Portland, OR—On Wednesday the Portland City Council, on a 11-1 vote, adopted the Unified Housing Strategy (UHS) resolution led by Portland Councilor Candace Avalos (District 1) and Councilor Jamie Dunphy (District 1). Their resolution directs the city administrator to work with city bureaus and create a single, actionable housing strategy that moves Portland from crisis response to long-term solutions, and toward safe, stable, affordable housing for all.
“Portland has been in the middle of a housing crisis for over a decade, and it touches every part of our city,” said Councilor Avalos, Chair of the Homelessness and Housing Committee. “The Unified Housing Strategy sets us on a path to aligning the city’s existing policies and plans so we’re more efficient and effective in addressing the homelessness and housing crisis. It’s been great partnering with Councilor Dunphy, city staff, and many local stakeholders in this effort, and I’m excited for the future where housing is a priority and a promise in our city —not just a patchwork plan.”
“Portlanders are tired of piecemeal solutions and bureaucratic gridlock while the housing crisis grows,” said Councilor Dunphy, Vice Chair of the Homelessness and Housing Committee. “This resolution is about getting our house in order: aligning our housing efforts across the city so we can create lasting solutions. Portlanders deserve a city that works together, sets clear goals, and delivers on the promise of stable, affordable housing for everyone."
Portland is facing a deepening housing and homelessness crisis. Housing costs continue to rise faster than incomes, half of all renters pay more than 30% of their income on rent, housing production is lagging, and homelessness has increased. The UHS will:
- Align all existing strategies—from homelessness to permitting to climate;
- Consolidate work across departments;
- Set clear, measurable goals and action
- Reflect equity, community input, and urgency; and
- Coordinate housing supply with homelessness needs.
A full draft of the UHS is due by December 1, 2025, to the Homelessness & Housing Committee for review, with final approval coming to council in Spring 2026. Full text of the resolution can be found here and a fact sheet can be found here.