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County approves $100,000 to commission affordability study aimed at keeping workers and families in Multnomah County
Summary
Commissioners approved a one‑time $100,000 allocation to commission an affordability analysis covering housing, childcare, health care and other costs; the study will use ALICE and the Oregon Self‑Sufficiency Standard to focus on households above poverty that struggle to meet basic expenses.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved a one‑time, $100,000 budget modification to commission an affordability analysis that county staff expect will help inform policies to retain and attract working‑age residents.
"The budget modification requests a $100,000 of one‑time funds from the general fund contingency to commission an affordability analysis report, and the Department of County Management will oversee the contracting and delivery of the report," Hayden Farris, policy director for Commissioner Moyer, told the board.
Farris said the study will analyze what contributes to unaffordability and what improves affordability across housing, utilities, health care, transportation, childcare and groceries. The analysis will focus on households above the poverty level that struggle to afford basic expenses, using measures such as ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed) and the Oregon Self‑Sufficiency Standard.
Commissioners sought clarity on where the project will be housed inside county operations and on whether the scope can include groups such as SSDI recipients; staff said the project will likely land in the SPARC (strategic planning) unit and that procurement will likely engage a consultant firm.
Supporters said the analysis could produce actionable recommendations that complement existing economic landscape studies and inform budget and program decisions. The board voted to approve the appropriation.
Next steps: county management will oversee procurement for a consultant to deliver the analysis and return to the board with findings and recommendations.
