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Updated: 2 hours ago

Newly created Portland task force will study how to tackle housing shortage

Portland City Hall exterior on a rainy day File photo / Renee Cordes Portland City Hall
By Tina Fischer

Portland’s City Council has initiated a structured approach to addressing the housing crisis with the creation of a 12-member Social Housing Task Force.

The committee was established by the Council this past spring and had its first meeting on Aug. 18.

The group’s primary charge, according to the Council’s resolution in creating the panel is, “to study and propose a framework for a municipal social housing program that prioritizes permanent affordability, environmental sustainability and inclusivity.” 

Portland has seen a population increase of nearly 3% over the last decade — residents now number just over 68,000 — and the city is experiencing a housing shortage across all income levels, according to the resolution.

Objectives

The task force has been given a list of 13 objectives including pinpointing areas where municipal intervention could facilitate an increase in supply and affordability, assessing ways to expedite planning and permitting and establishing a sustainable funding stream. 

The group is required to submit a report and recommendations to the City Council by the end of August 2026.

A dozen members have been selected from a field of 25 candidates who offered to serve and include:

  • One affordable housing developer
  • One representative from a market developer
  • At least three Portland residents with relevant knowledge or skills (e.g. housing advocates, urban planners, financial or legal experts)
  • One member of the board of the Portland Housing Authority,
  • At least two members of the community from underserved populations with lived experience navigating the city’s challenging housing environment 
  • At least one City Council member.

Council member Kate Sykes was elected co-chair at the Aug. 18 meeting, along with Jon Fetherston, and reported to Mainebiz that the group’s first forum was productive.

Provided photo
Kate Sykes, Portland City Council District 5

“We agreed to structure the group with one formal voting meeting and one educational session per month. Next up, we’ll be taking a deep dive into Portland’s current development pipeline and explore social housing models from across the country to see where we can have the most impact," Sykes said. 

She said members of the task force have experience with low income housing tax credits, market-rate and public development, homeless veteran services and community advocacy.

"There’s clearly a shared commitment to delivering an actionable, fiscally sound plan for the Council within the next year,” Sykes said. 

In addition to Sykes and Fetherston, members of the task force are:

  • City Councilor Sarah Michniewicz
  • Paul Styslinger
  • Bill Stauffer
  • Jason Spector
  • Cat Buxton
  • Wendy Cherubini
  • Cullen Ryan
  • Matthew Peters
  • Kristin Leffler
  • Jonathan Culley


 

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