Speaking with my peers reminded me that when national politics is frustrating, it’s important that we focus on what we can do in our own backyard.

During the summit, I represented Portland on a panel to discuss local ways we can address extreme heat with mayors from Utah and Southern California. Of course, I had to shout out the work being done through the Portland Clean Energy Fund and other policies like “right to cool.”

When other cities are having to cut climate programs back, Portland is only scaling up! That’s why we can’t let PCEF be raided to plug other budget holes.

More information here:

District 1’s topic was aftercare. Next up will be District 2, 3, and 4 — keep an eye out for town hall announcements in each district, each with its own topic!

🏘️Transitional housing programs
👥More staff (so they can lower their response time and get to more places)
🏠Overnight shelters in East Portland, more places where people can hang out during the day
🏥A health clinic on the east side

Several community members in the audience asked what would make PSR’s job easier. Staff answered that their work could be better supported through:
🏡Subsidized housing
♿️More accessible shelters that serve folks with disabilities or be open at all hours, more shelters for families and women

Candace Call to Action: PSR is currently hiring for a Community Health Worker and Peer Support Specialist and they’re encouraging people with lived experience to apply! Go to governmentjobs.com to find the application! Deadline to apply is 11/24, 1:20pm.

I won't be able to participate in today's meeting because of a scheduling conflict with the National League of Cities summit. If you want to see more of my thoughts on the TAO and context of how we got to today's vote, check out last week's thread:

Landlords and operators still have choices, but the City is no longer absorbing the social costs of those choices. If someone wants to run or host a detention facility, that decision comes with a real financial consequence.

This is in-line with statewide findings (from page 40):

"More than 320,000 (53%) renter households experienced rent burden in 2022..."

"Moreover, 1 in 4 Oregon households spent more than 50% of their income on rent, meeting the definition
of severe rent burden..."

Thank you for asking! This interactive map from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University's Rental Housing 2024 report shows that datapoint for the Portland Metro area.

There are rules that prevent us from considering new agenda items after 9pm (unless with a vote of 9 councilors) so that's it for today! Tomorrow Council is meeting at 2:00pm to vote on the Fall TAO, so I’ll be back with another livethread soon.

The amended detention fee ordinance is moved to a second reading.

After a short break, we'll discuss the amended detention fee ordinance and then move on to the last item that was pulled off of the consent agenda.

We’re voting on the Morillo amendment, with updated language based on feedback from the administration. Approved, 9-0 (and 3 absences).