Franklin Towers Residents to Vacate Due to Toxic Chemicals

The Portland Housing Authority is relocating 150 residents from the historic building for a $50 million renovation project.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Apartments

Franklin Towers Residents to Vacate Due to Toxic Chemicals

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Do you trust your local government to provide adequate support when public housing requires major evacuations?

The Portland Housing Authority has ordered an evacuation of all 150 residents from the historic 16-story Franklin Towers due to the presence of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls. The relocation process is expected to last six months as the authority clears the building for a major $50 million renovation.

Why it matters

The presence of toxic chemicals in the building structure, soil, and air requires the 57-year-old complex to be completely unoccupied to perform necessary system overhauls safely. The renovation aims to modernize infrastructure to avoid future service disruptions and increase the energy efficiency of the historic site.

The evacuation affects 150 low-income residents living in the 57-year-old building, which is currently undergoing a project delayed by at least one year. While the authority covers all moving costs, residents will continue to pay 30% of their income toward rent in their new temporary housing.

The players

Portland Housing Authority

The local agency responsible for managing subsidized housing and maintaining public facilities in Portland.

The details

Polychlorinated biphenyls were identified in the building, soil, and air, necessitating a full-scale vacancy to remediate the site. The Portland Housing Authority is working with local affordable housing groups to facilitate relocation while maintaining existing rent subsidies for all families. The upcoming $50 million project will focus on core structural and energy efficiency upgrades that were not possible while the building was occupied.

1969: Franklin Towers was originally constructed.
2022: The complex experienced a weekslong electrical outage.
2024: The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
October 6, 2026: The housing authority notified residents of the mandatory relocation.
Next six months: The authority plans to complete the relocation of all residents.

The Home Front

The 57-year-old complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which adds layers of complexity to structural renovations. Managing toxic chemical remediation in aging government-subsidized housing is a significant challenge for local authorities balancing history with safety.

Residents should review the relocation notice provided on October 6 and coordinate with the Portland Housing Authority regarding moving cost coverage. Families should confirm that their existing housing subsidy remains intact throughout the transition to temporary accommodations.

The takeaway

The mandatory evacuation is an effort to remediate harmful environmental hazards found within the building's infrastructure. Affected residents should keep all official correspondence regarding their relocation and subsidy status in a single, accessible file throughout the move.