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Portland is a Sanctuary City
Reports
Displaying 1 - 20 of 71
Fire safety concerns at the Cherry Blossom Townhomes
An Ombudsman investigation found that the Fire Bureau’s poor communication left residents of an East Portland affordable housing community concerned about their safety. We also found that parking practices at the property could impede Fire vehicle access.
Report
Asset Management: Strategic and coordinated approach needed to take on City’s long-standing issues
For years, the City has underinvested in maintaining its aging assets. Now, it is facing a backlog of costly and urgent needs that it lacks the funding to meet. Our audit recommends that the new form of government take a more strategic approach to developing the infrastructure for infrastructure.
Report
2024 Ombudsman Annual Report
We're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2024.
Report
City should re-start paused Portland International Raceway-North Portland Trust Fund grant program
A recent hotline investigation found inefficiency and waste in the City’s failure to award grants from Portland International Raceway–North Portland Trust Fund. The City has not awarded grants from the Fund since 2020.
Report
Ombudsman’s review finds City has partly implemented recommendations to reduce harm of complaint-driven property maintenance enforcement system
The City has taken steps to address the inequitable impacts of property maintenance enforcement, but the complaint-based system continues to harm vulnerable homeowners.
Report
Civic Life’s response to grantee non-compliance and poor communication within the City resulted in waste and inefficiency
The Auditor’s Office found evidence of waste and inefficiency in Civic Life’s handling of a grant non-compliance issue and the City’s grant management. Civic Life spent more money than intended and disregarded City policy and the City did not foster communication between bureaus.
Report
2023 Audit Impact Report: Leadership on coordination, prioritization, and decision-making most needed to implement recommendations by service area
Overall, the City implemented under half of our audit recommendations as of 2023, below the average of other comparable cities. Implementation across service areas ranged from zero to 88 percent. Service areas need leadership on coordination, prioritization, and decision-making to make progress.
Report
Vision Zero: Portland Bureau of Transportation needs to systematically evaluate whether its safety projects reduce traffic deaths and serious injury crashes
Our audit of Vision Zero found rising fatal crashes despite the plan’s focus on traffic safety. The audit calls on the Transportation Bureau to evaluate completed projects to ensure they reduce deaths and injuries and result in equitable outcomes. Data-driven strategies are needed for safer streets.
Report
2023 Audit Impact Report: Opportunities to coordinate services and improve equity of City government as it transitions
The City implemented under half of our audit recommendations as of 2023, below the average of other comparable cities. Portlanders need bold leadership, with a focus on coordination, for the City to make progress on recommendations not yet implemented and to continue to improve equity of services.
Report
Technology Purchasing: Citywide strategy and guidance needed to address problems
We reviewed seven technology purchases and found Technology Services was reactive in coordinating technology purchases. This resulted in inefficiencies and delays. Centralized accountability and guidance are needed for bureaus if the City is to meet strategic goals for purchasing and equity.
Report
Ombudsman investigation finds predatory towing harmed residents of low-income housing complexes
An Ombudsman investigation found that predatory towing at a cluster of low-income apartment complexes in the Cully neighborhood caused significant financial and emotional injuries to vulnerable, mostly Latino community members.
Report
Ombudsman recommends streamlined enforcement of tour bus safety regulations
An Ombudsman review found that numerous tour companies do not comply with City regulations designed to ensure public safety. We recommended the Bureau of Transportation streamline enforcement to bring unpermitted companies into compliance.
Report
2023 Ombudsman Annual Report
We're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2023.
Updated Report
Ombudsman finds Water Bureau overcharged for past returned payment fees, recommends removing such fees going forward
After a complaint, the Ombudsman investigated the Water Bureau’s practice of charging fees for returned payments. The Ombudsman recommended the Bureau notify customers impacted by a past overcharge that they are entitled to a refund, and that the Bureau remove returned payment fees going forward.
Report
City has committed to implementing recommendations from 2023 Ombudsman report on U visas
We have reviewed the status of the four recommendations from our report and found that the Police Bureau has committed to implementing them. One recommendation has been partly implemented and three are in progress.
Report
City has not implemented most of Ombudsman’s recommendations on emergency board-ups
In July 2023, the Ombudsman's Office released a report that highlighted evidence of misconduct by the City’s emergency board-up contractor and pointed to gaps in the City’s oversight of the contract. On May 20, 2024, the Ombudsman sent a follow-up letter to Community Safety Division Director Myers.
Report
Audit Report: Inclusionary Housing: Housing Bureau should improve Program goals, support for property owners, and monitoring to ensure Program helps address housing crisis
The Inclusionary Housing Program requires developers to include affordable homes in some new buildings. We examined the Program and if it helped property owners follow the rules. The Housing Bureau should improve the goals, property owner support, and monitoring so the Program works as intended.
Updated Report
Audit Report: Joint Office of Homeless Services: Sustained focus on shelter system needed to address unmet needs
Our audit found that the adult and family shelters funded by the Joint Office of Homeless Services were generally full and had long waitlists, could be difficult to access, and only sometimes helped participants move to permanent housing.
Report
Fraud Hotline Report: Civic Life’s mismanagement of the Kenton Firehouse was wasteful and inefficient
The Auditor's Office found evidence of waste and inefficiency due to the lack of a formal agreement and Civic Life bypassing City financial policies in the management of the Kenton Firehouse. Auditors also found that the lack of documented rental transactions risked the appearance of fraud.
Report
Audit Report: Portland Fire & Rescue's Community Health Division programs need guidance and leadership to provide Portlanders with the services they need and reduce demands on firefighters
Our audit identified gaps in the Fire Bureau’s management of the Community Health Division, worsened by an inconsistent commitment to its programs. We make recommendations to articulate goals, plans, and monitor its programs to best serve Portlanders and offset demands on traditional fire crews.
Updated Report
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