Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs) are a great way expand Portland’s housing options and increase density in single-family neighborhoods without requiring demolition of existing homes or constructing new multi-family housing units. ADU development in Portland to date has largely been an exercise for households with higher than average incomes and strong interest in the design and… Read more
As of Summer 2018, Enhabit concluded a pilot program with Multnomah County to house families experiencing homelessness. Families are now housed in four ADUs in four Portland backyards. Portland’s Housing Problem The number of families experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County is at a record high and we lack an adequate number of affordable units to… Read more
You may know them as granny flats, mother-in-law units, backyard cottages, or even tiny houses. When located on the property of a single family home, these are all part of a category of living spaces called Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs for short. Often ADUs are standalone homes in a backyard, or are apartments converted… Read more
In Part I, we explored outdoor tasks to improve your home’s efficiency and resilience as you prepare for winter. Here we point out a number of things you can do to prep your home for winter from inside, even as the weather outside turns cool and wet. From tuning your heater to safeguarding against fire,… Read more
Days are shortening, temperatures are dropping—and winter is just around the corner. Grab a coffee or a hot apple cider, put on your favorite flannel, and cuddle up to your sweetie because we’ve got you covered when it comes to the best tips for keeping toasty indoors. 1. Take advantage of winter sun. Yes, the… Read more
Take the time now to prepare your home for the upcoming winter, starting with the home’s exterior before heavy rains start. Make the most of your time by focusing on these key tasks each fall to make your home resilient against winter extremes. Inspect and shore up the exterior One of the most important fall… Read more
You could earn good money from new solar panels for eight years, covering up to 80% of your solar system cost. If you live in Washington and you’ve been thinking about going solar, now is a good time to act. The Washington State Legislature passed a revised production incentive program on July 1, 2017. Enjoy… Read more
Air conditioner efficiency ratings are designed to give buyers a good sense of system efficiency, similar to the way a miles-per-gallon rating measures fuel efficiency of cars. It’s good to get familiar with the two different rating systems so you’ll have a better idea of what to expect when considering a new cooling system. Seasonal… Read more
Did you know that here in Oregon there were more than 14,000 known earthquakes from 1841 to 2002? Or that Geological evidence shows large subduction zone earthquakes struck Oregon’s coast every 300-800 years, back as long as 11,000 years? Far more common are smaller, but sometimes damaging, quakes that rock Portland and the Willamette Valley,… Read more
Home seismic retrofits target parts of the home that are most likely to fail, and add additional materials and fasteners for greater strength. Every older home is different, and upgrades typically fall into two categories and price points. 1. Prescriptive path: For suitable homes with strong foundations and meeting other criteria, this path includes upgrades… Read more