Street Roots asked candidates running for Portland City Council position two and position three their plans regarding homelessness, cost of living, pandemic recovery and more. You can read more 2022 election coverage here.
Portland City Council Position 2
Dan Ryan
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
I believe in a multifaceted partnership model for addressing homelessness. Government-funded long-term housing, also known as permanently affordable housing, is only part of the solution. These projects currently happen through partnerships with private equity, non-profit organizations, and public funding agencies. Housing people is important, but so is culturally responsive housing options, access to the support services needed to succeed in permanent housing, and access to living-wage jobs, access to the education and skills to compete for these jobs, and access to the tools for economic stability and growth.
Government-funded programs and housing projects have a role to play in our community's solutions, but so do philanthropic organizations, our local non-profits and community-based organizations, and the private sector as well. We're seeing churches and a variety of congregations joining in the solutions and taking action towards new solutions, philanthropy and private investment have also been at the table funding housing solutions and partnering on job-readiness programs. The strategy we foresee is leading these partnerships and growing these partnerships to try new innovative approaches like Safe Rest Villages, but also take long-standing practices of social work, providing behavioral health, mental health, and addiction treatments, and expanding these to reach people where they are.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
First, it is a common misconception that the city alone is responsible for providing shelter. The city works in partnership with Multnomah County to jointly fund our comprehensive approach to the houseless crisis in the Joint Office of Homeless Services. That said, I don't think this is an "either, or" question. Our houseless community is not a monolith, and in order to make progress toward solving this crisis, we need to provide an array of solutions. This year's major influx of funds from the Metro Supportive Housing Services measure have created an opportunity to do just that, and the Joint Office's budget mirrors this intention. Scaling up supportive housing with services, providing rapid rehousing, and expanding indoor congregate shelter and outdoor alternative shelter are just some of the steps the Joint Office is taking to meet the need.
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While the city traditionally does not act as a sole provider of shelter, we are in a deepening crisis, and as a result, we now have a keystone shelter initiative that we are driving towards. Under my leadership, Portland City Council has unanimously voted to dedicate tens of millions of American Rescue Plan dollars to the development of Safe Rest Villages, low barrier outdoor shelter pods that serve as entry points for houseless individuals in need. Despite headwinds from many directions, the program is on track to add hundreds of alternative shelter beds to our overall response. Rather than debate hypotheticals, I think it is more important to look at actions. The city is taking action to build villages, and I am proud to lead that initiative. One can read PSU's April report on outdoor alternative shelters to understand the many benefits of this type of shelter model.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
I believe that receiving input from individuals with lived experience is critical to successful policy and program implementation. That's why I am deeply grateful to have several staff with the lived experience of being homeless on the Safe Rest Villages team. It's also why the Safe Rest Villages team toured and met with individuals at several outdoor alternative shelters across the city, including Dignity Village and a C3PO shelter. This experience helped shape the direction of the city in the development of the villages.
I also believe in working with organizations that value the importance of lifting individuals with lived experience. That's why I was grateful to see the HereTogether coalition put out a statement publicly supporting the Safe Rest Villages. I was also glad to see Portland State University recently release a study on outdoor alternative shelters, which supports the use of models like the Safe Rest Villages the city is currently building. PSU is well-known for working with homeless Portlanders in formulating their research, and their support for the village model was encouraging to me.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
As the commissioner in charge of the Bureau of Development Services, I have taken it upon myself to work to improve our city's permitting system. Permitting impacts everyone and everything. Our archaic permitting system housing and affordable housing development, the development of new or evolving small businesses, shelters, homeowners, and general economic growth throughout the entire city. I have heard from many constituents that represent each of these groups and more, and they all say the same thing: our current system is stifling our recovery. As we work to rebuild as a city, we need to be as nimble as possible. As a result, I have formed the Permit Improvement Task Force, where I bring together the 8 different permitting bureaus and work to solve for this problem. We are making progress, and are bringing a relevant item before Council later this month. It isn't the flashiest topic, but it's one that matters, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work on it for the benefit of our city.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
We need to stabilize people in their homes, make sure we are doing everything we can to preserve housing stability. And stabilize our small businesses, particularly those services that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. First, we prioritize those communities that have been hit the hardest, and the data shows us that our BIPOC households and BIPOC-owned businesses have suffered the greatest economic losses. Our local and state programs are targeted to help these folks recover from the pandemic and find stability. But we also need to aim for prosperity. We need to attract good-paying jobs to our city and be as inclusive as possible in how folks get access to these jobs, and the job training to successfully compete for these jobs.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
My priorities will include securing long-term investments in community-based programming like Portland Street Response that shows success and additional funding for new programs that need to be tested before we scale them. We must build trust between those communities most impacted by gun violence and law enforcement.
Hiring a Community Safety Director to knit together all first responders - 911, Police, Fire and Portland Street Response - was a necessary first step. In addition, we just passed a new police contract that has much-needed clarity on discipline.
The police accountability measure passed overwhelmingly in 2020 is another important step. We need a strong policy commissioner who will make clear that policing is about community safety in partnership with community, and officers who don’t support reforms will be given an exit strategy and replaced with new officers interested in building trust and respect.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
We have an obligation to make the right decisions to ensure we are keeping the air clean for generations to come. What we do locally will make an impact nationally and we can lead from here.
I led the effort in denying the request from Zenith. The journey to this decision was essential — building the appropriate foundation of understanding and consensus, and the need to consult with tribal governments in the region. We know that the activities carried out at this site, and the fossil fuel products being transported have the potential to directly impact tribal territories, cultural resources and tribal treaty rights. I stood united in affirmation of the city of Portland’s commitment to pursuing a clean energy future, addressing climate change and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
Union membership and what it means are deeply personal to me. I was a member of two unions from the age 16-25; I was a card-carrying member of the grocers in high school and with the union representing the ushers at Portland’s Schnitzer and Keller auditoriums in my early 20s. In addition, six of my seven siblings were active in labor unions for most of their adult lives. I believe that union membership is a strong pathway to a better future.
I will continue to show my support for unions and advocate their benefits. I am a strong proponent of trade schools and have a passion for improving the pipeline from (the) K-12 system to a smooth and accessible entrance into apprenticeships out of high school.
AJ MCREARY
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
Yes, I do. Housing ends homelessness. So, if our governments truly want to end homelessness, we have to do everything in our power to get people into a safe, stable home to call their own. I agree with the incumbent Dan Ryan that homelessness is a humanitarian crisis in Portland, but he keeps making promises that he can't keep on safe rest villages that aren't long-term housing or enough of a solution to help the over 5,500 people unhoused at the moment in our metro area. What I would do instead as a commissioner would be to: 1) Rally together my colleagues and Portland communities such as #3000Challenge supporters to stop the ill-advised efforts by People for Portland to yank voter-approved bond funding for mental health and addictions services and rent assistance, 2) Support the Multnomah County master leasing program to get more people into housing immediately, and 3) Mobilize city of Portland resources to leverage ongoing efforts at Metro & Multnomah County to provide long-term housing (we don't need to reinvent the wheel at the city, but we should be doing everything in our power on Portland City Council to be additive and collaborative with Metro & Multnomah County). Again, housing solves homelessness.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
It's complicated. I feel that increasing extreme weather means we need lots of congregate shelter space to be used on an emergency basis to keep people alive in those moments. But we need to spread awareness that the reality of congregate shelters is that many people literally cannot sleep in them. Is a congregate shelter still better than living unsheltered? Homeless people are not monolithic in their needs and past experiences — some people will say yes to that question and others will say no, and the presence of deadly heat waves, freezing cold temperatures and unhealthy smoke in the air changes the calculus with increasing frequency thanks to climate change. Shelter beds are an important part of the solution but only one part that should not distract from the task of long-term stable housing for all.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
Since I have launched this campaign I have sat down with seven unhouse community members and had meaningful conversations, all with very different backgrounds and ages, all having very unique stories and roads moving forward. My work with both Equitable Giving Circle and Mxm Bloc does have direct touch points with our unhoused community members, usually with food support or supply support and those relationships are helpful in the ways I understand and am centering my policy. What I know is our unhoused community in Portlanders are experts in what they need, and my approach to policymaking about housing and homelessness does include championing those voices. I also know we need multiple things happening at once to help all of the unique individuals unhoused. I want to keep this line of communication open and work hard to create immediate and long-term solutions that meet everyone's wide-ranging needs.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
City of Portland ought to be lobbying state legislators to adopt tighter restrictions on rent increases than what laws currently exist on the books. We can legislate that ourselves as a City Council if we have the courage to stand up for the Portlanders struggling to get into or stay in housing. But rent control alone won't solve the problem because landlords can still jack up rent in between tenants. The roots of this problem are varied, and one of them, inflation, is hard to impact on a city level. But another driver of high rent is scarcity, so we need to be accelerating the expansion of affordable housing stock across the board. Raising the minimum wage and economic development focused on the lowest wage earners needs to be a city priority too, especially for Black, Brown, Indigenous and working-class folks who have been discriminated against and marginalized for generations.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
Well, most importantly, this pandemic is still happening and case rates have been steadily rising in Portland metro, so providing high-quality masks, public health messaging, and supporting testing and vaccination efforts are all still relevant and highly important. Mutual aid organizers are still doing an enormous amount of work to keep people fed and supplied, often while having to quarantine, and more direct support for this kind of aid would go a long way towards expanding its impact. I've supported sustaining the outdoor dining plazas to support local businesses, but we need to do more work to invest in businesses that can't afford to build these kinds of spaces as well as improve traffic safety around these outdoor dining spaces. I think the city should get creative with its budgeting and search for ways to lower costs on individuals and infuse resources where they're needed most.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
I don't support increasing the police budget. And unlike the incumbent commissioner in Position 2, I would maintain this opinion after being elected. The fact of the matter is, the Portland police are not able to keep us all safe, they profile and target people based on race and ideology, and the vast majority of them don't even live in Portland. So what would raising the police budget give us? The data don't show a connection between higher police funding and lower crime rates. We're seeing increased gun violence and theft because people have been run ragged by these desperate times, made worse by weak gun laws, the isolation of the COVID era, and the polarization caused by rising political instability. In other words, people are in a pressure cooker that's been building up a lot more pressure in recent years. Data shows that Portland Street Response is effective and off to an incredible start at supporting people in crisis and I am thrilled to see it continue to expand. My plan for addressing crime and public safety is to continue to scale up our support for Portland Street Response and other programs that show clear results and effective outcomes at reducing violence. At the same time, economic development, stable housing, and climate action are all ways that we can attack the root causes of violence and crime.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
1) Support the youth who continually protest highway expansions, 2) block any and all fossil fuel expansions, 3) support reforming building codes to provide a pathway for carbon-free buildings, 4) support the success of the Portland Clean Energy Fund (including their deployment of emergency air conditioning) and 5) do everything in my power as a commissioner to expand safe active transportation routes and fight for fareless transit that better serves the needs of all Portlanders.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
Absolutely yes. I will stand with workers and leverage my position on City Council to listen to their needs and help resolve disputes. Labor unions are essential to the work of economic justice. Everyone deserves a thriving wage, thats the bare minimum.
RENEE STEPHENS
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
Government housing carries a bad stigma, it does not promote pride or a genuine connection to the community. I know this from experience because I grew up in government housing in San Francisco. Instead, we need to make it easier for people to own their own homes. Whether that is converting apartments to condos that people can buy or making the Habitat for Humanity program a standardized, fully funded, government project. The simple fact is we need to begin investing in people and stop investing in money.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
We should not be relying on collecting people who may have untold personal issues and placing them together in one space, this could be disastrous, especially if they are ill-funded and not focused on solving everyone's problems. If we are just creating a space that we can disappear our problems to and they can become out of sight and out of mind then we will be making the problem worse. Instead, we need to meet people where they are, we need to start with compassionate care that helps people reestablish their self-worth, dignity, self-respect, and value. We need to remove any obstruction and restriction that would keep us from helping people in this manner. Compassionate clean-up crews, mobile showers, mobile addiction/mental health services should be invested in and deployed to help care for people where they are. Then we need to sit with each individual to find out why and how they came to be in this position so we can turn them on to the appropriate services that will help them begin living productive lives again and reintegrate them into society.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
I have, with my wife, been holding weekly public rallies since December 21, 2021, concerning our own story about how we have been failed by the government; where we have made ourselves available to the homeless population and we have spoken to countless people in these circumstances. They each have a story to tell about how they have been failed by the system. If elected I would make their input the first priority because they need to be directly involved in their own care.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
We need to allow people to buy apartment spaces so that they own a piece of the community and therefore have a genuine connection to caring for our community. If we open the apartments to sale, then they will be subject to all of the homebuyer advantages and incentives that are offered by HUD and other government and financial institutions in the housing industry.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
The biggest aspect of our community that has been affected by the pandemic is our economy. Labor shortages and supply chain issues have created a wave of problems that we have not yet felt the full consequences of. We need to get ahead of this coming catastrophe. We need to provide government-funded incentives to get people back to work, whether that's raising the minimum wage and offering businesses from the small to corporate level; government supplements and subsidies to support that increase in living wages or offering businesses substantial tax breaks for hiring people those are a few suggestions we can begin to tackle the issue.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
Public safety has become an issue of grave importance. This is happening because as a matter of policy we are not treating people like they matter. We are wholly ignoring peoples' personal issues and leaving them to deal with them on their own. This is a very frustrating circumstance and I know this from experience because our daughter became the victim of a crime that the government has been ignoring for the last 15 years and treating the issues that we have been raising like they do not matter. This is unacceptable and is a practice that cannot be allowed to persist if we are to make our community safe. We need to hold our government and community accountable for the problems that we are all facing if we are to prove ourselves responsible enough to make our community safe. I would like to see Justice for Qadira publicly addressed by the government and our community and I believe that will lead us to a broader discussion about how and why we are running our society.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
I'd like to make Life the Value. Climate change has become an issue because we are not running society to efficiently care for Life, that is not the goal. Our focus as a race of beings has been caring for money and not the environment. We need to make a new agreement that we will begin to efficiently organize our society around caring for Life. One of the examples that I like to use is that we have lots of inventions that create energy with an environmentally neutral or positive effect, but these potential creations are being suppressed because they threaten to damage the economic viability of our established energy industries. That just can't be the case anymore either money matters or Life matters, we have to make a collective decision.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
Labor unions are very important for protecting the rights of people in working environments, but the effective implementation and operation of labor unions is thwarted by corruption and the focus on money in our society. Without having a general discussion and agreement on why we are running society we will not be able to create an effective plan on how we are running our society. Labor and people will always lose to money if that remains our focus. If we don't make Life the Value we will not have anything good for people in our society.
CHRIS BRUMMER
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
Yes, I would like to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as the solution to homelessness. I would try to secure a portion of that funding by advocating for a tax imposed on undeveloped and/or underutilized properties, such as empty lots, day-parking lots and parking garages in residential or mixed-use areas, like in downtown. Those funds could then be used for immediate relief by paying for basic infrastructure, like toilets, clean water and sanitation, in houseless communities, paying for negotiated leases on currently available rental units, ultimately building to public housing that Portland owns and operates either solo or in tandem with Multnomah County and Metro.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
Yes, the city should decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters by working to get people into housing already available in Portland’s neighborhoods. The city should be negotiating discounted leases and raising the funds necessary to cover those leases so people have immediate and stable housing. Let’s get creative with emergency powers and/or eminent domain if we have to, perhaps with a temporary expropriation of rental units to negotiate a reasonable monthly rent in order to secure people’s rights to dignified housing. Again, we should be looking to build and own public housing that will guarantee stable homes for all while competing with private sales and rentals.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
I’d like to prioritize homeless Portlanders’ input into policy by having them, the groups they support, and the groups who support them be consultants on city policy, both in conception and implementation. I may have ideas, but whether or not they would or do work would be dependent in part on their analysis and feedback.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
In the short term, I wonder if vacancy control or vacancy decontrol would work to help prevent displacement of even more Portlanders who are struggling. But I really feel that the only way that Portland can guarantee housing is to own and control housing itself. This means building up a supply of housing for Portlanders, perhaps renting units or building as a city first while we collect the funding and build the units to own and operate in the future.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
This question is tough for me because I don’t see how we can “recover” from a pandemic that’s still ongoing. I say we must focus on prevention, mitigation and control, which means keeping masks on in public spaces, continuing our efforts to ensure maximum vaccination of the population and remember that the most vulnerable among us are the ones bearing the highest costs of proceeding as if this pandemic is over.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
I am absolutely against raising the police budget. Yes, alternative programs like Portland Street Response (PSR) are vitally important to phasing out police and achieving true community safety. One idea I would like to see implemented is extinguishing all current vacancies in the Portland Police Bureau and negotiating service expansion of PSR to be able to answer calls where the people involved may be in traffic, in private homes or pose a threat to themselves or others. PSR can and does safely address and prevent crime.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
If elected I would like to pass a directive for the city to only purchase electric vehicles for any and all city operations from here on out. This would be in line with centering disabled people and pedestrians, and then mass transit, in any and all city planning, design and operations.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
Absolutely I do and will continue to prioritize and support the rights of labor unions. Without a specific issue to discuss, it’s tough to say how I would approach particular labor issues, but at the very least I’d make sure that labor and non-law-enforcement labor unions are represented in policy development.
Portland City Council Position 3
PEGGY SUE OWENS
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
Portland has excellent programs in place; however, people don’t know how to access what is available to them. We need more emphasis on getting the resources to the people who need and want the help.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
Yes, but we need to do so in a manner that is conducive to getting people off the streets permanently not just a Band-Aid. We need more programs that help people get back on their feet, job training, mental health counseling and drug treatment.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
Not enough (under 50). We need targeted assistance that will address individual needs. Not everyone is on the street for the same reasons. Unfortunately, we can’t help everyone. We can only do our best to help as many as we can and the best way to do that is to ask them, what they really need and or want.
Also, let’s also not forget about the people who live and work in this city that are being affected by the homeless issue.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
I honestly don’t know, but I am willing to entertain programs that support affordable housing in all parts of the city.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
Buy local, clean up downtown, and make our city a place where people want to come again.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
We must restore our police presence and support our officers, that includes increasing budget, body cameras, training. I believe the street response team should be a tool to assist the police not to replace them. We need real officers walking the streets, patrolling our neighborhoods, and arresting criminals.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
Support clean and renewable energy programs, such as solar, wind and geothermal technologies.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
No, I support competition between labor unions and small businesses and their right to compete in the labor market, as long as they are offering similar pay and benefits.
JO ANN HARDESTY
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
Ultimately the best way to address our homeless crisis is a strategy that is centered around long-term housing and affordability solutions. Since I have been elected, I have pushed the city to aggressively focus on the 0-60% median income housing and a range of self-governing shelters like Right 2 Dream 2 & Dignity Village, along with full-service shelter options where the need is highest. My priorities include seeking out land to purchase so that we can build both more humane temporary shelters and more permanently affordable housing. Unfortunately, I am not in charge of the Housing Bureau or the Joint Office of Homeless Services, and those in charge have not moved as urgently as I would like to see. While I fully support increasing shelter capacity, we must acknowledge that temporary shelter does not solve homelessness and focus our efforts on real long-term solutions.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
Right now I don’t think we should be decreasing any kind of shelter. However, I believe that mass congregate homeless shelters, especially the highly concentrated, low service style that has been floated by an aide to Mayor Wheeler, could lead us down a dangerous road. We must focus on creating shelter space that people would choose to rest in over a tent, as opposed to forcing people into large camps and criminalizing poverty.
While housing that people can afford is the ultimate solution, I believe we must expand shelter capacity by having a variety of different options for different people in need of a safe place to rest. That includes far more village-style shelters than are currently being proposed, culturally specific shelters, converting hotels into shelter, and safe parking places for those living in RVs or other vehicles.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
As a policymaker, I always talk to the communities that will be most impacted by the policy we are working on. There is no better example of this than the creation of Portland Street Response - our new unarmed 911 response option for those experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis. At the front end of developing this first change to our first response system in 150 years, we directly engaged our unhoused neighbors living on the streets to ask them about their previous experiences with our first response system and ideas for change. That involved working directly with Street Roots and many other houseless advocates to hold listening sessions and survey those currently living on our streets. I am a strong believer that the people of Portland are our best resource, and I strive to create community-driven change.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
While I’m not the housing commissioner, I have been pushing for the city to do far more land banking and asset acquisition so we can create housing for those at the 0-60% medium income level. While I support many policies like inclusionary zoning and the residential infill project as a part of the solution, we need to be less reliant on incentivizing wealthy developers to do the right thing and either make them do it or do it ourselves. There is no better example of the City being taken advantage of with our current inclusionary zoning policy than the Ritz-Carlton downtown that displaced BIPOC-owned small businesses while exploiting a loophole that will likely lead to none of the previously promised affordable units in the new luxury building.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
The pandemic has divided and driven us apart. It’s been a traumatic last few years for so many. We must center healing activities, and we need to be creative in revitalizing and promoting the creative use of public space as a vehicle for pandemic recovery. I have directed PBOT to make permanent their Healthy Business outdoor seating program, as well as their Street Plaza program. We just secured the historic transfer of 82nd Ave to local control along with a $185 million dollar investment, and this offers another incredible opportunity to reimage and revitalize the geographic center of our City. And just this week, I joined PBOT as we opened up the Better Naito bike and pedestrian network downtown. Having more people safely out and about, recreating and communicating with each other, enjoying each other's company, promoting small businesses, arts, and more are the keys to a successful pandemic recovery.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
Whether or not I support raising the police budget depends on the specifics of what we are talking about. Raising the police budget could mean implementing body cameras and adding a civilian dean of training to their staff, or it could look like budgeting additional taxpayer funds for more armed officers when there are currently 100 vacancies in the bureau. I support our efforts to fill the current vacancies first.
We should be directly engaging neighborhoods like my office did in the Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood to implement creative, community-driven solutions that increase safety. The collaborative pilot project led by my office in Mt. Scott-Arleta decreased gun violence by over 60% in the neighborhood.
As the commissioner that worked with Street Roots and who advocated all over the city to champion and create Portland Street Response, I believe this will be a vital resource to helping those experiencing a behavioral or mental health crisis, while also freeing up our police to focus on the worst crimes occurring in Portland right now, including gun and traffic violence.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
I’ve already taken action as the champion of the voter-approved Portland Clean Energy Fund and as the transportation commissioner have had a clear line that multi-modal and transit are essential to future projects. I also led the fight that blocked the expanded crude oil facility in Northwest Portland when the city of Portland denied Zenith Energy’s permit for an expanded oil transport facility along the Willamette River after a three-year fight. The decision affirms Portland’s climate justice goals and protects neighborhoods from the risk of oil spills.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
Absolutely. I have received endorsements from unions that represent over 120,000 workers, including the largest union in Oregon in SEIU and the largest private-sector union in UFCW. I am the daughter of a longshoreman and have long upheld the rights of workers.
During my first year in office, I fought hard to save the jobs of LiUNA park workers to save both their jobs and community centers in an effort that was unfortunately unsuccessful. I’ve also been out on the picket lines supporting our workers at Nabisco & Fred Meyers.
I hired a Chief of Staff who was the former executive director of the Working Families Party and Jobs with Justice, with experience organizing nurses and hotel workers.
I have also been very vocal in supporting local union drives at Burgerville, Starbucks, and more. Portlanders will always have a labor champion in me.
VADIM MOZYRSKY
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
Since July 2021 Supportive Housing Services dollars have been available to advance permanent solutions to homelessness. Portland has also received and should continue to seek, federal funding to address our humanitarian crisis. Portland and Multnomah County need to increase affordable housing as part of a long-term solution, but we also need to expand alternative shelter capacity to address the immediate needs of the unhoused as well (as) their housed neighbors.
Working in conjunction with providers, shelters, and outreach workers, we need to increase availability of mental health and drug addiction services and also maintain a continuum of care that ensures those services are received and utilized by those in need. A recent Oregonian article noted that 66% of people living unsheltered in Portland have never been approached by an outreach worker. Of the 34% of unhoused individuals who reported a caseworker did offer housing help, 75% said they never heard from a worker again. We can do better.
We need to improve coordination between the government, service providers and first responders, but also extend that partnership to every part of the community, including faith-based organizations, businesses, and neighborhood associations. We need to establish concrete goals and metrics to achieve those goals.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
I agree with the Here Together framework of expanding indoor, outdoor, congregate and non-congregate transitional housing designed as on-ramps to permanent housing. Congregate and non-congregate shelters and other housing sites provide support for people transitioning from homelessness to housing, especially when paired with services such as peer support, case management, and housing vouchers.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
I have spoken with many homeless individuals, either directly through my campaign or in outreach efforts with nonprofit organizations that I support. I believe that service providers and people with lived experience should be consulted about policies affecting them.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
The pandemic has exacerbated underlying trends: housing prices have dramatically increased while half of all renters are cost-burdened. This trend is most severe for marginalized communities. Additionally, Oregon has the worst housing shortage in the nation as a percentage of existing stock. It is estimated that we need 600,000 more housing units in the next 20 years. There is no question we need to increase affordability through increasing housing supply and building a greater mix of housing types.
To ensure that we create housing policies that meet the needs of new home buyers without concomitantly creating unintended consequences that negatively impact housing and rental availability, I will ensure that policy development is inclusive of all stakeholders. I would promote policies to increase density zoning in the Portland region, specifically near transit centers and fixed-rail transit. If and when practicable, I would seek tax exemption incentives to increase housing. To get desired outcomes, we need to bring together housing advocates, representatives from realtor organizations, developers, home builders, property managers, and rental owner associations. Finding common ground and pragmatic solutions to our housing needs is paramount to ensuring that our city government incentivizes adequate inventory and affordable homeownership while not creating disincentives that increase scarcity that would drive up prices.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
The pandemic recovery in Oregon and Portland presents an opportunity to emerge together more equitably. Covid has brought to light disparities in nutrition and health coverage as well as disparities in financial metrics such as income and housing. We must work to lower barriers to healthcare access. This entails investment in community-based outreach, improved data collection, better messaging, and enhanced education efforts.
Our underserved communities have been disproportionately impacted financially and has lost employment as a result of Covid at a greater rate compared to other populations. We should leverage federal relief funding to narrow the income loss gap. Similarly, those that are underemployed or living paycheck to paycheck are experiencing a greater risk of housing instability. We should encourage public and nonprofit efforts to build, preserve, and rehabilitate housing for people with low incomes. As Oregon receives funding for infrastructure repair and improvement, we must be mindful that projects are equitably distributed and that contracting is utilized to support employment in marginalized communities.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
We need a police bureau that is well trained, that has community oversight, that is able to discipline and remove officers that do not uphold the highest standards of integrity and service, and that instills a culture of community-based policing. We need to ensure that the response is appropriate to the need, which means building out Portland Street Response to help individuals experiencing mental health crises and Public Safety Support Specialists for low-level calls. At the same time, we need to ensure that the police bureau is adequately funded to respond timely to 9-1-1 calls and be proactive in preventing crime.
On a daily basis, I hear from people that have directly experienced crime or have grave safety concerns in their neighborhoods and where they work. It is fundamental that our government listens to these calls for help and addresses them. We need to ensure that any public safety response is appropriate for the situation. That includes building on the vision set by Street Roots, which advocated and received funding for Portland Street Response to address the needs of both the community and individuals experiencing mental health crises. We need to hire additional Public Safety Support Specialists and expand their roles within PPB to respond to calls that do not require an armed police response. Importantly, we need to have a frank discussion about the adequate staffing levels for the Portland Police Bureau to timely respond to calls for help and provide community-centered policing and crime reduction.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
My priorities would increase local efforts to reduce carbon impact and fight climate change. We need to continue work to create an environmentally sustainable transportation system; support car-alternative infrastructure to protect public health and the environment; help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and roadway congestion; make investments in historically underfunded walking, biking, and transit networks; and improve equity by better serving low-income, minority, disabled and other underserved populations. Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and is responsible for respiratory and other public health issues due to the amount of air pollution it causes. These issues can be ameliorated by reclaiming and building upon pedestrian street space, increasing bike infrastructure, and incentivizing the shift away from gas-driven, single-occupancy vehicles.
I would advocate for stronger codes to make new construction energy-efficient and less dependent on fossil fuels. Buildings are long-lasting sources of climate pollution, and more energy-efficient buildings would not only help the environment but also lower energy bills.
I would focus efforts for the city to expand clean energy usage to reduce fossil fuel usage and promote the stewardship of our valuable resources. This would not only reduce emissions but also invigorate the economy by creating green jobs and employing more community members.
To accomplish these goals, I would lead by reaching out to stakeholders such as OLCV to obtain input and policy guidance, build coalitions, and increase partnerships at the local and state levels.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
When unions do better, the middle class does better. Unions can foster the growth of a strong middle class. As a union vice president and member of my union’s National Executive Board, I fully support and will continue to support the right of workers to organize and bargain with their employer. We need to create and nurture a culture where management sees unions and their members as partners rather than opponents.
I am a strong supporter of the labor movement. I not only talk the talk, but I am also a union member. I have worked my way up through the union, initially serving as a union steward and then as a national designated representative. Most recently I have been elected to the National Executive Board as Regional Vice President for Regions 8 (Denver region) and 10 (Seattle Region). As a Regional Vice President, I now represent offices in 10 states and am a voting member of the National Executive Board.
I have first-hand experience representing working families and labor and will bring this lens to my position as Portland City Commissioner. I fully support and will continue to support the right of workers to organize and bargain with their employer.
When elected, I will establish a labor roundtable of advisors to ensure there is adequate input to City Hall on issues impacting unions and labor. I believe in the need to keep lines of communication open, to plan well in advance for the future, and to quickly address issues as they arise rather than after they escalate. As a union representative, I have seen the value in labor-management forums and will encourage such discussions when in office.
DALE HARDT
Dale Hardt responded to the questions provided by Street Roots with the following email:
Thank you for including me in your publications. I want to make this as easy as possible but I am not a politician. The questions you are asking are above my pay grade. I am a laborer running only to do the people's work. When it is done I will resign and a politician can take over. The information I am providing at pdxcontract@gmail.com describes in clear no-nonsense detail what I will be doing. My only goal is to get the street campers to a safe and serviced piece of city property where they won't be bothered with sweeps and harassment. It is a job I don't want but I am the man to do it. So here I am. Below is the pamphlet I am handing out today in Portland's living room. If you could include that as my answer to the questions I think it says everything people need to know.
The vote is the most powerful weapon we have.
— Rep. John Lewis
On May 17th a vote for Dale Hardt orders the shut down of all non-essential city business. It orders the city council and Mayor to supervise crews on the streets helping relocate street campers to city-owned property. It orders every city worker to stand ready to assist in the relocation of the street campers and provide any needed resource. It orders that every person sleeping on our streets be moved to safe city-regulated campsites immediately. Your vote orders this to be done now without debate. Your vote says HELL NO to waiting three more years for the EMERGENCY to end. Send a blank email to pdxcontract@gmail.com and get all the details. It is time for us to get into SOME GOOD TROUBLE. Let’s take over city hall.
KARELLEN STEPHENS
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
In addressing the homeless issue I plan to emphasize the worth and value of people. My first action would be to promote a self-worth-building initiative that would encourage people to take the first step back toward finding and appreciating their own value by participating in the "I AM THE VALUE" t-shirt exercise. This exercise is simple and cost-effective, and it will help drive the mission of housing and caring for all members of our community in a positive direction. I believe that there is an urgent need to promote the idea that people are what is valuable. I have observed government-funded housing and the people who come to reside in it being labeled as a problem sometimes before the housing is even built. There is an ongoing stigma attached to the failure to cope and "stay on the board" of our failing society. I believe we need to provide more options and services through the compassionate programs that are already up and running in our city. There is a lot of waste, abuse, and corruption happening to the funds already allocated to help our homeless community in our city. I would put an end to the chaos by keeping those I'm engaging with focused on the goal. Securing and distributing funds will be easier and less tedious and time-consuming when individuals, businesses, and corporations understand and agree that people are what is valuable.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
I'm not a fan of congregate housing because I think our homeless community and just people, in general, have a lot of trust issues. I prefer a model that supports each individual's needs with person-centered care. I would like to start diverting funding towards compassionate cleanup crews that are staffed with well-paid caregivers who are interested in helping people live happy and healthy lives. I would like to see people who are actively engaged in the "I AM THE VALUE" exercise out in the community connecting with our houseless community members helping to organize and clean up camps while at the same time diverting those who are ready for transitional or permanent housing solutions towards those services. It's important to remember that each person is an individual and that solutions must be tailored to fit very specific needs if we want to see lasting change.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
My husband and I make it a priority to be out in the community connecting with citizens twice a week. We have spoken with many homeless community members in the last 72 weeks as we have prioritized seeking justice for our daughter every Wednesday in Multnomah Village and every Friday at Pioneer Square. We run weekly rallies in support of Justice for Qadira and our focus is on making our daughter's life matter to this community and on making the life on this planet matter, period. As a citizen of modest means, I know from direct experience how it feels to be ignored and treated like I don't matter, and to have my loved ones be ignored and treated like they don't matter, and I wouldn't wish that horrific experience on any other human being. I absolutely want to make time and space to hear from every homeless person who wishes to contribute their ideas about the issues. As a city council member, I believe I should be on the ground using all of my available time as a working public servant to gather information and input from those who need my help and attention as a city leader.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
I am horrified to see people being priced off the planet. In regards to the skyrocketing rent here in Portland I again want to connect people back to the self-worth building initiative of getting people labeled and seen as what is valuable. I believe it is the idea that life doesn't matter on this planet and that it is a burden that is helping to contribute to these types of problems. I would like to start connecting with landlords and working on developing programs that help more people towards homeownership. I believe people who are renting a property and helping to care for it should be given a stake in the property through more lease-to-buy options that utilize payment of past rent as a down on the home. I believe when more people have the option and pathway towards homeownership (even if it is just a small apartment) that will help better connect them to their communities and the city and space around them. I have heard many stories of people who have rented or paid a mortgage for years and one small misstep or financial setback has destroyed that opportunity for security. I think we should always be calculating what someone has contributed to whatever space they are occupying and making sure they feel valued and appreciated for doing that work. As we work together to get the community focused on valuing the people in it we will see the desire to price people out of options naturally abate.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
Pandemic recovery happens for people when we focus on the needs and wants of the people in our community. No one should be feeling lost, desperate, or alone. Again I believe the individual person-centered approach is best. This is the least expensive option even if one individual requires a whole team of people to help them get back on their feet. I have observed many people's needs being set aside and ignored during the pandemic. Many people have turned to drugs and suicide as society has sent a loud clear message that they do not matter and are not wanted. I fully endorse listening to people and helping them with their reasonable requests as much as humanly possible. I believe that government institutions are supposed to be for helping to organize and administer society in a way that helps all people live happy and healthy lives. Turning our focus and attention to that goal will help keep our citizens, public officials, and media focused on what actually matters.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
My plan for addressing crime and public safety starts with a full and fair investigation into Justice for Qadira. I am not in favor of raising the police budget until we have had a very public discussion about the ongoing coverup of this heinous crime against an innocent child. I believe that equal distribution of the law is the cornerstone of a free and just society and the corruption, waste, and abuse in that system must be rooted out and appropriately acknowledged and dealt with. I would like to see a caregiver program similar to the Portland Street Response deployed around the city and eventually the nation whose main focus is just caring for people and helping them to maintain happy and healthy lives. I don't think like most programs that the Portland Street Response will be enough to solve the humanitarian crises on our streets. When responding to individuals we need to make sure these teams have the tools, resources, and support to actually give people what they need to cope with whatever issues they may be facing.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
I believe climate justice and climate change can be addressed more efficiently when we begin focusing on caring for all of the Life on this planet. As a mother and caregiver by profession, I have dedicated my life to caring for and serving people and I believe as we expand the effort to better care for people the easier it will be to prioritize the care of the spaces around people.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
I will definitely prioritize and support the rights of labor unions, but I believe these ideas need to be expanded to protect offshore labor practices as well. I believe that American corporations have a huge influence on our collective image worldwide and that safety standards and practices, as well as wage requirements, should extend beyond our shores. I believe corporations should be expected to take their American values with them wherever they go so that the incentive to move a business for profit is deterred. The goal of maintaining and operating our society should always be focused on the care of people. When people have good jobs, access to healthcare, and caring supportive communities they tend to thrive. My approach to labor issues will always be person-centered and focused on making sure that working people feel valued and appreciated in the community.
KIM KASCH
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
We have a housing crisis. And, yes, I have a plan for long-term housing that includes government funding. But I want to go much further than that. With my B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University, I don’t want to simply move people off the street, I want to help keep people housed by providing transitional healthcare and substance use intervention utilizing a holistic approach that includes coaching and counseling, as well as transitional healthcare, via a public/private partnership.
I also want to include job training and placement assistance. Plus, I’ll offer additional funding to nonprofits such as Cultivate Initiatives, who currently offers mobile showers and employment assistance for houseless people in transition. I want to support those organizations that are already doing the work, successfully.
Last year, in 2021, Oregon had a $1.9 BILLION Dollar surplus. That’s a windfall of money. Portland receives the majority of those funds. Unfortunately, our current leaders are not helping the people.
We don’t need to cut programs. We have the money to fund aggressive, new, and innovative programs to help the people of Portland. I want to do it.
Additionally, we need affordable housing for all. I will offer more assistance to Portlanders through deregulation of unnecessary fees so that locals can rent out spaces in their homes, which already exist. Currently, the city offers huge incentives to big corporations and mega-developers to tear down existing homes to build unaffordable condos they call “affordable housing.”
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
EMERGENCY CONGREGATE HOUSING:
With over 8,000 people currently on the streets, we need to keep all options open and work together to find the best solutions. But to do that, we need honest leadership – not corporate-bought politicians. Unfortunately, our current leadership obfuscates the truth. Corporate-funded politicians have been working with big developers to benefit the wealthy, not the people of Portland. I want to change that.
We also have the Safe Rest Villages, which have been funded by millions of our tax dollars and should open now. However, I expect a couple of the homes will open days before the election.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
HOUSELESS INPUT POLICIES:
I have spoken with many houseless individuals over the years and, more recently, I have talked with a few people who have recently found housing through the wonderful benefits of Cultivate Initiatives. I want to include all voices and perspectives so that we can achieve realistic goals and processes to help house and/or keep people housed in Portland. I will continue to reach out to all Portlanders.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
COST OF HOUSING:
I want to lower the cost of housing in Portland –it’s quickly becoming a city only for the rich – because of elected officials’ obligations to big developers and big corporations. Not long ago one city commissioner tried to sell off part of Mt. Tabor Park in a secret backroom deal - to a foreign developer. It was the Neighborhood Associations that got the word out and shut that down. After that, one city commissioner tried to get rid of the Neighborhood Associations. Currently, the Neighborhood Associations have reduced budgeting from the city. We need to increase the funding of the Neighborhood Associations so that they can get the word out to the people to help keep everyone informed.
I will also work to put a cap on the percentage of allowable rent-ratio increases per year. A 34.1% increase, in a one-year period, is unreasonable. When we allow foreign developers and big corporations to buy up all the land/housing, we are putting profits over people. Voters remember, corporations are not people and money is not speech. I will speak up for the people of Portland so everyone can be proud to live in this wonderful city.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
SAFETY AND SANITATION: We need to revitalize Portland by providing a safe, clean city people will want to live in and others will want to come visit. It was only a few years ago when everyone wanted to move to Portland and people were proud to live in Portlandia.
Unfortunately, our current leaders voted to (reduce the police budget), even though we had a $1.9 billion dollar surplus in funds. So, instead of working to improve our systems, they chose to annihilate the police. Then in 2021, we had the highest number of homicides in Portland’s history…ever. We also had the most traffic fatalities in Portland’s history…ever, even though we were in a pandemic, and only a few cars were on the roads.
I would utilize a holistic program approach by including a mental health aspect to policing, including highly-trained social workers and therapists.
And, I’d quickly bring back programs that worked for 37 years, like Fareless Square and Mass Transit Safety Teams. I’d enhance those programs by bringing back informational street teams and clean up the city by bringing back street sweeping trucks. I’d also put garbage cans back on the corners.
People in Portland are dying on the streets and it’s due to lack of housing, lack of healthcare and lack of leadership in Portland.
We need new leadership.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
(See #5 above) Yes, I would dramatically restore and increase funding to the police. Portland Street Response (“PSR”) is a good idea but needs to be expanded to be more effective. Currently, PSR can only assist with very low-level calls. They’re not able to help with people contemplating suicide, any domestic abuse/IPV, and/or any call involving potential violence.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
CLIMATE:
I will work to create a healthy and sustaining environment by working to create a coalition of community gardens, which will lower our carbon footprint and lower food insecurity. I will also work to facilitate free food pantries (like little libraries) by reaching out and coordinating with nonprofit organizations such as Oregon Food Bank and the Free Fridge Project to make sure all people have access to food. I’ll also work to create tax reductions for people who commute to work via bike and/or foot.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
WORKING CLASS SUPPORT:
I was born and raised in Portland, in a family with 9 kids. Dad was a union laborer, who worked in a lumber mill. I will always support the rights of laborers to form unions and help facilitate transparency during negotiations.
ED BAKER
In addressing homelessness, do you plan to emphasize government-funded long-term housing as a solution? If so, how would you secure and distribute those funds? If not, what strategy would you emphasize instead?
I was homeless for 14 months in 2012-13. I overcame this with the help of Transition Projects Incorporated. I live in fully Subsidized Housing in Downtown Portland. I would be open to all options to help the homeless people. Government funding, faith-based, volunteers and anything else that helps the people in need. I think very big. I want to have an all-inclusive, large housing opportunity for the homeless. At this location, I want to have volunteers and professionals who can assist with all the needs that the occupants are facing. Counseling, medical help, advocates to help with paperwork and applications for assistance, telephones, showers, laundry, clothing, hygiene supplies, recreation, entertainment, job skills training, education, hair cuts, chiropractor, etc.
Should the city decrease its reliance on emergency congregate homeless shelters to address unsheltered homelessness (Of 1,614 total, 623 are beds in congregate shelters)? If so, what should the city do instead? If not, what benefits do emergency congregate homeless shelters have versus other strategies?
I'm not for shutting down anything until there are enough other options that will satisfy the needs that exist.
In developing your policy ideas regarding homelessness, how many homeless Portlanders have you spoken with? How would you prioritize their input about policies if elected?
I talk to homeless people on a regular basis. My campaign is run on about $200. I have a sign that I hold to advertise my candidacy. A large percentage of the people who approach and talk to me are homeless. I have received very good feedback from those I have spoken with. This position is a Nonpartisan position. I will make sure everyone in Portland is heard and represented.
Rent in Portland is skyrocketing. A recent report by Rent.com found the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland ($2,155) increased by 34.1% between February 2021 and February 2022. For that cost to be affordable per HUD guidelines, a renter would need an annual salary approaching $90,000 — well beyond the median household income ($73,159) or average individual income ($43,811) in Portland according to U.S. Census data. What tangible, concrete solutions, if any, do you propose to address the rapidly rising cost of rent in Portland?
Rent prices are insane. The rent where I live was raised at least 20% during the pandemic. There should be limits on how much rent is allowed to be raised for existing tenants.
Among actions you would take to address pandemic recovery, which is the most important? What is a policy you endorse for promoting pandemic recovery?
The Pandemic shouldn't have shut anything down. I am opposed to all mandates surrounding the pandemic. Masks, social distancing, vaccinations, etc. It was a big shame that the Libraries and other places homeless people could go to get in out of the weather were closed down. I believe in personal choices and freedom. If you want to wear a mask, wear a mask. If you think a vaccination is right for you, go get it. Those who choose not to wear a mask or get a vaccination shouldn't be discriminated against.
What is your plan for addressing crime and public safety? Are you in favor of raising the police budget? Do you believe that law enforcement-alternative programs such as Portland Street Response are important in addressing and preventing crime?
I run on truth and accountability. I had a gambling addiction for most of my life. That led me down a path which ultimately led to a felony conviction in January 2009. That was on my record until March 2022. It has now been expunged. I suffered the consequences for my actions. I expect those who break the law to be held accountable. Defeating ANTIFA is important to me. Cleaning up the city. Taking down the graffiti and the murals dedicated to career criminals and thugs. I am a big supporter of good police officers. I take a very strong stance against the "Thin Blue Line"/"Blue Shield" and anything that protects police who abuse their power. I am for raising the police budget, if that is what it takes to clean up Portland. When someone is arrested, they need to be prosecuted instead of having charges dropped. I have heard positive things about Portland Street Response and am in favor of programs like this.
If elected, what is a specific action you would take to address climate change and climate justice?
I don't take any significant action related to climate change.
Will you prioritize and support the rights of labor unions? How will you approach possible labor issues that arise?
I will represent everyone who legally lives in Portland, Oregon. Whether they are a part of a labor union or not.
CITY AUDITOR
SIMONE REDE
What are your qualifications for this position?
My qualifications for Portland City Auditor include two professional auditing certifications and more than 15 years of public service experience. I am a Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Government Auditing Professional with nearly a decade of performance auditing experience from the Oregon Audits Division and Metro Regional Government. I have a master’s degree in public policy and a bachelor’s degree in urban studies. I also have experience delivering services in Portland-area schools to youth and families, including Spanish speakers. My qualifications prove that I have the knowledge and skills needed to assess performance measurement and management—a critical area for auditors in the public sector—and effectively engage communities. As a certified government performance auditor, I uphold ethical principles, including the public interest.
What will be your first action if elected as auditor?
My first action if elected as auditor would be to start building effective working relationships within the auditor’s office and across city bureaus. Because the auditor does not have the authority to enforce audit recommendations, she must establish trust with other city leaders to grow the office’s credibility and increase the likelihood that actions will be taken to improve city programs and services.
What are your three main priorities if elected?
My three main priorities if elected are to innovate and expand Portland’s nation-leading tradition of performance auditing, ensure health, safety, and equity as the city provides services to people experiencing homelessness, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the auditor’s office’s divisions. This includes soliciting audit and investigation topics from impacted communities and prioritizing those that matter to them. It also requires identifying and closing gaps in service usage and evaluating service outcomes. I will also sustain efforts to grow awareness of the office’s functions and build pathways to them, allowing more people to share in its power to inform government action and hold our leaders to account.
Will you commit to auditing city offices, programs and finances as they relate to the homelessness crisis for financial efficiency, overall effectiveness and equity? If so, how would you ensure a timely and effective response? If not, why not?
Yes. Strong, independent oversight is needed to ensure that the city’s solutions to our homelessness crisis provide their intended benefits and make good use of public dollars. I would look for ways to improve data and increase public health, safety, and equity of services early on. To ensure a timely and effective response, I would prioritize auditing new initiatives, like the audit I led of Metro’s affordable housing bond program. That audit reviewed the $652.8 million bond measure as it was being implemented to ensure long-term success. Going in early, from an outside perspective, can bring focus to areas for improvement before programs get off track so that dollars are saved, and outcomes are achieved. I would also leverage my relationships with other government audit leaders to gain awareness of emerging issues and ensure appropriate audit coverage of our region’s response.
Last year, Portland’s auditor found the Portland Business Alliance repeatedly broke city lobbying rules when it failed to disclose instances of contacting public officials to request funding or actions. The PBA continues to be an influential organization in city politics. Would you continue to monitor the actions of the PBA?
Absolutely. I would monitor the actions of the PBA as well as other emerging groups attempting to influence city policy. I would work to increase the transparency of lobbying regulations online and in-person to give groups the best chance at complying with the regulations. I would also look for ways to streamline the disclosure process for ease of administration on both the city and lobbying entities to ensure fairness.
If elected, what specific actions would you take to ensure that business and special interest groups are not violating city rules and unfairly influencing local politics?
I would also consider new ways to detect and prevent violations through training and the use of technology. The methods used to inform lobbyists of regulations and enforce them should evolve, especially as government embraces a hybrid in-person/virtual work environment.
How do you view the auditor's role in police accountability and transparency in Portland? Are there any aspects of the Portland Police Bureau or the practices of its officers you would commit to auditing?
I view the auditor’s role in police accountability and transparency in Portland as enduring and evolving. I am committed to continue using the auditor’s authority to conduct independent audits and investigations of the police bureau. I will also seize opportunities for the auditor’s office to inform improvements to the new community police oversight board. Those opportunities must be pursued with the utmost care, to avoid compromising the office’s independence. I would commit to following up on recommendations from a recent audit that found the police needed more direction and safeguards to properly use surveillance technology during protests. I would also commit to auditing their use of body worn cameras to improve trust with Portlanders and give the public assurance that its rights and information are being protected and used appropriately.
BRIAN SETZLER
What are your qualifications for this position?
I am a Portland Certified Public Accountant licensed in Oregon for more than 30 years. The CPA license is the top credential in the auditing profession. I have professional auditing experience with the Washington State Dept. of Revenue, as an internal auditor with Red Lion Hotels, and was an auditor for two different Big 8 international accounting firms. I am a business owner and have served on numerous nonprofit boards. My experience, expertise, and commitment to Portland make me highly qualified.
What will be your first action if elected as auditor?
The first thing I will do when elected is to meet with the staff and make a full assessment of the situation. There is a reason we say “Ready… Aim…. Fire.” I want to help get the city back on track and taking a little time to assess and plan before just firing away will make sure we use our resources effectively and efficiently and are going after the right target.
What are the three main priorities if elected?
My top three priorities are to help the city address houselessness, public safety and affordability. I also want to increase trust, transparency and accountability in city government.
Will you commit to auditing city offices, programs and finances as they relate to the homelessness crisis for financial efficiency, overall effectiveness and equity? If so, how would you ensure a timely and effective response? If not, why not?
Yes. This is the number one concern in Portland, and we must get everyone involved to address the problem with commitment, intelligence and compassion. The houseless crisis will be one of my top priorities and I will do my part to ensure the execution and implementation of citywide plans are being delivered equitably, efficiently, and effectively. The city must address this issue if we are going to get Portland back on track.
Last year, Portland’s auditor found the Portland Business Alliance repeatedly broke city lobbying rules when it failed to disclose instances of contacting public officials to request funding or actions. The PBA continues to be an influential organization in city politics. Would you continue to monitor the actions of the PBA?
The Auditor’s office oversees public lobbying, and I will vigorously enforce the public disclosure rules. If an organization repeatedly violate the rules, I think we should assess whether the penalties are appropriate and consider adopting a three-strikes your out for repeat offenders.
If elected, what specific actions would you take to ensure that business and special interest groups are not violating city rules and unfairly influencing local politics?
As stated above, I will vigorously enforce the current rules and will assess the need for additional regulations and/or penalties. My overarching goals are to increase trust, accountability, and transparency in city government and backroom deals erode those objectives.
How do you view the auditor's role in police accountability and transparency in Portland? Are there any aspects of the Portland Police Bureau or the practices of its officers you would commit to auditing?
I strongly support police accountability and transparency. I believe the Auditor’s office has an important role in the process as we transition from old system to the new PCCEP system, passed by voters in 2020. Public safety is one of my priorities and I plan to take a holistic approach to improving public safety for all our citizens. Areas I would like to potentially audit are response times throughout the city as well as staffing levels and overtime.
At the time of publishing we did not recieve responses from candidates: Avraham Cox, Sandeep Bali, Michael Simpson, Sofi Sumney-Koivisto, Steven Cox, Rene Gonzalez, Chad Leisey, Jeffrey Wilebski and Joseph Whitcomb.
Editor’s note: Answers are edited for length and clarity.