Portland’s move to zone for more affordable housing riles neighbors who feel neglected by the city – KGW

Portland’s Initiative to Address Homelessness and Affordable Housing in Centennial Neighborhood

Introduction

The Centennial neighborhood in Southeast Portland has long faced challenges related to unsheltered homelessness. Recently, the area has become the focus of new developments aimed at providing shelter and increasing low-income housing availability. This report highlights the city’s efforts in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

City Council’s Zoning Plan for Affordable Housing

Portland city councilors are expected to approve a new zoning map that will facilitate the development of affordable housing across 19 areas in the city, including a key site in the Centennial neighborhood near Southeast 148th Avenue. This rezoning aims to promote sustainable urban development and ensure access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing for all residents.

Community Perspectives and Challenges

• Support for Housing Expansion: Longtime residents like Celeste, who has lived in affordable housing for eight years, express that expanding housing options benefits low-income populations and improves community well-being.
• Concerns About Safety and Trust: Some neighbors, including Laura Long and Lori Bond, report that existing affordable housing has attracted homelessness and crime, leading to diminished trust in city governance and concerns over public safety.
• Communication Gaps: Residents note a lack of notification regarding new developments such as the recently opened city-run homeless shelter at Eastside Imago Dei Community church, which has caused unease among the community.

Case Study: Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

1. Mitchel’s Experience: A homeless individual living in an RV near the proposed housing site, Mitchel faces daily challenges including the risk of his vehicle being towed and struggles with addiction, which complicates his path to stable housing.
2. Impact of New Shelter: The newly opened shelter has served 29 people within two weeks and has capacity for 96 nightly, indicating progress toward SDG 1 by providing immediate support to vulnerable populations.

City Response and Future Outlook

• The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability acknowledges public safety concerns but emphasizes that zoning changes are essential to increasing affordable housing stock.
• The updated zoning map, pending city council approval and subsequent Oregon Legislature endorsement, will enable construction of four-story apartment buildings aimed at addressing the severe rent burden faced by many Portland residents.
• City analysis reveals that one in four renters in Portland spend over half their income on housing, highlighting the urgency of meeting the demand for over 120,000 new housing units by 2045.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDG 1 – No Poverty: Expanding affordable housing and opening shelters directly support poverty alleviation by providing secure living conditions for low-income and homeless individuals.
2. SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: The city’s initiatives aim to reduce disparities in housing access, ensuring marginalized groups receive adequate support.
3. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Rezoning and housing development promote inclusive, safe, and resilient urban environments.

Conclusion

Portland’s efforts to rezone areas for affordable housing and open new shelters represent significant steps toward achieving sustainable urban development and social equity. While community concerns highlight the need for improved communication and safety measures, the initiatives align closely with the Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to provide inclusive and affordable housing solutions for all residents.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses homelessness and the development of affordable housing, directly addressing poverty reduction.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article mentions issues related to addiction and public safety, which impact health and well-being.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The focus on low-income housing and support for marginalized populations relates to reducing inequalities.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The rezoning for affordable housing and shelter development aims to create inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban environments.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1 – Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, including access to basic services and housing.
2. SDG 3 – Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
3. SDG 10 – Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 11 – Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Indicator for SDG 1.4: Proportion of population living in households with access to affordable housing (implied by the focus on affordable housing units and rezoning).
• Indicator for SDG 3.5: Number of people receiving treatment for substance abuse (implied by mention of addiction as a barrier to housing).
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of low-income population with access to social inclusion programs and housing (implied by the development of low-income housing and shelters).
• Indicator for SDG 11.1: Proportion of urban population living in adequate housing (implied by the city’s plan to add over 120,000 housing units and reduce rent burden).
• Additional Indicator: Percentage of renters spending more than 50% of household income on housing (explicitly mentioned as “severely rent burdened”).
• Shelter Utilization Rate: Number of people served by the new shelter compared to capacity (mentioned as 29 served out of 96 capacity).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: kgw.com