Omari Hutch, a junior at the Waynflete School, is currently studying public policy in Washington, D.C.

Portland is a beautiful city, one that I have called home for the entirety of my life. Growing up, my parents worked at Fore Street and Whole Foods, making a living off the restaurant industry; Portland’s beating heart. 

On Munjoy Hill, my neighbors consisted of health care workers, nonprofit employees and teachers. Now, whether we define it as gentrification or revitalization, something has definitively changed about the communities of Portland.

Our beloved and integral service workers are quickly being replaced by a new class of affluent white-collar workers. Whether we view the demographic shift as an issue or not is largely irrelevant, but what is exceedingly relevant is the direction in which we decide the policy of our city.

Fact: High-income service workers, often working digitally or for satellite firms, are moving into Portland, and purchasing property. An increased demand for housing drives up prices, and encourages the development of luxury condominiums as opposed to more affordable, mixed-use apartments.

Premise: Low- to middle-income service workers in Portland are being driven out by exorbitant housing prices, leading to a “consumer economy” (an economy that is reliant on industries like tourism and consumption rather than one that is self-sustaining and regenerative) that ultimately spells disaster for economic diversity in Portland, despite positive economic indicators on paper.

Contradiction: The arrival of high-income, educated workers to Portland’s neighborhoods spurs investment, raises property values and enhances public safety. Maine’s population is aging, and a young, educated workforce is a welcome and necessary change.

Ultimately, we recognize that vitality through economic expansion will only work for Portland if equal importance is placed on the protection of economic diversity within city limits. 

To achieve this, it’s of absolute necessity that the City Council take drastic steps toward upzoning Portland. Striving toward a Portland that is accessible to the middle and lower classes, it’s paramount that we adopt and endorse “Yes in my backyard” housing policy.

It begins with Franklin Arterial. By upzoning the peninsula, allowing for denser development in existing vacant space and subsidizing low- to middle-income accessible units, we strike the issue of supply entirely. Low-income housing tax credits, already being implemented in some parts of the city, should be reinforced and expanded with the goal of making affordable housing competitive and marketable. Thankfully, a reimagined Franklin isn’t hard to picture. We had it 50 years ago! 

The continued reform of Portland’s housing policy will work well to remedy the present crisis of investment into Portland’s housing market being almost exclusively centered around the luxury market. This confronts the frankly dystopian projects currently in process, making room for more affordable apartments. However, relentless building without regulation is not the answer. Portland must also ensure that the community is prioritized when building outward. 

Once the government allows for the creation of new units, the community must step in to do our part as well. We should look to community land trust models, such as those employed in similar cities like Burlington, North Carolina. Community land trusts create permanently affordable housing by deprioritizing profit. By ensuring the existence of not-for-profit housing, we ensure that at a minimum, a small amount of Portland’s housing is reserved for the economically underprivileged. 

Ultimately, Portland needs its middle- and low-income workers. We need the diversity that gives us the beauty of both funky bars and weird first Fridays, alongside wealth and investment into public works. 

This won’t occur if Portland’s current housing policy continues. It’s time that our municipal government take a stand for Portland’s vulnerable service worker industry. It’s time that we reckon with our future as an increasingly relevant Northeastern city. 

It’s time that we shed the weight of antiquated housing policy. Let’s fight for a livable, affordable and beautiful Portland.