Portland’s affordable-housing problem is more than just inventory. There is systemic discrimination built in.
Since the big fire in 2014, city inspectors have become so technically accurate that landlords don’t want their units inspected. Result: Fewer units available.
Landlords such as Avesta advertise one level of rent, but when they find out you have a voucher, they up the rent. Result: Fewer units available.
Landlords load college students into their units and get more per unit. Result: Fewer units available.
There are more examples of systemic problems too numerous to mention in a 300-word limit. This barely scratches the surface.
But this problem is going to take more than just the provision of more housing units. Low-income people are still going to get the short end of the stick unless systemic problems are addressed.
Valerie Kazarian
Portland
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