This is a historic moment for Portland. And it’s an opportunity for all Portlanders to decide: what kind of city do we want for ourselves and our families?
In January 2025, we will have a new mayor, who will be joined by a new city manager, and a new 12-person city council. That new city council will have been elected from four districts, ensuring representation from every corner of our city.
This new city council must be ready to roll up their sleeves, work together collaboratively, and deliver real solutions to our tough problems.
We must make faster progress on the unsheltered homelessness crisis. We can’t just wait until there’s enough affordable housing for everyone. Portland needs a rapid expansion of safe, clean, and secure temporary shelters and approved camping sites – and a ban on unauthorized camping throughout the city. We support Governor Tina Kotek’s statewide homelessness state of emergency – and want to see elected officials at every level making sure that we’re taking action and funding solutions.
Affordable housing remains a critical need in our community. We need the city government to cut the red tape, reduce permitting time and complexity, and accelerate public support and incentives to create new affordable housing, particularly for renters.That includes getting creative about converting commercial office space into housing.
We have a public safety crisis on our streets. Those suffering from addiction or mental illness must have adequate access to treatment, and when behavioral health challenges become a public safety threat, law enforcement needs to be able to require folks to seek treatment. It will take a combination of expanded social services – including Portland Street Response – to assist those in trouble alongside a law enforcement response to ensure that every family is safe and feels safe walking downtown and in their neighborhood.
Portlanders deserve a responsive 911 system. When you call, someone should answer the phone. And when you need police, fire, or ambulance service, first responders should arrive fast. Law enforcement should have the resources and personnel they need to actively curb gun violence, auto and retail theft, and drug trafficking.
As Portlanders, we love our parks and natural places. Our parks should be safe, well-lit, and well-maintained. Our sidewalks and bike lanes should be clean and safe. And we need to clean up the garbage from our public spaces. We need a Parks Bureau that expands opportunities for children to play, get exercise, and learn to swim.
Portland can be a national leader when it comes to the climate crisis. We can reduce our impact on the environment and create clean energy jobs in low-income communities.
Portland has been – and can once again be – one of the best places in America to start a small business, create jobs, and thrive. Our economy is driven by small business, but Portland is one of the hardest places in the country to start a small business. We need the city government to help small business owners navigate starting their business, not throw up roadblocks and red tape.