Homeownership, Public Safety & Community Investment

City of Portland, Oregon sent this bulletin at 06/03/2026 05:30 PM PDT

Hello,

Last week, I was proud to advance a $2.5 million investment supporting homeownership opportunities through SEI and the Williams & Russell project. You'll also find updates on public safety, community partnerships, and the people and organizations helping strengthen Portland.

Thank you for staying engaged and connected to the work happening across District 1.

– Councilor Loretta Smith
Portland City Council – District 1

From Councilor Smith’s Desk:
Expanding Homeownership Opportunities

Last week, my colleugues and I advance a $2.5 million investment supporting homeownership opportunities through SEI and the Williams & Russell project.

Homeownership remains one of the most powerful tools for creating long-term stability, building generational wealth, and helping families remain rooted in their communities.

This investment supports community-driven projects that will create new pathways to homeownership while helping address displacement and expand housing opportunities in Portland.

The ordinance received Council approval on first reading and returned today, which passed 10-2!

Pictured: Community leaders and partners supporting expanded homeownership opportunities through the SEI and Williams & Russell projects.

Pictured: Listening to the testimony for the Homeownership Investment Ordinance before City Council.

Community Portland City Council approves $2.5 million to support Black homeownership projects.

📍 This Week in City Council

Stay informed and engaged with the work happening this week at City Hall.
Join us, whether in person or virtually and be part of the conversations shaping our city.

In Person:

City Council Chambers
1221 SW Fourth Avenue
Second Floor Auditorium
Portland, OR 97204

Watch Online

Community and Public Safety Committee Meeting
📅 Date: Tuesday, June 2
🕘 Time: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm

City Council Meeting
📅 Date: Thursday, June 4
🕘 Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

I encourage you to tune in, stay informed, and follow along as we continue advancing work that impacts our community.

Public Safety Remains a Priority

Last Friday a fire involving multiple floating homes in North Portland served as a powerful reminder of why public safety funding matters.

I continue to urge my colleagues to restore funding for two emergency response units removed from the proposed budget. When emergencies happen, every second counts, and our firefighters and first responders need the resources to protect lives and property.

Public safety is not optional, it is essential.

Pictured: My Chief of Staff Elijah Crawford and I at the Pier West Community fire site, highlighting the critical role firefighters and emergency responders play in keeping Portland safe

Two floating homes destroyed by two-alarm fire in N. Portland, no injuries reported

Smith Team in the Community-Celebrating Oregon’s Film Heritage

I joined community leaders and arts advocates at Lan Su Chinese Garden to celebrate the unveiling of Portland’s first Oregon Film Trail sign. The recognition highlights Lan Su’s appearances in Portlandia and The Librarians while celebrating the intersection of arts, culture, and tourism in Oregon.

Pictured: Joined community leaders, arts advocates, and film industry partners at the unveiling of Portland’s first Oregon Film Trail sign at Lan Su Chinese Garden.

Pictured: At the Oregon Film Trail celebration, recognizing the people and organizations that help make Portland’s arts and cultural community thrive.

Pictured: Celebrating Portland’s arts, culture, and tourism community at the Oregon Film Trail sign unveiling.

Protecting Grocery Access

Thank you to Mayor Wilson for convening a grocery roundtable focused on East Portland. Representatives from Fred Meyer, WinCo, CVS, Costco, Prosper Portland, and others came together to discuss strategies for maintaining grocery access in our communities.

Prosper Portland shared plans for approximately $100,000 in grant funding aimed at helping retain grocery services in East Portland, an important investment in food access, economic vitality, and neighborhood stability.

Pictured: Greeting community and business leaders during the East Portland Grocery Access Roundtable.

🌟 District 1 Spotlight!

This week’s Community Spotlight recognizes Cultivate Initiatives, an organization dedicated to creating pathways to stability through workforce development, housing support, and community-based services.

Through their work, Cultivate helps individuals build brighter futures while strengthening communities across East Portland. Their commitment to dignity, opportunity, and human connection continues to make a lasting impact on our city.

Pictured: With members of the Cultivate Initiatives team, whose work continues to create pathways to stability, opportunity, and community connection across Portland.

📣 Stay Connected

I encourage you to stay engaged:

Join Coffee with a Cop (This Month Only!) - June 26th!
Attend upcoming community events
Continue sharing your thoughts and priorities with my office

We want to hear from you!

📣 Are you part of an organization in District 1 that wants to share resources or community events? Send us an email, and we’ll make sure to include your update in our next newsletter!

Instagram: @Councilorlorettasmith

Bluesky: CouncilorSmith.bsky.social

Website: Councilor Loretta Smith | Portland.gov

Email: Councilor.Smith@portlandoregon.gov

Newsletter Editor: Tali.Reed@portlandoregon.gov

Translation and Interpretation: 311

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.

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