During a recent Portland government meeting, key stakeholders voiced their perspectives on the city's housing production strategy, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the ongoing housing crisis.

Peggy Moretti, representing the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission, highlighted the importance of retaining existing housing and urged the city to facilitate the conversion of single-family homes into multiple units or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) without imposing prohibitive code upgrades. She stressed that building new housing alone may not suffice to meet affordable housing needs, advocating for the adaptive reuse of existing commercial and industrial structures as a more sustainable and cost-effective approach. Moretti called for the introduction of a state rehabilitation tax credit to incentivize these conversions, which she noted have been successful in other states.

Jonathan Greenwood, a member of Portland Neighbors, proposed legalizing the development of four-story buildings and corner stores in inner neighborhoods, arguing that such changes would foster vibrant, mixed-income communities. He pointed out that historical restrictions on apartment buildings have contributed to housing shortages and rising rents, and lifting these restrictions could alleviate rent pressures and promote accessibility.

Jennifer Schuch, a northeast Portland resident, expressed support for increasing housing density in high-opportunity neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for affordable apartments to be integrated throughout communities rather than confined to busy streets. She urged the city to combine housing strategies with measures to mitigate displacement, particularly for vulnerable tenants.

Michael Anderson from Siteline Institute praised the city's housing production strategy as a strong foundation for future planning. He noted the importance of actionable steps rather than aspirational goals, and he shared insights on potential changes to building codes that could facilitate the development of stacked flats.

The discussions underscored a collective recognition of the pressing housing emergency in Portland, with participants advocating for a multifaceted approach that prioritizes density, adaptive reuse, and community resilience. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue refining the housing strategy to better serve the city's diverse population.