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In early 2021, Councilor Ryan pushed his colleagues on Portland City Council to identify and commit to acting on shared priorities—this led to Council elevating three priorities to guide the City's budget and policy decisions: compassionately address homelessness, develop a trustworthy new model for community safety, and stimulate economic recovery. Councilor Ryan has continued to address homelessness, build community safety, and strengthen Portland's economy while improving livability and building a municipal customer service culture throughout the City of Roses. Councilor Ryan invests in what makes Portland, Portland.
Councilor Ryan launched the City's Safe Rest Villages initiative—now part of City Shelter Services—which currently serves as the regional model for outdoor shelter with wraparound services in the Pacific Northwest.
In his time serving his hometown, Councilor Ryan has overseen the Portland Housing Bureau, the Bureau of Development Services (now Portland Permitting & Development), the Office of Equity & Human Rights, Portland Parks & Recreation, the Portland Children's Levy, the Office of Community & Civic Life, the Joint Office of Homeless Services, and the City Arts Program.
Homelessness
Councilor Ryan builds and maintains bridges with his colleagues on Portland City Council, Multnomah County, state & federal delegations, and partners across all sectors to implement a regional approach toward homelessness that will get Portlanders the services they deserve. "Housing first" or "shelter first" is a false binary: Councilor Ryan believes we need to build permanent supportive housing, invest in shelters, provide wraparound mental and behavioral health services, innovate with alternative outdoor models, and keep the right-of-way safe for everyone in our City.
Community safety
Councilor Ryan championed formalizing Portland Park Rangers' role in the first responder network, invested in impacted community organizations to combat gun violence, supported the targeted increase of the Portland Police Bureau's Focused Intervention Team and unarmed officer program, voted to expand Portland Street Response, and advocated for comprehensive statewide mental and behavioral healthcare.
Economic recovery
Councilor Ryan knows the more quickly we can get small businesses, affordable housing units, residential improvements and modifications, new investments, and large-scale housing developments flowing, the more quickly we can rebuild our economy. That's why he led the Permit Improvement Task Force that created the Portland Permitting & Development initiative that will finally develop a high-functioning permitting process. He also knows that arts, parks, and families are what make Portland, Portland—Vibrant Communities drive Portland's economy.
Livability
Councilor Ryan oversaw Portland Parks & Recreation, the Children's Levy, established the City's Vibrant Communities Service Area, formed the City's Office of Arts & Culture, established the City's first World AIDS Day Proclamation, voted to expand abortion rights, and proudly serves as Portland's first openly HIV-positive elected official. Councilor Ryan works to expand arts access, empower culturally-specific organizations, and lift queer voices.