As the regional government for Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties, Metro wields huge influence on land use and development planning. What is, or should be, Metro’s role in affordable housing and community development in our region? How can Metro help advance equity in regional decision making? It is vital that affordable housing advocates have an impact on the far-reaching decisions made by Metro Council.

On May 15, 2012 there will be a primary election for Metro Council Positions 3, 5, and 6. Come meet and hear from the candidates for these positions. Join us on April 10 for our next Portland Public Forum as the Candidates for the upcoming Metro Councilors races discuss affordable housing. This forum will be held at the Eliot Chapel at the First Unitarian Church in downtown Portland, from 11:30-1:00pm. Bring your lunch; cookies and coffee provided.

Public Forums are an ongoing program of Oregon Opportunity Network, as part of a grant from the Portland Housing Bureau.  Members, supporters, decision-makers come together to present current topics of interest to the affordable housing community.

Join us on February 14 as Director Traci Manning gives an overview of the Portland Housing Bureau’s plans, goals and vision for the coming year. There will be Q and A.

This public  forum will be held at the First Unitarian Church in downtown Portland. The forums are from 11:30-1:00. Bring your lunch; cookies and coffee provided.

Public Forums are an ongoing program of Oregon Opportunity Network, as part of a grant from the Portland Housing Bureau.  Members, supporters, decision-makers come together to present current topics of interest to the affordable housing community.

Please join Oregon Opportunity Network, JOIN, Street Roots and 211info on Monday, January 23 for a great Candidates’ Public Forum on Housing! Featuring Portland City Commissioner Position 1 candidates Amanda Fritz, Mary Nolan, and Teressa Raiford, and Position 4 candidates Steve Novick and Jeri Sundvall-Williams. Click here for details.

Mark your calendars for our major 2012 events:

• Spring Industry Support Conference – May 16, 2012 in Eugene
• Annual Awards Gala – September 24, 2012 in Portland
• Fall Industry Support Conference – September 25, 2012 in Portland

Watch for more information – and we will see you there!

Please mark your calendars for September 13 at the DoubleTree Lloyd Center Hotel in Portland.

Online registration coming soon- check here for info and updates

Get ready for *the* party of the year for the affordable housing industry – September 12, 2011 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Portland. Click here for more info- we hope you can join us!

Public Forums are an ongoing program of Oregon Opportunity Network.  Members, supporters, decision-makers come together to present current topics of interest to the affordable housing community.

Announcing our 2011-2012 Public Forum Series!

All events will be held at the First Unitarian Church’s Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave. in downtown Portland. All forums are from 11:30-1:00. Bring your lunch; cookies and coffee provided.

• Tuesday, December 6: Mayoral Forum on Housing.
  
• Monday, January 23: Portland  City Commissioner Forum on Housing.
• Tuesday, February 14: Q&A with Portland Housing Bureau Director Traci Manning.
  Remaining forums in the series TBA!

Past Forums:

• April 22, 2011. “What’s Next for Housing:
  The Portland Plan & Portland Housing Bureau’s Strategic Plan”
  Special guests: Commissioner Nick Fish; Margaret Van Vliet, Director, and staff from Portland Housing Bureau; staff from the Housing Bureau and Bureau of Planning & Sustainability.  There was a full house for this informative update from the City. Thanks to everyone for attending on this beautiful spring day!
• Nov. 4, 2010. Historic Bus Tour. This guided bus tour traced the ghosts of lost ethnic communities, forgotten hate crimes, Klan rallies, and communities that were rounded up and exiled based on their race and/or ethnic origins. Presented free of charge to Oregon ON members, courtesy of the Fair Housing Council of Oregon.
• Oct. 11 (Portland) and Oct. 18 (Salem), 2010. Resident Services Opportunity Project presentations. For more information, click here.

1. March 23 and Oct. 11, 2010. Federal Housing Policy Briefing with Adrienne Quinn. Co-sponsored with Enterprise Community Partners.

• April and May, 2010. Candidate Forums, co-sponsored with Elders in Action. Attendees met and questioned candidates for City Council and Metro.

• September 17, 2009. East Portland/ East Multnomah County: Challenges and Opportunities. Our robust panel included Arlene Kimura from the Hazelwood Neighborhood Association, Travis Stovall from the Gresham Chamber of Commerce, Dianne Riley from the Coalition for a Livable Future and Oregon ON Voting Members Nick Sauvie, Steve Messinetti and Jean DeMaster. Dianne Riley reviewed the latest maps of East Portland/East Multnomah County, and explained the challenges of infrastructure and the poverty evident in the amount of children receiving free and reduced lunches in the region. Jean DeMaster clarified the geographical distinction of East Portland and East County in detail. Arlene Kimura and Nick Sauvie explained facets of the East Portland Action Plan. Steve Messinetti and Travis Stovall ended the program on the topics of homeownership and economic development. Approximately 26 people attended the public forum.
• May 21, 2009. Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish and Metro Councilor Robert Liberty.  Mr Liberty presented the data from Metro’s 2009-2030 Housing Needs Analysis.   And we have the Mr Liberty’s HNA PowerPoint presentation (1.7 MB pdf).