MPower Oregon

04/05/2017

Let's be blunt for a moment here: Politics is feeling more than a bit brutal. But on the home front, there are points of hopefulness and light. Enjoy one of them: Our interview with 's Jes Larson, available in written and audio formats. It's a fascinating look at the recent Affordable Housing Bond and a hint as to what the future may bring the Metro region!

Read our interview with one of the author's of Portland's successful Affordable Housing Bill.

03/21/2017

In our work facilitating sustainability and efficiency upgrades in affordable housing, MPower gets to interact with some truly amazing people! We wish we could you tell ALL of their stories, but here’s a taste of the sort of compassion we get to experience on a daily basis.

As we look further ahead into 2017, we want to give thanks for one of the often-hidden aspects of our work: Human contact. Much of our work here at MPower Oregon is both highly technical and—seemingly— impersonal: Researching the relative efficiencies of building materials, budgeting the efficient u...

03/17/2017

When science and politics mix: In 2015, Energy Star saved Americans over $34 billion. So...why is the Administration fighting to cut the program?

Evidently, President Trump and his environmental protection chief Scott Pruitt are just getting warmed up.Now they’ve set their sights on one of the most successful and noncontroversial energy-related programs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ever managed – Energy Star, a program tha

03/16/2017

Make no mistake: These examples of willful ignorance are difficult to read. But if you're energized by causes and , take heart. There is mounting proof that by and large, the marketplace "gets" clean energy, and that it's here to stay.

A preliminary budget proposal from the White House would eliminate federal leadership of Energy Star, a popular voluntary program for companies to seek labels for energy-efficient consumer products and appliances.

03/16/2017

Take a moment to watch this moving anecdote on the importance of affordable housing from OR Representative , (Democrat - District 10 - Central Coast). As he puts it so succinctly: "Housing's about people."

03/14/2017

Hey Portlanders! If affordable housing isn't on your radar, perhaps it should be.... Can you guess the five neighborhoods where 50% of renter households spend more than 50% of their income on rent?

Nearly 1 in 4 Portland-area households spend at least half their income on rent -- far more than what's considered affordable. Here are 13 neighborhoods with the largest concentrations of those households.

03/13/2017

Did you know the built environment creates over 40% of total carbon emissions? Find out how can save cities...and a whole lot more.

As we become a more urban society, the number of buildings will rise. Here's why that may be a good thing.

03/12/2017

Some light weekend reading for your perusal: This new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows why investments boost economic mobility, reduce , and improve health outcomes. So...why is it so chronically underfunded?

The Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) is an education, strategy and action hub for national organizations dedicated to adequate federal housing and community development funding for lower

03/10/2017

and neighborhood unite in a very response to . Way to go, Kenton!

The neighborhood association voted 178 to 75 in favor of a village of 14 tiny houses for homeless women. It is the first one initiated by the city.

03/09/2017

Outlook dire? Not so fast, we say: Building into will continue no matter what. Here are some ways small actions are adding up to larger changes for the good!

With 2017 still reasonably fresh, a quick survey of our colleagues and peers reveals an unusual unanimity: 2016 was not a great—or even a good—year. Many people are referencing the presidential election, an emotionally charged and historic event by any standards. Given this country’s two-party dicho...

03/08/2017

Need some tonic for the troops? A former Obama staffer talks about how to keep the ball rolling. Good, important, and actionable information contained here!

Lessons learned from working in the Obama administration will still be critical during the next four years.

03/07/2017

Swamped in ? Dig deeper and you'll find encouragement, like this story on how and is outstripping in Texas, of all places:

These two stories illustrate the precarious nature of fossil fuel jobs and the economic power of renewable energy.