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c3Category — Housing & Homelessness
Posted inNews

Council Grills City Administrators About Unbudgeted Housing Funds During First Oversight Hearing

Despite claims of renewed transparency, new records show city leadership was told not to accept requests from councilors regarding current budget talks.
Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

Portland City Council launched its first ever oversight hearing Thursday, April 23, to determine why the administrative branch of the city did not disclose millions of dollars in unspent housing funds for several months last year. On November 20, 2025, the City Council approved a routine budget adjustment called the Fall Technical Ordinance Adjustment (TAO). […]

Posted inMercury 2025 Recap

Mercury 2025 Recap: Housing and Homelessness

Avatar photoAvatar photo Jeremiah Hayden and Courtney Vaughn

In 2025, new elected leadership in Portland presented a change of course in the city’s approach to housing and homelessness. At times, the mayor’s vision clashed with that of city councilors, with the mayor focused on expanding shelters and the Council focused on reshaping housing policy.  Portland’s City Council adopted new policies aimed at combating […]

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372 Multnomah County Residents Died While Homeless in 2024

Multnomah County’s Domicile Unknown report shows 18% decline in homeless deaths from 2023 to 2024. Overdose, transportation, assault are main contributors.
Avatar photo Jeremiah Hayden

At least 372 Multnomah County residents died while homeless in 2024, according to the county’s latest Domicile Unknown report. That’s down 18 percent from the 2023 high of 456. Multnomah County releases its Domicile Unknown report in December each year, compiling demographic data and cause of death for the prior year. The county published the […]

Posted inNews

Former Housing Director Says She Was Told Not to Disclose Millions in Unspent Funds

A memo Helmi Hisserich sent to city councilors says city administration viewed unspent funds as “a big PR problem.”
Avatar photo Jeremiah Hayden

This story has been updated to include comments from Deputy City Administrator Donnie Olivera’s office.  The former director of the Portland Housing Bureau says she was ousted for trying to advance City Council’s social housing policy and was unfairly blamed for revenue that went unspent prior to her appointment to the bureau’s top position. Helmi […]

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Oregon Sues Trump’s USDA Over Yanked SNAP Benefits for Refugees

Attorney General Dan Rayfield and 21 states ask district court to reinstate Green Card holders’ eligibility for benefits.
Avatar photo Jeremiah Hayden

Oregon and New York are leading a new lawsuit alongside 20 other states, arguing the Trump administration violated the law when it attempted to pull food assistance benefits from immigrants with lawful resident status in the United States. A complaint filed in the US District Court of Oregon in Eugene on November 26 said US […]

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Oregon’s Dismantling of Longstanding Houseless Encampment Highlights Broader Problems

For a decade, residents lived in the Sandy River Delta wilderness. Last month, they were forced out, sending dozens of people to the streets and back into a system that has already failed them.
Avatar photo Kevin Foster

From relative stability in an established community, to being repeatedly swept on the streets of Multnomah County, unhoused residents formerly living in the Sandy River Delta highlight a breakdown in the fight to address homelessness.  A community of over 30 people was swept out of what’s known as the Thousand Acres recreation zone on October […]

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Portland City Council Votes to Adopt AI Rental Price-Fixing Software Ban

The proposal to ban algorithmic rental pricing software underwent several revisions to protect the city from lawsuits. City Council approved the ordinance, despite resistance from a few holdouts.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Updated: November 20: Portland City Council voted Wednesday night to adopt Councilor Angelita Morillo’s proposed AI rental price-fixing ban, with eight councilors in support. In addition to co-sponsors Green, and Koyama Lane, the ordinance was approved by Councilors Dunphy, Avalos, Kanal, Loretta Smith, and Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney. Clark and Ryan voted no, and Councilors […]

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Portland Budget Tweak Causes Heated Discussion on Homelessness

A failed amendment to put homeless sweeps funding toward rent aid brought fiery testimony from Portlanders. Mayor Wilson’s office lit the match.
Avatar photo Jeremiah Hayden

Updated November 13 at 12:52 pm City Council found themselves in a tense standoff with Mayor Keith Wilson and angry Portland residents over a councilor’s failed plan to reallocate a portion of city dollars that have been used to sweep homeless encampments. At times, those defending Wilson’s plan sat side-by-side with community members who countered […]

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