Street roots., March 18, 2011, Image 1

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P H O T O B Y K EN H A W K IN S
N ick Fish leads a team to Seattle toexplore options a n d opportunities fo r the tough times ahead
BY ISRAEL BAYER
- S T A F F W R IT E R
fc
arlier this month, Street Roots joined
Portland Housing Commissioner Nick
8 *
Fish on a. two-day trip with city and county
representatives, the Portland Business Alliance,
the Enterprise Foundation arid non-profit leaders
to look at resource development and best'
practices for housing and homeless services in
Seattle.
As the commissioner in charge of both
' housing and parks, Fish oversees two bureaus
that impact nearly every resident of the city,
particularly its most vulnerable populations as
they interface with business, neighborhood and
*development concerns.
Under Fish, the Portland Housing Bureau has
undergone enormous changes in the past two ,
years, including a merger of the Bureau of
Housing and Community Development and a
segment of the Portland Development
Commission - with the idea of centralizing and
streamlining services for affordable housing
projects and homeless services.
| The agency also created a hew strategic plan
> with citywide stakeholders and has made a
concerted effort to ^hange the way the bureau
communicates with the broader public and has
even hired a public relations manager.
The bureau recently submitted its budget
request for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
While the bureau has consolidated its resources
_ to deliver on a number of big projects in the past '
two years, including the development of veterans
housing in South Waterfront, the building of the
new Resource Access Center, and myriad other
smaller projects - the bureau is projecting a
revenue decline this year of about $16 million,
mostly due to the decline in tax increment
finance funds due to the slowing of the economy.
Also missing in this year’s budget are one-time
stimulus funds provided by the federal
take some risks are there.
I.Bu Concerning the environm entand
¡¡j^usportation.^ the Pacific Northwest has become^a
nationalm odel fo r sustainabiTityand urbjah~
planning. Can we create a culture, where housing
is a p a rt o f this conversation?
assistance dollars for the 10-year plan to end
homelessness. Another concern is that federal
homeless dollars in the form, of Community
Development Block Grants will be cut to
N.F.: Yes. Portland is pushing the envelope by
Portland, which could mean drastic cuts for
implementing long-term, cost effective solutions
some of Portland’s most crucial homeless
to end homelessness and provide homes for
services providers; (See page 4 for a breakdown
those most in need. Sustainability is core to this
of proposed federal cuts and the, SR editorial on
work, because I believe that low-income families
the issue on page 15)
should enjoy access to healthy living
The projected decline in revenue and
environments just like the rest of us.. Bud Clark
uncertainty on the federal front has forced the
Commons will be a DEED Platinum building.
housing bureau to quietly cut its staff. Come this Block 49 in South Waterfront will be on the new
July, the bureau will have laid off 17 employees
streetcar line. The Ramona is a LEED gold
over the past two years.
building and a showcase for energy efficient
Despite the lagging economy and projected
practices.
revenue declines, Fish and his housing team
Portland has a great opportunity to be a
seem Upbeat and aggressive — knowing that they , national showcase for the Department of
can’t rest on the laméis of past success and
Housing and Urban Development’s new vision of
realizing the hard work that lay ahqad.
sustainable communities — blending
Street Roots had the chance to sit down with
transportation choices, affordable housing and
Fish over breakfast while in Seattle to talk about
sustainability. Our residents of modest means
the trip and the environment around homeless'
can really benefit when we make sure they have
and housing services.
access to affordable, quality homes that are close
to. good schools, grocery stores and bus Service. ,
Israel Bayer: Your thought? on Seattle so far?'
Nick Fish: I have been impressed. The
comprehensive view of delivering services, the
“housing first” model, and what appears to be a
fairly strong support for affordable housing in
Seattle .reminds us we’re not alone. It’s inspiring
because it appears that both Portland and
Seattle have a similar philosophy that guides the
work. Of course, there are some differences
here and there, but by and large the dedication
to long-term strategies and the willingness to
I.B.: Tfe Portland Housing Bureau has
undergone some enormous changes, including the
merger between the Portland Development
Commission and the Bureau o f Housing and
Community Development and creating a strategic
plan. Can you talk a little bit about this process
and your vision for the bureau?
See BUILDING page 7
Inside
Wrench Raiders
lend hand to
homeless cyclists
Founder CJ Speelman
talks about the
unconventional
nonprofit’s work
Page 3
Postmortem
fo r the left
Journalist Chris Hed,
talks about his book,
“Death o f the Liberal
Class.”
Page 8
The development
transportation
mismatch
Commentary from the
Bicycte Transportation
Alliance.
Page 14