Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Housing Study topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Portland committee votes to send social‑housing study resolution to full council
Summary
The Homelessness and Housing Committee voted to send a resolution requiring a 12‑month study of social housing and alternative ownership/financing models to the full Portland City Council for consideration.
The Homelessness and Housing Committee on March 25 voted to send a resolution directing the city administrator to study alternative housing financing and ownership models — including social housing — to the full Portland City Council.
The resolution, cosponsored by Councilor Mitch Green and introduced in committee by Chair Avalos, asks the Portland Housing Bureau to examine models such as cooperatives, municipal ownership, land banking and revolving loan funds, produce policy recommendations and feasibility assessments, and identify possible pilot projects. "Social housing is a good idea whose time has come," Councilor Mitch Green said while urging support for the resolution.
Director Helmi Hissrich of the Portland Housing Bureau told the committee the bureau will study both international models (for example Vienna and Singapore) and emerging U.S. models, and that the city’s analysis will include alternative financing approaches and resident governance. Hissrich said the study’s planned duration is 12 months and that key deliverables will include policy recommendations, a feasibility assessment and a funding‑tool assessment.
Public testimony at the committee hearing included several housing advocates and residents who urged approval. Molly Hogan, director of the Welcome Home Coalition, told the committee the coalition supports the study and described Vienna’s century‑long public investment in housing as an example the city could learn from. Several speakers asked the city to include interim reporting so the council would receive findings before the study’s completion.
Committee members pressed for clarifications on cost containment and the differences between U.S. tax‑credit driven development and international social‑housing models. Director Hissrich and councilors discussed land banking, steady public funding streams and asset management as tools used by cities such as Vienna to reduce construction costs and preserve housing quality.
The motion to send the resolution to full council was moved by Councilor Dunphy and seconded by Councilor Zimmerman. The committee recorded the measure as passed to full council for consideration with four yes votes.
The resolution will appear on a future full‑council agenda for additional public testimony and final action.
