Prosper Portland has created the Commercial Affordability Tenanting Program to address a recent dramatic increase in retail rents and decrease in vacancy rates in the city of Portland. The program seeks to reduce barriers to entry for underrepresented businesses, preserve the vitality of small businesses in Portland’s urban neighborhoods and advance our goal to build an equitable economy.

Priority businesses are those led by owners from underrepresented populations, particularly women and communities of color, and those in underserved communities. The program will be available this summer at Alberta Commons in NE Portland and Lents Town Center in SE Portland, offering access and assistance to qualified businesses in the form of an equitable application process, reduced rent, tenant improvement contributions and technical assistance.