Agenda Tracker: January 14th, 2025
Affordable housing... MLK Jr. Day... Collective bargaining... Council budget... Parks Levy... City Council committees... Demolition review... Albina Library reopening soon!
Dear Readers,
My apologies for the delay in getting this to you. On the bright side, Portland City Council is now holding evening sessions, giving us more accessible engagement opportunities, so technically, you’re still getting this before this week’s session (tonight at 6pm)! I’ll be revising my publishing schedule to reflect these changes.
This week’s focus on affordable housing highlights a troubling reality: we’re still falling short. While I’d like to embrace a “better late than never” mindset, the truth is currently leaning more toward “too little, too late.” Our ongoing failure to think, fund, build, and provide services at the necessary scale ensures that the housing crisis for low- and moderate-income residents will remain a neverending and ever-worsening challenge. At times, I feel hopeless.
However, I know we can do better; the choice is ours. This knowledge fuels my determination and reignites my hope. I will never stop fighting for a future where everyone has access to safe, stable, affordable housing.
Solving our housing crisis will require a multifaceted approach and a significant shift in priorities and policies. That’s a conversation I look forward to having with you soon.
Hope on, hope ever,
Chloe
Martin Luther King Jr. on Economic Justice
"Call it democracy, or call it democratic socialism, but there must be a better distribution of wealth within this country for all of God’s children." — MLK Jr. Speech to the Negro American Labor Council, 1961.When we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we unfailingly recall his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement—the marches, the speeches, the fight against segregation. But far too often, we forget King’s radical economic vision and his deep critique of capitalism. In his final years, he became one of the most outspoken critics of economic inequality in America, calling for a fundamental restructuring of society to ensure that wealth and power served the many, not just the privileged few.
King understood that racism and economic exploitation were intertwined. In a 1967 speech, he stated, "We must recognize that we can’t solve our problem now until there is a radical redistribution of economic and political power." His solution? The Poor People’s Campaign, an ambitious, multiracial movement demanding economic justice, fair wages, housing, education, and healthcare for all.
Planned for 1968, the campaign sought to unite poor people across racial and regional lines—Black sharecroppers, white coal miners, Indigenous communities, and Latino farmworkers—under the shared struggle against poverty. King envisioned an occupation of Washington, D.C., where thousands would pressure lawmakers to pass an Economic Bill of Rights. He believed that true justice meant not only the right to vote but also the right to a living wage, dignity in work, and freedom from economic despair.
His death robbed the movement of its most powerful leader, and while the Poor People’s Campaign went forward under Rev. Ralph Abernathy, it did not achieve King’s revolutionary goals. Today, Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis have reignited the Poor People’s Campaign as a National Call for Moral Revival, expanding its mission to fight not only poverty and racism but also ecological devastation, militarism, and the war economy. King’s critique of capitalism remains as relevant as ever—in a world where billionaires hoard wealth while millions struggle to survive, his call for economic justice still echoes.
As we honor King today, let us always remember his dream of racial equality, but not forget his uncompromising demand for economic justice.
“The evils of capitalism are as real as the evils of militarism and evils of racism.” — MLK Jr. Speech to SCLC staff, May 1967.
Portland City Council
Wednesday, January 15th, 6:00 PM
Regular Agenda
4: Appropriate grants totaling $7 million from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development for the development of Barbur Apartments affordable housing project (Emergency Ordinance)
City Council is set to approve the appropriation of $7 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support the development of the Barbur Apartments, an affordable housing project in Southwest Portland.
The Barbur Apartments will offer 150 units in a four-story building, including 149 affordable units and one manager’s unit. The development focuses on family-sized units, with 103 two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes. Nineteen of these units will have Project-Based Section 8 vouchers to support rents, and they will be available to households earning up to 60% of the median family income.
This project aims to prevent displacement and serve communities of color in the SW Corridor, particularly immigrant and refugee communities, including Muslim and East and North African households. The proximity to the city’s largest mosque and other religious and service organizations underscores this commitment.
Concerns about the potential loss of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) in this area began several years ago. A 2017 study by Portland State University found that 93% of existing apartment buildings in the SW Corridor were qualified as NOAH— approximately 11,400 units across 327 properties. The study highlighted that many of these apartment buildings had been sold in recent years, with sale prices climbing by 274%, increasing the risk of displacement for low-income residents. The number of vulnerable residents is unknown but likely represents more than 25,000 Portlanders.
Spurred by this report, the spread of gentrification and displacement, and the potential expansion of the light rail in the SW Corridor, my team and I joined this conversation around 2018, working with the Southwest Corridor Equity Coalition and contributing to the SW Corridor Equitable Housing Strategy. While Oregon has since adopted a version of our Relo policy, somewhat protecting renters from price gouging and displacement, little else seems to have been accomplished in the ensuing years to preserve or expand the availability of affordable housing in the SW Corridor. I mention this because, while I always want to celebrate the creation of permanently affordable housing, I continue to be deeply concerned by the slow pace of progress in the face of our ongoing affordable housing crisis and growing needs.
Further Reading
5: Appropriate grant for $125,000 from Oregon Health Authority for the 2024 State Healthy Home Grant (Emergency Ordinance)
The Healthy Homes Grant Program (HHGP), established by the Oregon Legislature through House Bill 2842, aims to improve housing conditions for low-income households by addressing health and safety hazards, enhancing energy efficiency, and extending the usable life of homes.
The grant will support initiatives to create safer living environments and address hazards such as lead-based paint, mold, radon, and structural deficiencies. It will also implement measures to reduce energy consumption, lowering utility costs for low-income households. Finally, it will help low-income homeowners and landlords of low-income tenants to maintain their residences, reducing the risk of displacement due to unsafe living conditions or the inability to afford necessary repairs.
While this grant represents an opportunity to improve housing conditions for low-income residents in Portland and aligns with the city's commitment to health equity and housing stability, it is a drop in the bucket of the existing need. My quick back-of-the-napkin calculation is that more than 25,000 households could qualify for this program. This funding will cover around 150 of them.
Further Reading
6: Adopt a Supplemental Budget for City Council and Mayor staffing (Ordinance)
The Portland City Council is considering a supplemental budget to address staffing needs for the Mayor's Office and the expanded City Council. This ordinance would reallocate $4,588,234 from the City Administrator’s Office to the City Council and the Mayor’s Office. These adjustments are intended to balance the budget while addressing the staffing requirements of the new government structure.
I support this supplemental budget because the expansion of the City Council aims to enhance representation and improve governance. Adequate staffing is crucial to the success of Council members in their legislative duties, constituent services, and policy development.
8: Acknowledge the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Resolution)
This resolution acknowledges Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, and his legacy serves as an opportunity to reaffirm the city’s commitment to racial equity and social justice. Beyond the symbolic gesture, the resolution encourages residents and officials to reflect on King’s work and recommit to addressing systemic inequities locally.
9: Accept the 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report and Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report (Report)
The Parks & Recreation Department will present the 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report and the Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report. These reports provide transparency and accountability for levy-funded projects, highlighting successes and areas needing improvement. While the report has lots of good news, it’s heavy on qualitative information and light on quantitative. With a park system with such deeply entrenched inequities and access issues, I want to know more about the actual impact of these investments.
11: Withdraw authorization for the City Attorney to file an unfair labor practice complaint for a Collective Bargaining Agreement violation (Resolution)
City Council will vote on withdrawing authorization for the City Attorney to file an unfair labor practice complaint. This decision may signal progress in resolving a Collective Bargaining Agreement violation and improving labor relations. While the resolution reflects a de-escalation of legal action, it raises questions about the terms and transparency of any agreement reached.
12: Establish City Council committees (Resolution)
The resolution to establish City Council committees aims to streamline governance and improve legislative efficiency. By creating focused committees, the council can better address complex policy issues and enhance public engagement. However, the structure and scope of these committees will determine their effectiveness.
Thursday, January 16th, 2:00 pm
Time Certain
UKANDU, a non-profit organization serving families impacted by childhood and adolescent cancer, proposes to demolish the existing 930-square-foot, one-and-a-half-story bungalow built in 1908. The demolition would facilitate the construction of an addition to an adjacent non-contributing building at 3015 SW 1st Avenue, creating a campus for UKANDU's operations.
A Type IV Demolition Review is required for the total demolition of a contributing structure in a historic district, involving a public hearing and decision by the City Council. The Historic Landmarks Commission held an advisory meeting on November 25, 2024, where the Commission unanimously supported the proposal, contingent upon specific conditions.
The Portland Permitting and Development staff recommends approval of the demolition, subject to conditions, including approval of the replacement structure before a demolition permit is issued and requiring that the house be deconstructed by a certified deconstruction contractor and the materials being salvaged, reused, recycled, or donated.
Multnomah County Board of Commissioners
Thursday, January 16th, 9:30 AM
Not much is going on at the County Board meeting this week. I’ve included the only item that sparked my interest—the Albina Libary Annex—so I could mention the expanded Albina Library slated for reopening this spring!Regular Agenda
Metro Council
Thursday, January 16th, 10:30 AM
Metro has a sparse agenda this week but a big conversation around their Affordable Housing Program.Work Session
4.1: Integrated and Expanded Regional SHS/Affordable Housing Program: Proposed Policy Package
I work on Thursdays and cannot watch this work session in real-time. I’m wondering if there’s a Street Wonk reader with expertise in this area who could watch and provide their input to us?This work session aims to refine and finalize a legislative package addressing homelessness and housing affordability through expanded funding, improved governance, and preparation for a potential May 2025 ballot measure. The session will ensure the proposal aligns with Metro’s goals of reducing homelessness and meeting affordable housing needs with enhanced oversight and transparency. Metro Council will also provide guidance for the January 23, 2025, public hearing, where final decisions and amendments will be considered.
Up for Discussion:
Expanding SHS Taxes:
Allow funds to support affordable housing development alongside services and rent assistance.
Extending SHS Taxes:
Extend the tax for an additional 20 years while considering changes to income tax rates and thresholds to balance resources with reduced tax burdens.
Governance Reforms:
Establish a Housing and Homelessness Policy Advisory Committee to oversee regional action plans, review implementation strategies, and ensure accountability.
Legislative Package Approval:
Determine the structure of the legislative proposal, including elements for a potential voter referral, addressing public input and building coalition support.
Timeline and Transition:
Plan the transition to an integrated and expanded SHS and affordable housing program over several years.
Wonk Out
Further apologies are due! I ran out of time to round up items for you to Wonk Out on! Perhaps you could suggest related books, articles, podcasts, films, etc. in the comments!