Agenda Tracker: January 22nd, 2025
Ending Homelessness... Severe Weather Shelter... Public Works... Regional Affordable Housing
Dear Readers,
First, big hugs to everyone navigating this unbelievable week in national politics. I know it’s a lot, and I’ll have more to say about it in an upcoming missive. Second, welcome to the 150+ new subscribers who joined us in the past month! I’m thrilled to have you here and excited about the energy and ideas you’ll bring to this growing community. Third, I encourage you to engage with this issue—like, comment, share, or restack it for a signal boost. The more people we can get on the same page and actively engaged in local politics and policymaking, the more power we can collectively wield. That’s going to be vitally important in the years ahead.
This week in local politics is relatively quiet due to the absence of a Portland City Council session and light agendas for the County and Metro. However, there are three work sessions worth paying attention to, and I’ve done my best to pull together some helpful background for you. Honestly, I wish I’d had something like Street Wonk during my early days as a new Council member—drinking from the proverbial firehose and scrambling to get up to speed on every service area and function of City Hall. I hope this newsletter fills some gaps for all of you.
Love and solidarity,
Chloe
Portland City Council
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2:00 PM-5 PM
This is a work session Week. No City Council sessions are scheduled.Portland City Council Work Session: Mayor Wilson’s Report on Ending Homelessness.
Mayor Wilson’s plan to end unsheltered homelessness in Portland focuses on creating sufficient nighttime emergency shelters for all unsheltered individuals in the City. The shelters aim to provide immediate safety and rest while connecting people with services to assess their long-term needs. The strategy also involves repurposing existing facilities, such as churches and community centers, to rapidly increase shelter capacity. In addition, Wilson’s plan includes a 90-day notice period for individuals to transition into shelters, after which encampments will be removed. Early steps in this initiative include opening 200 new overnight winter emergency shelter beds in collaboration with city and county officials.
Despite its ambitious goals, the plan has faced criticism. Some officials argue that reintroducing nighttime-only shelters, which were previously phased out in favor of 24/7 facilities, may not adequately address the complexities of homelessness. Advocates have raised concerns about potential enforcement measures, suggesting that the plan’s encampment removal policy risks criminalizing homelessness without addressing underlying causes such as mental health and substance abuse issues. Media outlets have also questioned the feasibility of scaling up shelter capacity and services within the proposed timeline, highlighting the challenges of relying on under-resourced facilities.
Mayor Wilson's approach to addressing unsheltered homelessness in Portland introduces significant changes to the existing camp removal policies. Here's a comparative overview:
Current City Policy
Assessment and Prioritization: The City of Portland evaluates campsites based on specific criteria, including size, location, and health and safety risks, to determine their urgency for removal. Campsites with higher scores are prioritized for removal.
Notification Process: Once a campsite is slated for removal, the City posts a legal notice at the site, informing residents of the impending action. This notice period ranges from 72 hours to 10 days, allowing occupants time to vacate. Local social service providers are also notified to offer assistance.
Property Handling: During removals, personal property is collected, stored, and made available for retrieval by owners, ensuring individuals can reclaim their belongings.
Mayor Wilson's Proposed Policy
Establishment of Emergency Shelters: Mayor Wilson plans to provide sufficient nighttime walk-in emergency shelters to accommodate every unsheltered person in Portland. This initiative aims to offer immediate safety and rest while connecting individuals with essential services.
Encampment Removal Timeline: Under Wilson's proposal, individuals residing in unauthorized encampments would receive a 90-day notice to transition into the newly established shelters. After this period, the remaining encampments would be subject to removal.
Enforcement Measures: Post the 90-day notice, the City would enforce the removal of encampments, aiming to ensure public spaces are free from unauthorized camping. The specifics of enforcement actions and support services during this phase are yet to be detailed.
Key Differences
Notification Duration: The current policy provides a maximum of 10 days' notice before removal. Mayor Wilson's plan extends this to 90 days, offering a more extended period for individuals to seek alternative accommodations.
Shelter Provision: A significant shift in Wilson's approach is the commitment to establish sufficient emergency shelters before enforcing camp removals, ensuring that individuals have accessible alternatives.
Enforcement Strategy: While the existing policy focuses on immediate health and safety concerns, Wilson's plan emphasizes a structured transition from encampments to shelters, followed by enforcement to maintain public spaces.
Mayor Wilson's proposed policy represents a more structured and extended approach to addressing unsheltered homelessness. It focuses on providing shelter options before enforcing camp removals. This strategy aims to balance humanitarian concerns with public safety and urban management. I hope they don’t discard the thoroughly and thoughtfully developed policies around assessment and prioritization. I doubt the 90-period will go over well with the neighborhoods.
A Quick & Dirty Guide to Homeless & Housing Stats in Multnomah County
These are rough averages, but they give us a sense of the scale of the need and the funding required.
Estimated number of people experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County, sheltered and unsheltered (based on 2024 point-in-time count): 11,153
Estimated number of people experiencing homelessness in Portland who are unsheltered (based on 2024 point-in-time count): 5,398
Estimated number of people experiencing homelessness in Portland who are sheltered in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or safe rest villages (based on 2024 point-in-time count): 5755
Number of emergency shelter beds currently available in Multnomah County (I could not find a breakdown of basic vs. comprehensive shelters): 3000
Deficit of emergency shelter beds, both overnight only and 24/7: 2755
Per person cost for overnight shelter with basic accommodations: $25-$50 per person per night
Per person cost for comprehensive shelters offering case management, healthcare, and support services: $60-$100 per person, per night
Total annual cost of basic shelter for 5400 individuals: $49.3M-$98.6M
Total annual cost for comprehensive shelter for 5400 individuals: $118.3M-$197.1M
Total annual cost for supportive housing for 5400 individuals (this is a rough estimate based on average costs of service delivery and housing): $108M-$216M
Total combined budget for City and County homeless services for the current fiscal year, including emergency shelter and long-term solutions such as supportive housing and behavioral health services: $312.3 million
Cost of developing up to 5400 additional new affordable supportive housing units: $1.35B-$3.24B
Cost of purchasing and renovating 5400 existing housing units (apartment complexes, hotels, motels): $540M-$1.35B
Potential cost savings for City/County on privately vs. publicly owned housing over 10 years: $810M-$1.6B
Deficit in existing affordable housing units affordable for households earning below 30% of Median Family Income: 25,985
Takeaways
Emergency shelter does not end homelessness.
Only stable, affordable housing with appropriate supports will end homelessness.
These statistics illustrate the tension between investment in emergency shelter vs. permanent housing and how it must be carefully balanced.
Building or acquiring publicly owned units is the most cost-effective approach to ending homelessness. While the upfront costs are significantly higher, the long-term savings are notable.
The 5400 individuals who are currently homeless and unsheltered represent roughly 1/5 of the actual need for deeply affordable housing in Multnomah County.
Expanding emergency shelter beds and affordable housing units to meet current demand is a critical step toward alleviating the housing crisis, but it is not a complete solution. Ending the affordable housing crisis—including homelessness, rent burdens, and housing insecurity—requires radical, systemic change. This includes comprehensive reform of housing and tax policies, strengthening tenant protections, prioritizing the development of permanently affordable housing, and adequately funding our beleaguered mental health and addiction service systems.
Thursday, January 23rd, 9:30 AM-12 PM
City Council Work Session: Public Works
Our Public Works bureaus collectively manage approximately 95% of the City's assets, valued at around $70 billion, with PBOT alone overseeing $21 billion in transportation infrastructure. Despite their immense value and importance, many of these assets face significant deferred maintenance due to decades of underfunding. For example, PBOT has a maintenance backlog of approximately $4.4 billion, highlighting the critical need for dedicated funding sources. The Gas Tax, championed by Councilor Steve Novick and passed by voters in 2016, marked a historic moment as the City's first-ever dedicated revenue stream for street maintenance and repair.
The roots of Portland's current infrastructure challenges can be traced back to the mid-20th century, particularly the 1950s and 1960s. During this period, the City experienced substantial growth and expansion, leading to the rapid development of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public facilities. However, the focus was primarily on new construction to accommodate the burgeoning population, with insufficient attention to establishing dedicated funding mechanisms for future maintenance and repairs. This oversight resulted in a lack of long-term planning for the upkeep of these assets, setting the stage for the deferred maintenance issues that began to surface prominently in the subsequent decades.
Portland’s infrastructure challenges took a significant turn for the worse during the 1990s as a combination of factors accelerated deferred maintenance costs. Federal funding for local infrastructure projects declined sharply, leaving cities like Portland struggling to fill the gap. At the same time, much of the City’s infrastructure—built in the early-to-mid 20th century—began to exceed its expected lifespan, requiring costly repairs or replacements. Population growth during this decade further strained aging systems, while limited city budgets prioritized immediate needs over long-term investments. By the early 2000s, the consequences of underfunding were undeniable, with audits and reports highlighting growing backlogs across transportation, parks, and utility infrastructure. This failure to invest proactively left Portland grappling with a mounting maintenance crisis that persists today.
While the current Council is not responsible for the decades of underfunding that created this deficit, they now bear the responsibility to course correct. They must ensure that our public works bureaus receive adequate funding, begin to address the growing maintenance backlog and prioritize long-term savings to prevent future crises. This work session provides an important opportunity to hear how leadership plans to tackle these issues, improve infrastructure resiliency, and secure the sustainability of these critical assets for generations to come.
Portland’s Public Works Service Area comprises three primary bureaus responsible for essential infrastructure and services:
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT): Manages the City's transportation infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, and public transit systems, ensuring safe and efficient mobility for residents and visitors.
Portland Water Bureau: Oversees the delivery of clean drinking water to the community, maintaining and operating the City's water supply and distribution systems.
Bureau of Environmental Services (BES): Responsible for wastewater and stormwater management, protecting water quality, and enhancing the environment through sustainable practices.
These bureaus collaborate to provide vital public works services, ensuring the City's infrastructure meets current and future needs. Check them out below!
Multnomah County Board of Commissioners
Thursday, January 23rd, 9:30 AM
Regular Agenda
R.3: Winter Preparedness and Severe Weather Shelter Activations
As winter weather intensifies, Multnomah County has implemented measures to protect vulnerable community members from the dangers of extreme cold. In January 2025, the County, in partnership with the City of Portland, announced the addition of 200 overnight winter shelter beds. These shelters provide essential services, including hot meals and hygiene supplies, and transition to 24-hour operations during severe weather emergencies.
“Care for When It's Cold: Temperatures forecast to reach 32 degrees or below, without precipitation. Windchills forecast to reach 25 degrees or below, without precipitation. Temperatures forecast to reach 34 degrees or below, alongside precipitation of more than one tenth of an inch.” (Multnomah County)The addition of these 200 beds reflects lessons learned from previous winters. Severe weather events exposed gaps in the region’s preparedness, leading to numerous exposure-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. In response, Multnomah County and the City of Portland have increased investments in emergency services and partnered with community organizations to provide critical support during the winter months.
Action Steps
Stay Informed: Sign up for severe weather alerts through local services to receive timely information about shelter activations.
Access Shelter Services: Individuals seeking shelter can contact 211info by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-866-698-6155 to identify available shelters and transportation options.
Contribute: Community members can support these initiatives by donating winter gear or volunteering at local shelters.
Further Reading
Metro Council
Thursday, January 23rd, 10:30 AM
Work Session
Integrated and Expanded Regional SHS/Affordable Housing Program: Proposed Ordinances and Proposed Councilor Amendments
Metro is advancing its efforts to address the regional housing crisis through an integrated approach that combines the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) program with expanded affordable housing initiatives. This work session focuses on proposed ordinances and amendments aimed at streamlining services, increasing housing production, and improving outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
In May 2020, voters in greater Portland approved Measure 26-210, establishing the SHS program to fund services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This program is funded by a 1% marginal personal income tax on taxable income above $125,000 for individuals and $200,000 for joint filers and a 1% business income tax on net income for businesses with gross receipts above $5 million. The taxes took effect in January 2021 and expire in 2031.
In November 2018, voters approved a regional affordable housing bond, authorizing $652.8 million to create at least 3,900 affordable homes across greater Portland. Bond debt payments are funded by property taxes, with property owners assessed approximately 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The bond is expected to be fully paid by 2039.
The proposed ordinances and amendments aim to:
Integrate SHS and Affordable Housing Bond efforts to improve alignment and efficiency.
Expand eligibility criteria to ensure more people can access services and housing.
Address gaps in equity by prioritizing marginalized communities disproportionately affected by homelessness and housing instability.
Clarify oversight and accountability measures to enhance transparency and program outcomes.
The proposed changes represent a necessary evolution of Metro’s housing strategy, reflecting lessons learned from the initial phases of the SHS and Affordable Housing Bond programs. Integration and expanded eligibility are critical steps to maximizing impact and addressing gaps in housing availability. However, to truly meet the scale of the crisis, Metro must continue advocating for increased state and federal support while ensuring that community voices—particularly those of impacted populations—are central to decision-making.
These ordinances will impact thousands of individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness and low-income households struggling to find affordable housing. The success of this expanded program will depend on Metro’s ability to balance speed, efficiency, and equity in its approach.
Further Reading
Wonk Out!
Public Works
The Works: Anatomy of a City by Kate Ascher. A visually engaging exploration of how cities operate, covering transportation, water systems, and waste management.
Homelessness & Housing
In the Midst of Plenty: Homelessness and What To Do About It by Marybeth Shinn and Jill Khadduri. A comprehensive yet accessible book on homelessness in the U.S., with practical, evidence-based solutions.
Homelessness Is a Housing Problem by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern. A data-driven and accessible analysis of how housing affordability drives homelessness.
Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America by Conor Dougherty. A narrative-driven exploration of housing crises, activism, and policy solutions in America.
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein. A powerful examination of historical housing policies and their role in perpetuating inequality.
When We Walk By: Forgotten Humanity, Broken Systems, and the Role We Can Each Play in Ending Homelessness by Kevin F. Adler and Donald W. Burnes. A hopeful and accessible book on the systemic causes of homelessness and how individuals can help solve it.
Tell Them Who I Am: The Lives of Homeless Women by Elliot Liebow. A deeply empathetic account of the lives of homeless women that challenges common misconceptions.
Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis by Daniel Herriges and Charles L. Marohn. This book challenges conventional housing policies, offering practical, locally driven solutions to the housing crisis. It advocates for incremental development and resilient, affordable neighborhoods through real-world examples.