Author Archive
Hello everyone! We have a brand new team of housing counselors here at PCRI so we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves. At this time, while the team is getting fully trained and certified, we are not conducting Homeownership Orientations or individual counseling sessions. However, we hope to resume those services later in the Spring/Summer and will send out another email when they are available. Anyone who would like more immediate housing counseling can reach out to one of our partner agencies below:
- African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH)
- Hacienda Community Development Corporation
- Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
- Proud Ground
- Portland Housing Center
We hope you’ll take a moment to meet the new PCRI Homeownership Team below, and we look forward to working with you all very soon!
Meagan Bakker, Homeownership Program Coordinator
Hey I’m Meagan, I am from Bend and I attended the University of Oregon, Go Ducks! I moved to Portland a few years ago to be closer to family and to start a career. Prior to this role, I was working for a Public Housing Authority, where I worked closely with the tenants on the affordable housing program. From this experience I gained a knowledge and passion in the necessity that stable housing provides. I am thrilled to be a part of the PCRI team, and I look forward to helping buyers achieve their dreams of homeownership.
Laura Dickerson, Homeownership Program Coordinator
Let’s get your money right and that home tight! Hello, I am Laura. I am a native Portlander and Portland resident for…a long time. I have worked in the tech industry as an educator and coder, and now I am pivoting to homeownership and wealth-building. My goal is to give back and guide folks on the path to the generational wealth that homeownership and understanding money can bring. I look forward to helping you on your journey.
Vera Lewis, Homeownership Program Coordinator
Hi, I’m Vera! Although I was born/raised in North Portland and never lived any place else, I’m a southern girl at heart. I don’t like rain. I’m a foodie who loves to dance, sing, and spend time with my family. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and I’m a self-proclaimed “compassion guru”. Homeownership is a true passion of mine and being able to partner with families to achieve their homeownership dreams and also bring back generational wealth to my community is ever so important to me. I’m also excited to take on the role of IDA Specialist for the organization; if you’re currently a saver, I’ll be in touch directly. Did I mention I’m a former PCRI Resident and Homeownership graduate! I’m beyond excited to partner with you on your journey and dream to homeownership. Let’s get started!
Michelle Manning, Homeownership Program Coordinator
My name is Michelle and I’m stoked to be a part of PCRI’s Homeownership Team. I grew up in San Francisco, but Portland is now my home (August will mark 15 years since I moved to the Rose City). Previously, I was an academic advisor with a local university, where I guided students through the process of earning their Bachelor’s degrees. Like earning a degree, homeownership is a huge accomplishment that can positively impact families for generations, creating stability and opportunities to grow wealth. I was fortunate enough to become a first-time homeowner a few years ago, so I also know first-hand how intimidating the homebuying process can be. All of these reasons are why I’m so excited to be with PCRI to support families and individuals going through the homeownership process!
Staci White, Homeownership Program Coordinator
I’m Staci and I am originally from Tacoma, WA. I have been in Portland since January of 2010. I studied at Portland Community College, then moved on to attend Portland State University and graduated with a degree in Community Development. Before PCRI I was doing youth work which was rewarding and can be challenging. During that period I was able to evolve and nurture youth to be who they want to be in the world. Why PCRI for me? Well, I am grateful to be in a position to help Black, people of color and low-income folks define their values of what community and home feel like for them. I believe this notion will give folks a sense of belonging and increase more generational wealth. Overall, I’m excited about this new journey to help families become first-time homeowners.
We are creating our new website and we might experience occasional downtimes. Please visit us again later and sorry for the inconvenience!
New Site coming in 2022!
When: Saturday, September 18, 10:00AM-1:00PM
Staggered Check In: To avoid a crowd at check in, arrive anytime between 10:00 – 10:30am for check in. Event will run until 1:00 pm.
Where: We will be meeting at King Elementary School Park, located on the backside of the school, and traveling to the nearby Martin Luther King Street to clean up litter along the sidewalk. The address of King School Park is as follows: NE 6th Ave & NE Humboldt St, Portland, OR 97211 MAP LINK.
Sign Up At The Link Below
https://www.solveoregon.org/opportunity/a0C1I00000QFxtIUAT
Location: Portland, 97211
Volunteer Limit: 40
Spots Remaining: 35
Opportunity Leader: Nia McFerrin // please contact Nia McFerrin at niamcferrin@gmail.com
Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up.
| Hello community, We need you on Saturday, September 18th to help us clean up the first of many neighborhoods! With the massive amount of inquiries to volunteer we figured it’s time to start utilizing that support in other ways. So we teamed up with Solve to put together this clean up event starting at King Elementary at 10am, and pick up trash along MLK Blvd and close surrounding areas. We also want to incentivize your efforts! So we partnered with Pizza Schmizza to provide vouchers to every volunteer, which can be redeemed for two slices of pizza and a soft drink/pint of beer at 7th and NE Broadway location (one of three Black-owned Pizza Schmizza locations in Portland). Sign up you and your youths (13 and older) to be a part of this much needed neighborhood clean up by clicking the “Sign Up Here” button below. It’ll take you to the Taking Ownership PDX website homepage where you will see more details and a link to sign up. See you all there! |
I, Kymberly Horner, Executive Director of Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI), am writing to express my support for the impact the Oregon Cares Fund (a $62 million state fund) has had on Black Oregonians and their businesses. The huge need for targeted funds such as these is essential to help enable Black individuals and families, Black-owned businesses, and Black-led non-profits, such as PCRI, continue to make a difference in the Black Community despite being hit by the hardships that the spread of COVID-19 has created.
Formed in 1992 in response to a housing crisis, PCRI is a non-profit community development organization and the largest provider of affordable housing and HUD certified housing services for low-income residents in North and Northeast Portland. Additionally, it is the first Black-led affordable housing provider focused on Portland’s African American community.
The $200,000 grant provided by the Oregon Cares Fund helped soften the severe and swift impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on many Portlanders that were already struggling with housing in our community.
With the aid of these funds, we’ve been able to continue our mission to help families in need through the operation of our housing programs that foster housing stability and homeownership. One of these initiatives is Pathway 1000.
The Pathway 1000 initiative seeks to build prosperity for African-Americans and others living in Portland’s North and Northeast Neighborhoods by creating 1,000 affordable homes, thousands of living wage jobs, business growth, and development for those who have been displaced or are in danger of displacement from North and Northeast Portland.
As an organization committed to community economic development, community partnerships, community engagement, and a community choice of housing options that are both stable and healthy in addition to being economically and culturally diverse; we support the Oregon Cares Fund and the great things these resources have done to help the Black Community.
Warm regards,
Kymberly Horner, Executive Director
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiative, Inc. (PCRI)
Support Funding for the Oregon IDA Initiative! Click here!
Take a moment to email your state legislators and ask them to support the Oregon IDA Initiative in the second special session.
Free Community Covid-19 Testing
For Immigrants and Refugees and Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color (BIPOC)
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2020 12PM – 6PM
Village Church 330 SW Murray Blvd Beaverton, OR 97005
No appointments, insurance, or symptoms needed.
For more information click here
For printable PDF version click here
COVID-19 Rent Relief Fund: 211info.org OPEN ONLY 7/21/20. If you have had income loss due to COVID get your name on the rent assistance list today. This list does not open often. Note: The 211info waitlist for the COVID-19 Rent Relief Fund is CLOSED.
The waitlist opens periodically; if it’s closed, continue to check back regularly for updates. Being placed on the waitlist does not guarantee assistance.
COVID-19 FINANCIAL RELIEF PROGRAM INFORMATION
HOUSING/SHELTER MULTNOMAH COUNTY COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM INFORMATION https://www.211info.org/multco-rent
1 mile from you (view map for COVID-19 FINANCIAL RELIEF PROGRAM INFORMATION)
CALL: 211 or 1-866-698-6155 (Language interpreters available by phone)
TTY: dial 711 and call 1-866-698-6155
TEXT: your zip code to 898211 (TXT211) (text available English and Spanish)
EMAIL: help@211info.org (email available in English and Spanish)
For general information about 211 Covid 19 resources go here: https://covid19.211info.org/
The Pantries are located at:
Park Terrace Community Center. 315 N. Alberta St.
Margaret Carter Community Center. 626 NE Brazee St.
Maya Angelou Community Center. 4012 N Borthwick Ave.
Maya Angelou Community Center. 4012 N Borthwick Ave.
Park Terrace Community Center. 315 N. Alberta St.
Pantry hours: Wednesdays 10:30 AM – Noon.
For more information contact Victoria @ (503) 282-1359
Beatrice Morrow Community Center. 3340 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Pantry hours: Fridays 1PM – 2PM.
For more information contact Victoria @ (971) 279-2105
Margaret Carter Community Center. 626 NE Brazee St.
Pantry hours: Thursday 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more information contact Jasmine @ (971) 341-6047
Maya Angelou Community Center. 4012 N Borthwick Ave.
Pantry hours: Fridays 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more information contact Jasmine @ (971) 341-6047
Emergency Household Stabilization Funds Available Beginning April 27
April 21, 2020) – The Portland Housing Bureau has reallocated $1 million from its budget into a COVID-19 Emergency Household Stabilization Fund for households suffering a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will provide limited direct cash assistance to at least 2,000 households to help cover urgent needs like groceries, rent, utilities, and medical expenses.
$200,000 of these funds will be available to the public next week through an open application. The remaining funds are being distributed via internal referrals through a network of social service providers serving culturally specific communities, and individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
How to Apply
Households can apply for $250 in emergency assistance beginning Monday, April 27 at 10am by contacting 2-1-1 or going to https://www.211info.org/covid19. Applications from eligible households will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis. Assistance with language interpretation or accessibility is available.
211 staff will also be able to connect applicants to additional community resources and assistance, such as discounts for sewer and water charges, crisis vouchers, and the Utility Safety Net program offered by the Bureau of Environmental Services and the Portland Water Bureau.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Emergency Household Stabilization Fund assistance, a household must be experiencing a loss of employment, income, dependent care, or some other hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and earning no more than 50% Area Median Income prior to any loss of employment or income due to COVID-19.
Applicants will need to include documentation of the COVID-related hardship they are experiencing with their application, such as a letter from an employer, clients or customers, a healthcare provider, or school citing COVID-19 as a reason for reduced hours, termination, loss of business, school closure, loss of childcare, or inability to work, etc.
To access the application* and list of acceptable documentation, visit: https://www.211info.org/covid19
*Application available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Vietnamese.
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives Inc.