Our Commitment to Climate Action

On March 15, 2023, CCC’s board of directors formally and unanimously adopted an organizational commitment to climate action.

We believe our commitment to climate action strengthens, protects and amplifies our mission of ending homelessness. Our call to action on environmental justice is a call for aligning our organizational actions with our core values, and it is a call for acknowledging the environmental context in which we operate our mission.

CCC is committed to a healthy, equitable, and climate-safe future for all our clients and staff. We pledge to protect environmental resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease vulnerability to the ecological and economic hazards of climate change. This work supports our mission by improving our financial stability, fostering community resilience, and addressing disparities spurred by the climate crisis.

Why It Matters Leading with Purpose Focus Areas Recent Progress Supporters

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What Climate Action Means for CCC

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Leadership in Climate Action

CCC has taken bold steps to integrate climate action into our mission. We’ve formalized a Department of Climate Action to lead initiatives such as transitioning to all-electric, net-zero-ready buildings, implementing deep energy and seismic retrofits, adopting cutting-edge technologies like central heat pump water heating systems, and decarbonizing our fleet. We’re lowering utility costs for low-income residents, engaging in energy policy discussions, improving access to clean transportation, and investing in community solar to ensure the benefits of clean technology reach those who need them most.

Our commitments to climate action and community well-being work together to strengthen housing stability, improve health outcomes, and expand workforce development opportunities. For funders, partnering with CCC means investing in innovative, comprehensive solutions that support vulnerable communities and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Current Focus Areas

Facilities: Health, safety and energy improvements in CCC buildings.

Fleet: Planning for electrification of CCC’s fleet and installation of EV charging infrastructure.

Fuels: Decarbonization of buildings and advancing adoption of renewable energy.

Framework: Collaborative planning processes to improve organizational climate resilience.

Recent Progress

Facilities

Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Program: Reducing energy and water use through behavior, operations, and maintenance improvements. Completed 93 Operation and Maintenance (O&M) projects across 8 buildings in 2023–2024. Projected annual energy savings: 3–5%.
Central Heat Pump Water Heating Systems: Partnering with Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) to pilot central heat pump hot water systems in CCC housing.
Minisplit Installs: Partnering with Verde Builds and Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) to install minisplit heat pumps in CCC housing.
PCEF Capital Improvements: Implementing $5.5 million in capital upgrades and energy efficiency measures across four existing properties serving low-income residents.
Post-Occupancy Evaluations: Conducting evaluations of new construction and major retrofits to enhance efficiency standards and advance sustainability learnings.
Sustainability Goals: Developing goals for new construction and retrofits to create environmentally just housing that is affordable, resilient, efficient, and people-centered.

Fleet

PCEF Madrona Clean Fleet Depot: Establishing CCC’s first electric ready fleet depot with Level 2 charging stations for up to 56 EVs. Purchasing four new EVs to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Electrification Goals: On track to electrify 10 out of 130 vehicles by the end of 2025.
PGE Drive Change Fund: Installed 11 Level 2 EV charging stations at multifamily properties for residents and staff.
GoForth Carshare: Partnered to launch an electric carshare program for low-income residents in SE Portland.
Forth CBO Carshare Program: Piloting a carshare program for staff of community-based organizations (CBOs).

Fuels

Community Solar: Partnering with Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) and Oregon Clean Power Coop (OCPC) to bring community solar benefits to up to 300 low-income subscribers in CCC housing.
Solar Photovoltaics (PV): Generating over 570,000 kWh of clean energy annually across the CCC portfolio, with additional solar projects in development.
Building Decarbonization Study: Seeking funding and partnerships to study the scope of work needed to decarbonize existing CCC buildings while enhancing climate and disaster resilience.

Framework

Enterprise PDaRA Tool: Developing a property database and Risk Assessment (PDaRA) Tool to help identify building risks and prioritize strategies for resilience improvements to reduce potential losses.
Resident Readiness Guide: Developing educational resources to help residents stay safe during climate disasters and emergencies.
PCEF Heat Pump AC Units: Distributing 676 heat pump AC units over 5 years to medically vulnerable, low-income residents to mitigate extreme heat impacts.

Climate Action Supporters

Thank you to all the partners, funders and collaborators that have supported CCC’s climate action efforts over the last few years.

If you’re interested in becoming a funder or collaborator, please reach out to Rachel Maas, Director of Climate Action, at rachel.maas@cconcern.org.