Metro's $652.8 Million Public Housing CON Job

Metro is NOT defining PUBLIC HOUSING as a Regional Issue. It is just throwing more money at the failed establishment status quo policies.

If you thought that Metro’s housing bond would define PUBLIC HOUSING as a REGIONAL ISSUE with Metro leading a new policy of Equitable Distribution of Public Housing among Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties you would be very wrong. Except for 10% of the $652.8 million all the money will be given to the three existing establishment Public Housing Authorities in each county. Policy and spending patterns will just be more of the same. Portland mayor Ted Wheeler’s discredited and abhorrent policy of Targeted, UNLIMITED Neighborhood Concentration of PUBLIC HOUSING will remain the guiding policy for all three counties. 

I asked all the elected officials in the Metro catchment area to look at the statistics below which they should find helpful in conversations with their constituents about whether to support or oppose the Metro bond in November. This data raises the following questions which I put to each of them. Their answers are below.

1.Now that you have seen the statistics below do you oppose the Metro Housing Bond?

To date only Washington County Chair Andy Duyck has publicly stated his opposition. See names below.

2. What is your policy argument against parity, i.e. equal proportions of Public Housing units as a percentage of total housing units among Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties?

As you can see from the statistics below Metro is exacerbating the blatant and unjustified inequity of Public Housing Unit distribution among Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties. Metro is not taking policy responsibility for regional equitable distribution of Pubic Housing rather is it holding a fundraiser in support to the NIMBY Favoritism and Economic Segregationist housing policy established and promoted by Portland’s mayor on a multi-county scale.

If Metro’s bond passes ALL proceeds should go to Washington and Clackamas counties. It won’t make parity but it would be a good start.

All opposed parity without providing a single argument to defend their position. See names below.

3. Would you support setting goals for minimum and maximum Pubic Housing Units e.g. 5% min and 15% maximum/total housing units in every neighborhood or equivalent in your jurisdiction?

Setting goals would expedite the Public Housing decision making process by automatically eliminating those areas that have reached their maximum and encouraging placement at those places on the low end of the scale.

All opposed setting goals for minimum and maximum Pubic Housing Units without providing a single argument to defend their position. See names below.

4. On what grounds do you oppose a policy of returning a portion of the Metro bond proceeds to your constituent households that qualify for PUBLIC HOUSING i.e. <=80% MFI?

Raising property taxes for the purpose of keeping the cost of housing “affordable” for households that qualify for PUBLIC HOUSING i.e. <=80% MFI is counter productive.

All opposed a policy of returning a portion of the Metro bond proceeds to their constituent households that qualify for PUBLIC HOUSING i.e. <=80% MFI without providing a single argument to defend their position. See names below.

CURRENT STATUS

Multnomah county

State Data On Public Housing Units: 24165

Section 8 Public Housing Units: 9732

Portland Housing Bond Units $258.4m: $167,384/unit = 1544 units

TOTAL Public Housing Units: 35,441

TOTAL Housing Units: 352,240

% Public Housing Units of TOTAL Housing Units: 10.06%

Population: 790,294

TOTAL Public Housing Units/Population: 4.48%

Washington county

State Data On Public Housing Units: 7610

Section 8 Public Housing Units: 2619

TOTAL Public Housing Units: 10,229

TOTAL Housing Units: 219,819

% Public Housing Units of TOTAL Housing Units: 4.65%

Population: 574,326

% TOTAL Public Housing Units/Population: 1.78%

Clackamas county

State Data On Public Housing Units: 3558

Section 8 Public Housing Units: 1500

TOTAL Public Housing Units: 5,058

TOTAL Housing Units: 161,005

% Public Housing Units of TOTAL Housing Units: 3.14%

Population: 408,062

% TOTAL Public Housing Units/Population: 1.23%

AFTER METRO BOND

Multnomah county

State Data On Public Housing Units: 24165

Section 8 Public Housing Units: 9732

Portland Housing Bond Units $258.4m: 167384/unit = 1544 units

METRO Bond Units: 1846

TOTAL Public Housing Units: 37,287

TOTAL Housing Units: 354086

% Public Housing Units of TOTAL Housing Units: 10.53%

Population: 790,294

TOTAL Public Housing Units/Population: 4.95%

Washington county

State Data On Public Housing Units: 7610

Section 8 Public Housing Units: 2619

METRO Bond Units: 1178

TOTAL Public Housing Units: 11,407

TOTAL Housing Units: 220,997

% Public Housing Units of TOTAL Housing Units: 5.16%

Population: 574,326

% TOTAL Public Housing Units/Population: 1.98%

Clackamas county

State Data On Public Housing Units: 3558

Section 8 Public Housing Units: 1500

METRO Bond Units: 876

TOTAL Public Housing Units: 5,934

TOTAL Housing Units: 161,881

% Public Housing Units of TOTAL Housing Units: 3.66%

Population: 408,062

% TOTAL Public Housing Units/Population: 1.45%

Here are details for Multnomah County

These neighborhoods have ZERO PUBLIC HOUSING Units.

• Alameda
• Ardenwald-Johnson Creek
• Arlington Heights
• Arnold Creek
• Ashcreek
• Beaumont-Wilshire
• Bridgeton
• Collins View
• East Columbia
• Eastmoreland
• Far Southwest
• Forest Park
• Grant Park
• Hayden Island
• Healy Heights
• Hillside
• Homestead
• Linnton
• Maplewood
• Markham
• Marshall Park
• Mt Tabor
• Northwest Heights
• Parkrose Heights
• Russell
• South Burlingame
• Southwest Hills - Mayor Wheeler lives here
• Sumner
• Sunderland
• Sylvan-Highlands
• West Portland Park - Amanda Fritz lives here
• Woodstock
• Gresham - Hollybrook
• Gresham - Mount Hood
• Gresham - Southwest

PUBLIC HOUSING is a class of housing defined as, Means Test (<=80%MFI) + Government Subsidy (any government any type) + rental agreement.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING is a mathematical construct defined as, Rent/Mortgage + Insurance + Taxes + Utilities <=30% Household Income. EVERY house, condo and apartment is AFFORDABLE to someone.

State Data On Public Housing Units is provided by the Oregon Department of Housing And Community Services. Go here.

Section 8 Public Housing Units. Mayor Wheeler refused to allow the Public Housing Authority of Multnomah County to disclose the public record addresses of the 9732 Section 8 Public Housing Units in Multnomah county. Section 8 Units were apportioned to neighborhoods using a formula relating to the amount of Public Housing units indicated by the Oregon Department of Housing And Community Services. If you would like more precise locations ask Portland mayor Ted Wheeler , Multnomah County Executive Deborah Kafoury or the Metro Executive Tom Hughes.

Total # of Households was gleaned from Internet government sites and other sources.

Metro

Sam Chase <sam.chase@oregonmetro.gov>, Carlotta Collette <Carlotta.Collette@oregonmetro.gov>, Shirley Craddick <shirley.craddick@oregonmetro.gov>, Craig Dirksen <craig.dirksen@oregonmetro.gov>, Kathryn Harrington <kathryn.harrington@oregonmetro.gov>, Tom Hughes <tom.hughes@oregonmetro.gov>, Bob Stacey <bob.stacey@oregonmetro.gov>

County Commissioners

Multnomah

Deborah Kafoury <deborah.kafoury@multco.us>, Sharon Meieran <sharon.meieran@multco.us>, Loretta Smith <loretta.smith@multco.us>, Lori Stegmann <lori.stegmann@multco.us>, Jessica Vega Pederson <jessica.vegapederson@multco.us>

Washington

Dick Schouten <dick_schouten@co.washington.or.us>, Andy Duyck <andy_duyck@co.washington.or.us>, Roy Rogers <roy_rogers@co.washington.or.us>, Greg Malinowski <greg_malinowski@co.washington.or.us>, Bob Terry <Bob_Terry@co.washington.or.us>

Clackamas

Ken Humberston <khumberston@clackamas.us>, Ken Humberston <khumberston@co.clackamas.or.us>, Jim Bernard <jbernard@co.clackamas.or.us>, Martha Schrader <mschrader@co.clackamas.or.us>, Paul Savas <psavas@co.clackamas.or.us>

City Councils - Multnomah

Portland

Chloe Eudaly <chloe@portlandoregon.gov>, Nick Fish <nick@portlandoregon.gov>, Amanda Fritz <Amanda@portlandoregon.gov>, Dan Saltzman <dan@portlandoregon.gov>, Ted Wheeler <MayorWheeler@portlandoregon.gov>

Gresham

Karylinn Echols <karylinn.echols@greshamoregon.gov>, Kirk French <kirk.french@greshamoregon.gov>, Shane Bemis <Shane.Bemis@greshamoregon.gov>, Mario Palmero <Mario.Palmero@GreshamOregon.gov>, Jerry Hinton <Jerry.Hinton@GreshamOregon.gov>, David Widmark <David.Widmark@GreshamOregon.gov>, janine.gladfelter@greshamoregon.gov

Fairview

Lisa Barton Mullins <bartonmullinsl@ci.fairview.or.us>, Brian Cooper <cooperb@ci.fairview.or.us>, Cathi Forsythe <forsythec@ci.fairview.or.us>, Keith Kudrna <kudrnak@ci.fairview.or.us>, Ted Tosterud <tosterudt@ci.fairview.or.us>, Natile Voruz <voruzn@ci.fairview.or.us>, Mike Weatherby <weatherbym@ci.fairview.or.us>

Wood Village

Mark Clark <markc@ci.wood-village.or.us>, Timothy Clark <timc@ci.wood-village.or.us>, Scott Harden <scotth@ci.wood-village.or.us>, Bruce Nissen <brucen@ci.wood-village.or.us>, Patricia Smith <PatriciaS@ci.Wood-Village.or.us>

Maywood Park

Matthew Castor <mcastor@cityofmaywoodpark.com>, Jim Akers <jakers@cityofmaywoodpark.com>, Art Winslow <awinslow@cityofmaywoodpark.com>, Mark Hardie <mhardie@cityofmaywoodpark.com>, Dave Snodgrass <dsnodgrass@cityofmaywoodpark.com>

City Councils - Washington

Beaverton

Marc San Soucie <msansoucie@beavertonoregon.gov>, Catherine Arnold <carnold@beavertonoregon.gov>, Betty Bode <bbode@beavertonoregon.gov>, Denny Doyle <ddoyle@beavertonoregon.gov>, Lacey Beaty <lbeaty@beavertonoregon.gov>, Mark Fagin <mfagin@beavertonoregon.gov>

Hillsboro

Olivia Alcaire <olivia.alcaire@hillsboro-oregon.gov>, Fred Nachtigal <fred.natchtigal@hillsboro-oregon.gov>, Steve Callaway <Stevec@ci.hillsboro.or.us>, Rick Van Beveren <rick.vanbeveren@hillsboro-oregon.gov>, Anthony Martin <anthony.martin@hillsboro-oregon.gov>, Darell Lumaco <Darelll@ci.hillsboro.or.us>, Kyle Allen <kyle.allen@hillsboro-oregon.gov>

Tigard

John Cook <MayorCook@tigard-or.gov>, John Goodhouse <JGoodhouse@tigard-or.gov>, Jason Snider <Jason@tigard-or.gov>, Marc Woodard <marcw@tigard-or.gov>, Tom Anderson <TomA@tigard-or.gov>

Forest Grove

Matt Vandehey <mvandehey@forestgrove-or.gov>, Elena Uhing <euhing@forestgrove-or.gov>, Timothy Rippe <trippe@forestgrove-or.gov>, Malynda Wenzl <mwenzl@forestgrove-or.gov>, Peter Truax <ptruax@forestgrove-or.gov>, Ronald Thompson <rthompson@forestgrove-or.gov>, Tom Johnston <tjohnston@forestgrove-or.gov>

Sherwood

Jennifer Kuiper <kuiperj@sherwoodoregon.gov>, Sean Garland <garlands@sherwoodoregon.gov>, Kim Young <youngk@sherwoodoregon.gov>, Tim Rosener <rosenert@sherwoodoregon.gov>, Renee Brouse <brouser@sherwoodoregon.gov>, Russell Griffin <griffinr@sherwoodoregon.gov>, Lee Weislogel <weislogell@sherwoodoregon.gov>

Cornelius

Harley Crowder <hcrowder@ci.cornelius.or.us>, Jeffrey Dalin <jdalin@ci.cornelius.or.us>, Steve Heinrich <sheinrich@ci.cornelius.or.us>, Jose Orozco <jorozco@ci.cornelius.or.us>, Dave Schamp <dschamp@ci.cornelius.or.us>

North Plains

Cameron Martinez <Cameron.Martinez@northplains.org>, Russ Sheldon <Russ.sheldon@northplains.org>, Larry Gonzales <larry_gonzales@northplains.org>, Sherrie Simmons <sherrie_simmons@northplains.org>, Teri Lenahan <teri_lenahan@northplains.org>, Robert Kindel <robert_kindel@northplains.org>, Garth Eimers <thezins@aol.com>

King City

Kenneth Gibson <kgibson@ci.king-city.or.us>, Billie Reynolds <azreynolds@juno.com>, John Boylston <john.boylston@gmail.com>, Bob Olmstead <bolmstead@hotmail.com>, Jaimie Fender <jfender@ci.king-city.or.us>, Gretchen Buehner <gbuehnerlaw@yahoo.com>, Smart Ocholi <smartocholi@yahoo.com>

Banks

Teri Branstitire <tbranstitre@cityofbanks.org>, Pete Edison <pedison@cityofbanks.org>, Mark Gregg <mgregg@cityofbanks.org>, Stephanie Jones <sjones@cityofbanks.org>, Dan Keller <dkeller@cityofbanks.org>, Michael Nelson <mnelson@cityofbanks.org>, Mark Walsh <mwalsh@cityofbanks.org>

Durham

Gery Schirado <mayor.cityofdurham@comcast.net>

City Councils - Clackamas

Oregon City

Nancy Ide <iden@orcity.org>, Dan Holladay <dholladay@orcity.org>, Brian Shaw <bshaw@orcity.org>

West Linn

Bob Martin <bmartin@westlinnoregon.gov>, Teri Cummings <tcummings@westlinnoregon.gov>, Brenda Perry <bperry@westlinnoregon.gov>, Richard Sakelik <rsakelik@westlinnoregon.gov>, Russ Axelrod <raxelrod@westlinnoregon.gov>

Milwaukie

Shane Abma <abmas@milwaukieoregon.gov>, Wilda Parks <parksw@milwaukieoregon.gov>, Lisa Batey <bateyl@milwaukieoregon.gov>, Angel Falconer <falconera@milwaukieoregon.gov>, Scott Churchill <churchills@milwaukieoregon.gov>, Mark Gamba <gambam@milwaukieoregon.gov>

Happy Valley

David Golobay <davidg@happyvalleyor.gov>, Tom Ellis <tome@happyvalleyor.gov>, Markley Drake <markleyd@happyvalleyor.gov>, Lori DeRemer <lorid@happyvalleyor.gov>, Brett Sherman <bretts@happyvalleyor.gov>

Canby

Tyler Smith <smitht@canbyoregon.gov>, Sarah Spoon <spoons@canbyoregon.gov>, Tim Dale <dalet@canbyoregon.gov>, Greg Parker <parkerg@canbyoregon.gov>, Tracie Heidt <heidtt@canbyoregon.gov>, Tracey Hensley <hensleyt@canbyoregon.gov>, Brian Hodson <hodsonb@canbyoregon.gov>

Gladstone

Patrick McMahon <mcmahon@ci.gladstone.or.us>, Thomas Mersereau <mersereau@ci.gladstone.or.us>, Neal Reisner <reisner@ci.gladstone.or.us>, Linda Neace <neace@ci.gladstone.or.us>, Tamara Stempel <tstempel@ci.gladstone.or.us>

Sandy

Carl Exner <cexner@ci.sandy.or.us>, Olga Gerberg <ogerberg@ci.sandy.or.us>, John Hamblin <jhamblin@ci.sandy.or.us>, Donald Hollis <don.hollis@9round.com>, Scott Horsfall <shorsfall@ci.sandy.or.us>, William King <bking@cityofsandy.com>, Jeremy Pietzold <jpietzold@ci.sandy.or.us>

Molalla

Jimmy Thompson <jthompson@cityofmolalla.com>, Keith Swigart <kswigart@cityofmolalla.com>, Leota Childress <lchildress@cityofmolalla.com>, Cindy Dragowsky <cdragowsky@cityofmolalla.com>, Elizabeth Klein <eklein@cityofmolalla.com>, DeLise Palumbo <dpalumbo@cityofmolalla.com>, Glen Boreth <Gboreth@cityofmolalla.com>

Estacada

Sean Drinkwine <seandrinkwine@cityofestacada.org>, K.C Spangler <kcspangler@cityofestacada.org>, Aaron Gant <aarongant@cityofestacada.org>, Lanelle King <lanelleking@cityofestacada.org>, Dan Neujahr <danneujahr@cityofestacada.org>, Luke Wever <lukewever@cityofestacada.org>, Justin Gates <justingates@cityofestacada.org>

Richard Ellmyer

Author of more stories on the politics, players and policies of Public Housing in Oregon over the last seventeen years than all other journalists and elected officials combined.

Author of The Ellmyer Report, a newsletter that informs, educates and influences on public policy. Occasionally distributed to more than a quarter of million readers in Oregon and beyond. Facebook, Portland Politics Plus . Contributor: Patch news