from the community (generally the URA Advisory Committee) will review all proposals received and recommend which proposals will receive an allocation of funds. The PDC Urban Development Director, or designee, will make the final decision on the allocation of funds.

Grant awards are disbursed on an expense reimbursement basis. The grantee is responsible for paying vendor and subcontractor invoices in full, submitting a copy of the paid invoice(s) to PDC along with a proof of payment for reimbursement by PDC up to the maximum amount awarded. In certain circumstances, PDC may make exceptions to the disbursement reimbursement practice if the Grantee can demonstrate that awaiting the 2-3 week period for reimbursement by PDC for expenses incurred will result in a cash flow problem or other hardship.