RESOLUTION NO. 36404

Begin a Schools, Families, and Housing initiative in partnership with local school districts and other community partners to retain and attract families with school-age children to live in Portland’s neighborhoods and attend Portland’s public schools (Resolution)

WHEREAS, neighborhood livability, affordable housing opportunities, and strong schools are three of the main factors people consider when choosing a place to live and raise children; and

WHEREAS, schools are the natural heart of a neighborhood, and a focal point for community development, recreation, and neighborhood planning; and

WHEREAS, Portland Public Schools are losing 300 to 500 students per year, annually reducing the amount of funds received by the district from the State by approximately $1,500,000 to $2,500,000 annually; and

WHEREAS, the other school districts that primarily serve Portland neighborhoods, including Parkrose, Centennial, Reynolds and David Douglas, have seen a dramatic increase in student enrollment over the past 5 years; and

WHEREAS, a 2001 Portland State University study of households who moved in mid-year from the boundaries of the Portland Public School District found that 76% of survey respondents said “yes” when asked, “Was anything about your former housing a factor in your decision to move?”; and

WHEREAS, researchers have established a direct correlation between homelessness and student achievement, and the State of Oregon Department of Education estimates that some 1,620 students of the Portland Public School District are attending school as their families experience homelessness at some point throughout the school year; and

WHEREAS, based on a report from the City Auditor’s office from June 2002, about 41% of all new housing units constructed in Portland over a four-year period were supported in some way by a City housing subsidy, demonstrating that the City plays a significant role in the development of housing across the city’s neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, a study released in 2006 by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University concludes, “Local control over land use, uneven distribution of household income, and funding of services from local property taxes lead to an uneven distribution of public services across jurisdictions because homebuyers and renters sort themselves into communities that provide the level of public services they want and can afford”, identifying the regional dynamics that influence housing and school choices that families make; and

WHEREAS, a concentration of resources to create affordable opportunities for homeownership and rental housing, and geographic targeting of housing programs are proven means of providing stability to individual families, neighborhoods, and school enrollment; and

WHEREAS, an important part of retaining and attracting families to Portland’s public schools is maintaining and strengthening the quality of school facilities and curricula;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Portland City Council considers the health and wellbeing of local schools and the livability of Portland’s neighborhoods to be of primary concern and consideration; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, local business and community organizations, such as the Portland Housing Center, home builders, real estate professionals, lenders, foundations, and other local governments, should be community partners in the planning and implementation of the initiatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, City staff from the Bureau of Housing and Community Development and other bureaus will work with Portland’s school districts, other City bureaus, community partners, and other interested parties to develop a comprehensive approach to retain and attract families with school-aged children within and to Portland’s neighborhoods; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the elements of this initiative may include but are not limited to: homeownership opportunities, affordable rental housing, renter stabilization programs, community land trusts, resident ownership models like co-housing, limited equity co-ops, mutual housing associations, and the promotion of new housing design and development models; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Planning Bureau will assist in this initiative through the development of new family housing prototypes and by assisting in the analysis of demographic trends in housing; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, other city bureaus and agencies will help in the effort to improve the quality of school facilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Portland Development Commission should bring its resources and expertise to this effort to retain and attract families to Portland’s neighborhoods, improve the quality of school facilities and work with BHCD to promote workforce-related curricula in concert with PDC’s economic development polices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Portland Parks and Recreation will participate by linking its planning and development efforts to recreational needs and opportunities in and around targeted school communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Office of Sustainable Development will continue to work with Portland’s public schools to improve resource efficiency, reduce operating costs, and create healthy school facilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, City staff, coordinated by BHCD, will report back by September 1, 2006 to City Council with a report on the number of families housed under this program, and an outline of best practices, new initiatives, and new partnerships and programs for review and consideration.

Adopted by the Council, April 26, 2006

             GARY BLACKMER

Commissioner Erik Sten        Auditor of the City of Portland

Trell Anderson/ Rich Rodgers      By /S/ Colleen Phillips

April 20, 2006                Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 537-2006

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36404