Kymberly Horner Leads PCRI with Vision & Commitment

Kymberly Horner has served as Executive Director of Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI) since July 2019, becoming only the second person to hold the post in the organization’s nearly three decades of service. Under her leadership, PCRI has continued its mission of providing affordable housing, creating pathways to homeownership, and promoting wealth-building for communities historically disenfranchised in Portland, particularly people of color.

Horner grew up in Westlake Village, California, where civic engagement was a part of daily life. Her father served as Mayor and as a City Councilmember for 18 years, giving Horner an early understanding of the role local leadership can play in shaping communities. She got her start in public service working for California Congressman Brad Sherman, assisting constituents and learning how to navigate governmental processes to make services accessible.

Her career path then led her to the City of Oxnard, where she spent over 17 years in local government, most recently as Economic Development Director. In that role, she oversaw downtown revitalization, business attraction and retention, and retail development. Horner has said those experiences taught her how to connect economic development with long-term community stability—a lesson she has carried into her work at PCRI.

Since joining PCRI, Horner has guided the organization through a period of both challenge and growth. The nonprofit owns and operates over 2000 doors in North and Northeast Portland, neighborhoods that have seen dramatic increases in property values and displacement pressures. She has emphasized maintaining a strong organizational foundation to manage during economically challenging times, ensuring PCRI can continue serving the residents who rely on its programs.

Early in her tenure, Horner oversaw the financing, construction, and community planning for King + Parks, a 70-unit affordable housing rental project in the Piedmont neighborhood. Despite the disruptions of COVID-19, the project moved forward successfully, providing much-needed rental units and reinforcing PCRI’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive community development. Between 2019 and 2020, she and her team also completed two separate for-sale townhome projects, enabling approximately 10 income-qualified families to achieve homeownership.

Horner’s leadership extends beyond new construction. Her team is now turning its attention to the development of 12 new homeownership units on four parcels owned by PCRI. Aged units will be removed to make way for modern homes, which will be offered to lower- to middle-income qualified residents once construction is complete. This effort builds on PCRI’s broader commitment to creating wealth-building opportunities for Portland residents, particularly those impacted by decades of gentrification.

At the same time, PCRI has invested in its existing housing portfolio. The organization recently restored 16 single-family homes using grants from the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), and plans to move another 50 single-family homes into PCEF grant funding pending approval. Additional homes will receive support from Constructing Hope, a like-minded organization dedicated to rebuilding the lives of people in the community. These efforts highlight Horner’s strategic focus on not just building new units, but also sustaining and improving existing housing stock.

Horner is also leading several larger-scale initiatives. The Williams & Russell redevelopment will bring 85 rental units and a mix of homeownership opportunities to a historic site in North/Northeast Portland. Horner personally secured $2 million in Congressional earmark funding for the project, demonstrating her ability to leverage federal resources to meet local needs. Meanwhile, Kafoury Court, a 40-unit Permanent Supportive Housing project scheduled to open in 2025, will provide residents coming out of chronic homelessness with safe, dignified, and beautifully designed housing.

For Horner, housing is more than just structures—it’s about opportunity. She has worked to secure millions in grants supporting both development projects and day-to-day operations, ensuring PCRI’s long-term financial stability. “PCRI’s mission isn’t just about building units,” she told the Portland Observer. “It’s about creating opportunities for families to return, to thrive, and to build wealth that has been denied to them for generations.”

Horner’s influence extends well beyond her immediate projects. She serves as Vice-Chair of Housing Oregon, Chair of the NAACP Portland Branch Housing Committee, and is active in numerous organizations, including the National Association of Minority Contractors, the Affordable Housing Industry Anti-Racism Collaborative, and The Links, Inc. She frequently participates on panels and podcasts, sharing insights on affordable housing, wealth creation, and community development.

Ernie Warren, PCRI’s longtime general counsel, noted the complexity of Horner’s work. “Kymberly has stepped into a role that requires not only skill but vision,” he said. “She understands that housing is the foundation of stability, and she’s fighting to make sure families in this community have access to it.”

Horner also prioritizes community engagement. Residents are invited to participate in design forums and planning sessions, ensuring that new developments reflect neighborhood needs and priorities. PCRI’s projects are also designed to integrate services, like workforce training and economic empowerment programs, that support residents in building long-term security.

The Pathway 1000 initiative remains central to PCRI’s vision. The plan calls for the creation of 200 rental homes and 800 units for individual ownership over ten years. Horner sees these goals as achievable through thoughtful development, strategic partnerships, and active community involvement.

As housing costs continue to rise and displacement pressures grow in Portland, PCRI’s work has never been more critical. Horner emphasizes that solutions require both vision and collaboration. “The community needs to be part of the solution,” she said. “There’s a role for every leader, every partner, and every neighbor who cares about Portland’s future. Together, we can make sure families have not only housing, but a real chance to prosper.”

Under Kymberly Horner’s leadership, PCRI has strengthened its operational capacity, advanced major development projects, and expanded its portfolio of rehabilitated and newly built homes. Her work exemplifies the power of strategic leadership, community engagement, and a commitment to justice in housing. For Portlanders seeking stability, opportunity, and a pathway to homeownership, PCRI under Horner’s guidance remains a vital resource—and a beacon of hope.