District 1 Update: Protecting Families, Investing in Community, and Showing Up Together

City of Portland, Oregon sent this bulletin at 07/28/2026 10:31 AM PDT

Hello,

This past week was a reminder that strong communities are built by showing up, listening to one another and investing in the people and programs that help our neighborhoods thrive.

Thank you for staying engaged and making your voice heard. Together, we're building a safer, healthier, and more connected District 1.

As always, my office is here to serve you.

– Councilor Loretta Smith
Portland City Council – District 1

📍 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

Public Works Committee
📅 Date: Tuesday, July 28
🕘 Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

City Council Meeting
📅 Date: Wednesday, July 29
🕘 Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

City Council Work Session
2026 Interstate 5 Closure
📅 Date: Wednesday, July 29
🕘 Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

City Council Work Session
Moda Center Term Sheet
📅 Date: Thursday, July 30
🕘 Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

City Council Meeting
📅 Date: Thursday, July 30
🕘 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.

From the Desk of Councilor Smith:
Protecting the Services Our Communities Count On

This week, I was proud to help pass the Risk Reduction Rescue Plan with a 10–2 vote alongside Council Vice President Olivia Clark and Councilors Steve Novick and Elana Pirtle-Guiney.

This plan restores critical public safety services and more than 20 essential City positions that Portlanders rely on every day. It preserves peak-hour Public Safety Support Specialists (PS3s), keeps police training on schedule, protects Portland Fire & Rescue emergency response units, and ensures other essential frontline services continue serving our community.

As I shared during Council, this vote is about the people who show up every day to keep Portland safe, responsive, and moving forward. I'm proud we came together to make these investments and protect the services our residents count on.

Read Press Release Here

Keeping Families Housed in District 1

Portland City Councilor Loretta Smith (District 1) announced a bold move to combat housing instability by sponsoring a homeless prevention initiative of $25,000 from her unspent office budget to partner with Path Home. This emergency funding is specifically earmarked to provide immediate rent assistance to eight families in East Portland who are currently facing imminent eviction.

Pictured (left to right): Elijah Crawford, Chief of Staff; Brandi Tuck, Executive Director of Path Home; and Heather Zissler, Program Director, during a tour of Path Home's Family Village Shelter.

Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Care in District 1

I was honored to speak at the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of REAP's new Behavioral Health Center. Expanding access to culturally specific counseling and behavioral health services is a vital investment in the well-being of District 1. By providing specialized, community-centered care, REAP is helping ensure that our youth and families have the support they need to heal, thrive, and build brighter futures.

Pictured: Joining community partners for the ribbon-cutting of REAP's new Behavioral Health Center.

Pictured: Hearing from Historic Parkrose and City staff as they shared information and answered questions about the proposed Enhanced Services District (ESD).

🌟 District 1 Spotlight!

We're shining a spotlight on Aaron Manning and Samnieng Manning, two dedicated Lents neighbors whose commitment to East Portland never goes unnoticed. Whether they're volunteering, supporting local events, advocating for their community, or simply showing up for their neighbors, Aaron and Samnieng embody what it means to build a stronger, more connected District 1.

Thank you both for your continued leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to making East Portland a place where everyone belongs. Your dedication inspires us all.

Pictured left to right: Samnieng Manning and Aaron Manning, dedicated Lents community leaders and advocates for East Portland.

📣 Stay Connected

I encourage you to stay engaged:

Coffee with a Cop - Every 3rd Friday
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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