Portland City Council Finance & Governance Committee (Whole) 07/15/26

The Portland City Council Finance & Governance Committee met on July 15, 2026, to discuss several agenda items including committee updates, appointments to the Portland Utility Board (PUB), and issues related to Home Forward, the local housing authority. The committee approved the appointment of three new voting members to the PUB, emphasizing their roles in oversight of public utilities, budget advisory functions, and community engagement. A significant portion of the meeting focused on Home Forward's challenges, including a $30 million operating deficit, high vacancy rates in affordable housing units, safety concerns, and organizational restructuring efforts. Council members and Home Forward leadership discussed the need for coordinated policy, sustainable funding, and improved property management to address systemic and specific issues within the affordable housing system. The meeting included public testimony and highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and community input in future appointments and oversight of Home Forward.