City set to streamline resources for affordable housing, homelessness and economic development
From the Dec. 26 2008 edition
Mayor-Elect Sam Adams and Portland's housing commissioner Nick Fish announced on Dec. 16 the formation of a new city bureau.
The new bureau will replace the Bureau of Housing and Community Development (BHDC), the city agency responsible for economic opportunities, ending homelessness and economic development.
The new bureau will solely focus on Portland's affordable housing stock and ending homelessness, including incorporating the housing development and finance functions currently at the Portland Development Commission (PDC).
"It's a complimentary set of changes," says Kate Allen with Nick Fish's office. "The notion that we can create a new bureau with a clear focus on housing will give both the new housing bureau and the PDC much clearer direction."
The Economic Opportunity Initiative from the BHCD will be put into the hands of the PDC. The initiative is responsible for driving economic opportunities for individuals living in poverty, including building assets through job growth and working with neighborhoods to improve individuals income in revitalized neighborhoods.
"PDC is very supportive of the reorganization. It does make a lot of sense. It's a great idea. Now it's just figuring out the logistics and working with the city and within the PDC to develop the next steps," says Shawn Uhlmam, Public Affairs Manager with the PDC.
According to the city, the highly regarded economic opportunity initiative will be strengthened by closer connection with the Portland Development Commission's community economic development and workforce development programs. Mayor-elect Adams will be overseeing the integration of micro-enterprise and workforce development programs into PDC.
A memo sent by both Fish and Adams to the BHCD, PDC staff and stakeholders says, "With this change the city enhances its ability to end chronic homelessness, protect our most vulnerable residents, preserve and expand our affordable housing supply, assure housing stability, promote homeownership, and connect our investments in housing to other strategies that support vibrant, equitable neighborhoods."
Fish will oversee the transition and the newly formed housing bureau. City council will vote on the recommended changes on Jan. 14.
Currently Fish has put together a team of individuals working with the PDC and BHCD to develop a transition plan and to report back within 45 days after the mid-January vote.
Both the city and the PDC along with other affordable housing efforts are finding themselves struggling to stay above water in a shrinking economy and a sea of bureaucracy.
The lack of tax credits available (see "In need of a new deal," Joanne Zuhl, Dec. 12, Street Roots) and private financing (see "The slow grind of urban renewal," Israel Bayer, Dec. 12, Street Roots) coupled with money allocated through the 30 percent set aside for a myriad of projects, has stalled progress on housing projects citywide.
In the short-term Allen says, "We're paying a lot of attention to what's (affordable housing projects) in the pipeline and needs to move forward and be fast-tracked in the coming year."
Allen told Street Roots that while there are challenges with the current economy, it's also important to stay focused. "It's one thing to point fingers and look at the past, but it's another to say this is where we are at, and put the right heads around the table and move forward in a way that gets things done."
Asked if there are federal dollars in the pipeline for projects relating to affordable housing and homelessness in Portland, Allen told Street Roots that Fish's office is working on several strategies to get ahead of the curve, including working with representives in D.C. on a stimulus package proposal due in the coming months.
By Israel Bayer
Staff Writer
