Company Profile
Home Forward
Company Overview
After 70 years, Home Forward remains true to the goals we have always championed — shelter and support for our neighbors in need.
The mission of Home Forward is to assure that the people of the community are sheltered. Home Forward has a special responsibility to those who encounter barriers to housing because of income, disability or special need. Home Forward will continue to promote, operate and develop affordable housing that engenders stability, self-sufficiency, self-respect and pride in its residents and represents a long-term community asset. Home Forward will be a community leader to create public commitment, policy and funding to preserve and develop affordable housing.
Hope.
We believe that everyone deserves a roof over their head, and that everyone is capable of improving their lives, regardless of their current situation.
Access.
We strive to constantly improve our properties and programs to better serve both our residents and the communities where they live.
Potential.
We collaborate with more than 100 partner organizations: public, private, and nonprofit organizations that share our core values and goals.
Today, we are more committed than ever to serving the citizens of Multnomah County by promoting hope, access and the potential for a better tomorrow.
Home Forward comprises a diverse and talented team, working cooperatively to realize our mission based on
the following values:
Cornerstone: Respect, Fairness, Honesty
Organizational: Service, Support, Stewardship
Business: Partnership, Innovation, Excellence
Company History
The Housing Authority of Portland (Home Forward’s original name) was created by the Portland City Council on December 11, 1941 — just four days after the United States entered World War II. With nearby shipbuilding factories gearing up for the war effort, Portland quickly needed safe and affordable housing for the scores of people streaming into the region for work. In its first two years, the agency created housing for 72,000 people: workers in the shipyards and foundries, and the local businesses that sprung up to serve the new residents and their families.
Since those auspicious beginnings, the agency has continued to be a national leader in developing innovative ways to deliver affordable housing and social services to people in need. In 1991, we served about 8,500 households and 20,000 residents. Today, that number has grown to include some 15,000 households and more than 33,000 residents.
Home Forward is one of only 39 (out of more than 3,000) housing authorities nationwide that participates in the federal Moving to Work program authorized by Congress. As a recognition of past successes, Moving to Work agencies are granted a greater degree of regulatory flexibility in order to innovate new approaches to fulfilling their mission. In recent years, Home Forward has also been the recipient of federal HOPE VI grants for the major revitalization of three different public housing properties in our service area.
Benefits
Home Forward offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance. We offer Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) for all employee groups, as well as Deferred Compensation (457b) through The Standard and Advantis.
In addition, education/ training reimbursement is available as well as flexible spending plans, transit plans, an employee assistance programs.