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We’re wrapping up a big month for my office, and I’ll end this message with a few asks. This week we have housing policies on the way and budget conversations that need your attention right now. City Council demonstrated in recent weeks how powerful community-driven policymaking can be when councilors follow through with action. On March 19th, Council passed a resolution to investigate the Zenith Energy franchise agreement. This was the first resolution passed in this new form of government which took the route of being first introduced in one of our policy committees (Transportation and Infrastructure) then referred to full Council for a vote. Passing this resolution is part of how we restore public trust.
A week later, I introduced my next resolution in the Homelessness and Housing Committee to begin the process of bringing social housing to Portland by initiating a study to evaluate what financing and implementation could look like. This policy is also co-sponsored by Councilors Candace Avalos and Tiffany Koyama Lane.
We’re not done yet. This resolution needs your support. Sign up to testify for Wednesday morning or submit your written comments today.
Why social housing and why now? Housing scarcity is a threat to the City’s fiscal health and viability. Housing unaffordability drives people out, fuels evictions, and causes homelessness. More than half of Portland renters are cost-burdened, and the current housing market prices people out. Social housing models are rooted in housing as a public good, and for Portland this means we can better respond to the housing crisis and the rigid and underfunded situation that exists today. The scale of the problem is too great for us to rely on passive, market-based solutions.
Read the full text of the resolution: social housing study.
There's more. I’m also looking forward to supporting Councilor Angelita Morillo for her ordinance that would ban algorithmic rent price fixing. She invited my office as a co-sponsor to work with her to communicate the purpose of this ordinance, and we offered our analysis for the economic impacts. We regularly hear critiques about our emerging housing policies and how they pose barriers to housing development. Price fixing doesn’t belong in our rental market. We need to draw attention to the real harm that’s happening now to low-income renters especially and the ways we can protect tenants and ensure market stability. The ordinance will be heard by Council twice, and it would take effect 90 days after passage.
Sign up for public testimony to speak in front of council for two minutes. Councilor Morillo urges this action most.
Read the full text of the ordinance: algorithmic rent price fixing ban.
Stay tuned for more discussions about how we fund pedestrian facilities for District 4 and close the gaps in our sidewalk network citywide. We have plenty more transportation action ahead of us. I’m approaching policymaking with A Family Agenda for Portland in mind which prioritizes core services, constructing and maintaining safe and accessible streets, caring for our parks and recreation programs, and funding deep and permanent affordability for housing. Catch up with some recent headlines in the news for now:
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KGW: Portland council members want city to consider backing 'social housing'
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KATU: Portland leaders under pressure to re-imagine downtown as property values plummet
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Portland Tribune: Portland City Council pushes back on region’s ‘doom loop’ scenario
In Solidarity,
Mitch Green
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 Councilor Mitch Green and Portland Housing Bureau Director Helmi Hisserich proudly introduce the social housing resolution to the Homelessness and Housing Committee. (March 25, 2025)
Follow on Instagram for More Videos and Photos
Our office is working on more videos to communicate what we’re doing and telling your stories too.
Instagram @councilormitchgreen
 Stopping for Breakfast on the Bridges at Tilikum Crossing, a Portland tradition every last Friday of the month. (March 28, 2025)
Contacting Councilor Green’s Office about the Budget
This week let’s focus on relaying your budget priorities to the Mayor and all 12 councilors. Show up to a listening session and provide your testimony.
- What areas of our city need more resources?
- What does A Family Agenda for Portland look like to you?
Leave your budget comments here.
Councilor Mitch Green welcomes members of the public to contact his office to provide feedback and ask questions. There are several ways councilors make themselves accessible. Use this tool on the website to look up your district and contact information for councilors. All messages sent using the website form will reach councilors and their staff.
Councilor Green posing with the dragon boats at the waterfront. (March 29, 2025)
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