Build the Bench 2025
Oregon is facing a shortage of experienced affordable housing developers.
Oregon’s affordable housing development pipeline has expanded. But there aren’t enough experienced developers to meet demand for their skills. The shortage is intensifying pressures on community-based nonprofit housing providers. It is slowing our industry’s response to urgent housing needs. But in this capacity shortage, we see an opportunity—to grow the skilled and diverse workforce our industry needs.
We can help close our industry’s capacity gap and open pathways for women and people of color to pursue careers in affordable housing.
HDC is responding to this challenge by bringing housing development staff onto our team who are in early or transitional stages of their careers. We are investing in their training and development to prepare them to take on higher-level responsibilities. Women and people of color who join HDC’s development team in entry-level positions are receiving enhanced mentorship, while they work with nonprofit housing providers to develop affordable homes for vulnerable families and individuals.
You can help HDC train rising affordable housing talent by donating to Build the Bench 2025!
Your donation will help HDC continue to make expanded annual training investments in newer recruits—so that we can build the capacity of our team, fulfill requests for needed services from community housing providers, and support our whole industry to put available resources to work to meet urgent housing needs. To pledge your support, fill in your contact information and donation amount below. We will send you a pledge confirmation and payment options, via email, within one business day. HDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your donation is fully tax-deductible.