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Committee backs formation of mayoral task force to study social housing options
Summary
The committee recommended the City Council establish a mayoral task force to study social housing models, financing options and implementation pathways after staff indicated regional support for facilitation funding; the committee and a public speaker expressed support for the study.
The Housing and Economic Development Committee voted to recommend that the City Council establish a mayoral task force to evaluate social housing models, financing mechanisms and potential implementation approaches for Portland.
Nut graf: Councilors said the private market and existing subsidy programs are not producing enough of the "missing middle" and other housing types. The task force is intended to assemble experts, regional partners and stakeholders to assess options such as municipal bonding, revolving loan funds, direct development, and other tools used in other jurisdictions.
Councilor Kate Sykes, who led the initiative, said the task force would gather expertise on financing and design and bring diverse stakeholders together to "do some research about what's going on around the country, talk to market rate developers, low income housing developers, Portland Housing Authority" and others. Director Greg Watson said staff have applied for facilitation funding from the Greater Portland Council of Governments through a state HOP program and received an early positive indication that GP COG may fund facilitation and produce a final report.
Public comment supported the task force. Wendy Cherubini, who spoke during public comment, said she "supports this resolution" and described the task force as an investment to explore creative solutions while state and federal resources remain uncertain. Assistant city manager Dina Livner clarified that if grant funding from GP COG had not been confirmed when the council considers the resolution, staff would include a fiscal note that the city would not incur the cost if the GP COG grant is awarded.
The committee voted to recommend the resolution establishing the task force. The motion was moved and seconded and approved by roll call; staff will return to the council with any fiscal note updates depending on GP COG grant timing.
Ending: Staff said facilitation assistance from GP COG—if confirmed—would reduce staff workload and provide convening and final reporting capacity; the task force, if created by council, would then set further priorities and next steps.
