SLB and USDA Expand Mass Timber Accelerator Program to Portland, OR, and Santa Monica, CA

On Friday, the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) and the USDA Forest Service said they are expanding their Accelerator Cities Program to promote affordable, low-carbon building through wood construction. The next phase adds new city-led initiatives in Portland, Oregon, and Santa Monica, California, building on earlier collaborations in Boston, Georgia, and New York City.

The program provides funding, technical guidance, and peer learning aimed at broadening wood design and construction. SLB noted that the work is focused on supporting housing access, reducing embodied carbon, and strengthening local economies.

Cees de Jager, president and CEO of the Softwood Lumber Board, said, “Each city we partner with brings new insights into how mass timber can help meet housing, sustainability, and economic goals. Through the Accelerator Cities Program, we’re helping local leaders and building professionals demonstrate that wood construction is not only viable—it’s a scalable solution for sustainable, affordable development.”

Portland

The City of Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) launched a Pilot Mass Timber Feasibility Studies Grant Program, supported by $450,000 in combined funding from the SLB, the Forest Service, and the city. Beginning in 2026, selected development teams will complete feasibility analyses comparing mass timber with conventional materials on design, cost, and carbon performance in multifamily and related commercial projects.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is launching the Santa Monica Mass Timber Accelerator to expand the use of sustainable materials across local development. Funded at $115,000 by the SLB, the Forest Service, and the city, the initiative will distribute competitive grants for early-phase feasibility studies on mass timber applications in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings.