$200 Million Tail Wags Oregon Public Policy Dog 10/6/02

Policy Precedes Programs
Governments, businesses and institutions of all kinds follow this well established fundamental process. Even George W. Bush understands that before his administration spends $200 billion on a controversial war and nation "remodeling" program it must first establish a policy to justify its course of action. While you may disagree with the wisdom of "preemptive" as a radical and dangerous change in a fifty year old national defense policy and you may be concerned that the Iraqi "remodel" project has not had sufficient public input from all the stake holders, nonetheless even that "housing" project now complies with a publicly stated policy.

Until August 26, 2002 none of the contributors to the $200 million Columbia Villa remodel project knew how many Housing Authority of Portland clients were in each neighborhood throughout Multnomah County, HAP's area of responsibility. On August 26 an email, Let The Debates Begin, was sent to a very large constituency of interested parties listing the number of HAP clients by neighborhood in Multnomah County. In addition, a web site was established which published this information, a map and other background information, http://www.goodgrowthnw.org . It is now necessary for every participant to reevaluate their contribution in light of the newly revealed public policy implications

The state of Oregon, Multnomah County, the City of Portland, Bank of America, etc. are about to jointly spend $200 million on a housing project. However, none of these institutions have first adopted a public policy which says, "Low income clients are best served by gathering as many of them as possible into a single compound of government owned buildings. We support the herding of an overwhelming number of low-income people into the single neighborhood which already has the highest number of HAP low-income clients in the city of Portland, Multnomah county and the state of Oregon. We acknowledge that neighborhood stability and community balance are irrelevant to our purposes."

Surprisingly, the state of Oregon turns out to be the largest single provider or funds, $65 million. This contribution comes from competitive applications for Private Activity Bonds and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Since August 26, 2002 when dramatic and significantly new information was made publicly available neither Governor Kitzhaber, State Treasurer Randall Edwards, nor any member of the Oregon Legislature has come forward to proclaim support for or establishment of the de facto public policy (see above) resulting from this $200 million project. Surely there are legislators from places outside Multnomah County whose districts were denied these funds who now are questioning the new state public policy which is created by granting these financial awards.

The Bank of America proposes a $62.5 million financing role. Yet since August 26, 2002 when dramatic and significantly new information was made publicly available neither Daniel S. Anderson, Senior Vice President nor any other Bank of America officer has come forward to acknowledge Bank of America's corporate commitment to the public policy (see above) supported by B of A's multimillion dollar private financing which will provide significant profit making opportunities.

The City of Portland has committed $20 million to this project. Yet since August 26, 2002 when dramatic and significantly new information was made publicly available not a single member of the Portland City Council (Vera Katz, Jim Francesconi, Erik Sten, Dan Saltzman), nor either of the candidates aspiring to that office (Randy Leonard, Serena Cruz), has affirmed the public policy (see above) which attaches to their contribution.

On June 15th, 2001 Senator Gordon Smith, Senator Ron Wyden, Congressman David Wu, Congressman Greg Walden, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Congressman Peter DeFazio and Congresswoman Darlene Hooley signed a letter to the HUD Secretary in support of the HOPE VI grant application. Yet since August 26, 2002 when dramatic and significantly new information was made publicly available none of our representatives in Washington D.C. have approached a microphone to explain their continuing support for a project which creates a public policy (see above) which will permanently establish Oregon's largest low-income housing ghetto.

Curiously, in spite of the fact that this $200 million project has been operational for far more than a year, HAP officials still have not published a time line for major public milestones and decision making. This cannot be blamed on the fact that this project has already had three project coordinators.

I offer every publicly elected official that may have any connection to or interest in the $200 million Columbia Villa remodel project the opportunity to visit with me for a friendly private briefing and discussion on the history, status and consequences of this program.

I also renew my challenge to debate any publicly elected official that is willing to state for the record, "Low income clients are best served by gathering as many of them as possible into a single compound of government owned buildings. I support the herding of an overwhelming number of low-income people into the single neighborhood which already has the highest number of HAP low-income clients in the city of Portland, Multnomah county and the state of Oregon. I acknowledge that neighborhood stability and community balance are irrelevant to this purpose."