 Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for being part of our community. This newsletter is a space to stay connected to the work, conversations, and people shaping our city.
This week’s updates reflect a continued commitment to listening, transparency, and community-centered leadership. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share these moments and for your ongoing engagement.
Thank you for being here and staying connected.
– Councilor Loretta Smith
Portland City Council – District 1
Housing, Transparency, and the Frustration We’re All Feeling
I want to name something that many Portlanders are feeling right now, frustration. I feel it too.
We are living through a housing emergency. People are struggling to stay housed, find stability, and access basic support, and it is deeply frustrating to see systems fall short when urgency is required.
Last week, Council learned that the Portland Housing Bureau has been holding $106 million in unspent funds, money that neither Council nor the public had previously been told existed. This was not a small oversight. It reflects a serious failure in transparency and fiscal stewardship, and Portlanders deserve clear answers about how this happened and why required reporting protocols were not followed.
I am frustrated because while these dollars sat idle, people were struggling in real time. Families were displaced. Community organizations were stretched thin. Residents were told resources were limited, when they were not.
Accountability matters, and we will get answers. But accountability alone is not enough. Now that we know these funds exist, we have a responsibility to act quickly and responsibly. These dollars must be put to work expanding shelter capacity, accelerating affordable housing development, and strengthening the organizations already doing lifesaving work in our communities.
Portlanders cannot afford delays. This moment demands honesty, urgency, and solutions and I am committed to pushing for all three.
Celebrating at Spread the Love —
2026 Leadership Award
Pictured left to right: Tiffany Dempsey, Director of Community Relations, and Marsha Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of KairosPDX.
 Pictured: Receiving the 2026 Leadership Award at the Spread the Love Gala hosted by KairosPDX.
 Pictured, left to right: Keith Wilson, Mayor of Portland, and Raymond Lee III, City Administrator.
Pictured, left to right: Chabre Vickers, Director of Equity, Policy, and Communications, Prosper Portland and Kimberly Melton, Vice President of Impact at Meyer Memorial Trust.
 Pictured, left to right: Tricia Tillman and Nafisa Fai, Commissioner for District 1, Washington County,
 Pictured: My heart — my son, Jordan Polk, and my granddaughters, Maylah Polk and Ada Polk. Moments like these are a reminder of why community, care, and the future matter so deeply.
I’m deeply honored to share that I received the 2026 Leadership Award at the Spread the Love Gala hosted by KairosPDX, a vibrant community celebration held at Avenue Portland this February.
Spread the Love is more than a fundraiser, it’s an evening that uplifts purpose, joy, and collective impact. Leaders, supporters, and community partners come together to celebrate growth, creativity, and equity in action.
For me, this recognition reflects shared commitment: dedication to leadership that centers community, accountability, and service, especially in moments when bold action is needed most. I’m grateful to KairosPDX and to everyone working alongside us to cultivate opportunity, possibility, and justice here in Portland.
Community Highlight: PDX Winter Lights in Parkrose
Pictured: Bubbles and live music setting the tone for an evening of celebration, connection, and community.
Pictured: Mechan 42, an illuminated robot sculpture lighting up the parking lot at Parkrose Hardware as part of the PDX Winter Lights Festival.
Last Friday, community members gathered in Parkrose for a FREE launch party unveiling Mechan 42, a whimsical art and light installation now glowing in the Parkrose Hardware parking lot. The giant illuminated robot will remain on display as a local attraction through March.
Hosted by Historic Parkrose, the event featured live music, hot cocoa, and neighborhood connection as part of the citywide PDX Winter Lights Festival, a reminder of the joy, creativity, and warmth that community spaces can spark, even in the winter months.
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