Milwaukie staff present affordability metrics, push utility-rate study and Sparrow site RFP

City staff and councilors on Wednesday detailed a new affordability goal that splits measures into housing and utility indicators, and said the city will send a request for proposals (RFP) this month for development of the Sparrow site.

The work session framed the goal around actions the city can influence—housing supply and utility costs—while cautioning it cannot control broader drivers such as grocery prices. Staff proposed tracking three housing indicators (income-restricted units by AMI, multifamily vacancy and rent/price changes) and three utility indicators (annual rate change, assistance dollars distributed and enrollment in the utility assistance program).

Why it matters: Councilors and staff said the metrics are intended to focus limited city authority and resources on areas where the city can have effect. The plan aims to measure whether long-standing residents remain housed without being cost-burdened, track utility affordability, and build a budget and programs that narrow gaps without overpromising city authority.

Staff presented a mixed set of near-term actions and studies. The public-works director, Peter Pazarelli, said the utility group is completing a “cost of service” and rate-design study whose results will be shared with…