LET’S TALK ABOUT: HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS!

Housing stability is a regional crisis and Milwaukie is not immune. This impacts our availability and affordability of housing stock and has created an urgency for many residents who have become priced out of their communities.

For those who live outdoors, this crisis is extremely acute. Not only is housing a basic human right, but so are additional supportive services, access to health and wellness, and behavioral health resources.

Cities and counties are struggling with response and the intensity of the need while residents housed and unhoused alike are feeling the pain of housing availability and affordability. The passage of Metro-wide affordable housing and supportive services measures have allowed those cities and counties to focus intensive wrap around services, housing navigation, and transitional supports.

Still, the crisis is monumental and we need coordinated strategies and greater investment for Milwaukie residents. City Council has approved the construction of hundreds of housing units - from market rate to deeply affordable - which will increase density, filtration, and strain on infrastructure. Planning for this population growth cannot be siloed, we have to think about multi-sector approaches to housing stability.

Some Ideas I’m Excited About:

Housing:

  • Convene discussion with new residents to map needs with education systems or other support services.

  • Increase education about available weatherization and energy efficiency programs for low-income households.

  • Examine underutilized properties with potential for community focused, affordable and workforce housing.

Houseless Services:

  • Integration of houseless service coordination staff in City departments (already included in the budget!)

  • Establish a houseless services team across City departments to address gaps in system/service delivery.

Coordination of Policy/Strategies:

  • Advocate with Oregon DHS to support a localized case management team that focuses on family reunification and physical/behavioral health emergency needs.

  • Invest in a legal services program to remove low level fees and fines that prevent residents from housing stability, employment, and family reunification. Partnership with Oregon Judiciary, ClackCo District Attorney.

Investments for Stability:

  • Recruit community programs that focus on supportive workforce development and entrepreneurial income.

  • Examine potential for co-operative commercial ownership to increase real estate equity and generational wealth.

  • Include recycling/reuse storefronts as an economic development strategy connected to Milwaukie’s deep culture of artisan creativity.