Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Housing Authority adopts naming policy emphasizing resident input and non‑stigmatizing names
Summary
The Housing Authority approved a naming policy for affordable housing properties that prioritizes neighborhood, cultural and natural‑feature names, adds resident representation to naming committees and requires at least three name options be presented to the board.
The Clackamas County Housing Authority presented a draft naming policy on Aug. 4 designed to align with the county’s naming policy while reflecting the residential nature of affordable housing communities.
Staff said the policy is intended to create "a sense of identity, dignity and belonging for residents," proposing naming categories such as geographic or neighborhood references, historical and cultural references and natural features. The draft advises against function‑based and individual naming for affordable housing to avoid othering residents. The policy requires staff to return to the board to authorize a naming or renaming process, convene a naming committee with resident representation and solicit public input. Staff agreed to the board’s requested change to bring at least three name choices forward.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the naming policy as amended. Housing Authority staff said the board retains final naming authority and that past funding agreements for some developments limited the Authority’s ability to reserve naming rights for all buildings.
