Diana Gutman (running for Commissioner position 2)
Should policies be adopted to ensure every neighborhood in Portland welcomes more neighbors, through smaller, denser, lower-cost housing options like smallplexes, cottage clusters, and small-to-moderate-sized apartment complexes, via both the nonprofit and private markets?
Yes, everywhere. By making housing policies inclusive we can ensures that housing is accessible to everyone that calls Portland home. More housing units in our city needs to be designated for specific transitional needs. Whether you're from the homeless community or a Survivor of abuse trying to flee an abusive situation. Safe housing is a human right! I believe that if we were to come up with programs to further help our community partners and landlords we could bridge that gap and identify ways that we can actually protect those in need and serve our community.
Should Portland expand transit-oriented development (allowing apartment complexes by-right within a short walk of all major transit lines) as a way to discourage the use of single-occupancy vehicles and reduce our city’s carbon emissions?
Yes. Transportation impacts the livability of our city and the comfort and security of those using our city streets. Portland’s transportation system has the potential to enhance quality of life for all Portlanders. I believe that expanding Portland's transportation is crucial for our city because we as Portlanders are always on the go. By working with community partners, city developers, and our grass-root communities we as a city have an opportunity to make transportation accessible to everyone and reduce our city’s carbon emissions. In 2018 the city came up with a strategy plan called the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). This is a multi-step process and will take careful planning and coordination. I would like to see this project come to fruition and as your prospective Commissioner will always advocate for safe inclusive transportation.
Should neighborhood associations have less, as much, or more power than other community organizations when it comes to questions of housing, such as whether new apartments or homeless shelters are permitted in a given neighborhood?
The same amount of power. It’s important that our neighborhood associations have equal say when it comes to changes, developments, safety and improvements for our communities. Our city is growing at a rapid rate and as a result we are facing a housing crisis that needs immediate attention. Ever since I started attending the Portland City Council meetings in 2018 I have witnessed different neighborhood associations show up to the Council meetings and advocate for the needs of our neighborhoods. We as a city need strong voices with compassionate hearts that have equal say when it comes to issues that require immediate attention. I am a human rights activist and a victims advocate and I care about the concerns and needs that our communities face. I care about what the neighborhood associations have to say.
Should Portland dedicate less, as much, or more money to regulated affordable housing? (If you answered "more money," what funding mechanism(s) would you pursue to build this additional housing?)
As much money. The amount of money that we have been investing to regulate affordable housing has not fully addressed the housing crisis in our city. Additional funding is just part one to addressing the housing crisis that we are facing right now. I believe that there needs to be better coordination and communication between the city, current landlords and property developers. Building new homes in our city doesn’t solve the problem if the homes are not affordable to families in our communities.
Would you support a citywide moratorium on evictions during the three coldest months of the year, as Seattle recently adopted?
Yes. To evict families in the coldest months of the year is inhumane. Homelessness is an immediate threat to the individual’s well-being. I believe that if we were to come up with programs to further help our community partners it would bridge that gap and create something more sustainable so that our city can thrive and individuals here will have more room to grow.
As Portland implements an anti-displacement plan, which policies from the Anti-Displacement PDX Coalition would you support? What additional anti-displacement policies do you support?
Require advance 90-day written notice to a tenant if the owner plans to sell, demolish, or redevelop their home.
Grant a “right to stay” to existing tenants; require landlords to rehouse tenants they displace in their neighborhoods at a rent comparable to what they had been paying, or by helping the tenants to purchase a unit with down-payment assistance.
Implement a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase policy that gives all current renters, and then the city, the first and second rights of refusal to purchase a property at fair-market value before it goes on the market.
Earmark Construction Excise Tax (CET) revenue from construction in single-dwelling zones as a source of subsidy for affordable units in single-dwelling zones.
Charge a fee for any redevelopment of a property in single-dwelling zones that does not include at least two units, unless prevented by site constraints and use the new revenue from this fee to subsidize regulated affordable units in the single-dwelling zones.
Property tax exemption for any regulated affordable units built on-site, for the duration of the affordability restriction.
I support Cully’s anti-displacement program to prevent the displacement of low-income residents and people of color from the Cully neighborhood. I am also in support of the Residential Infill Project.
I will always support anti-displacement policies and affordable housing. Cully’s anti-displacement program pushes for policies that protect renters and prevent displacement. I believe that the Residential Infill Project can have a positive impact in our community and the City of Portland. As the City works with the community to address this issue, it’s crucial for the City to review the recommendations from the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission and Portland Neighbors Welcome to find a way to implement these recommendations. They are influenced by a broad coalition of groups. This is what community is all about, people coming together from diverse walks of life to find ways to advocate for our community and share their firsthand experience. It is this experience that we as a city must lean on in order to address these pressing issues. Everyone should have access to safe, secure, inclusive shelter. We as a City and community need to help the people who are in need of stability.
What else should Portland pro-housing, pro-tenant community know about you & your candidacy?
I was homeless for two years due to displacement, I had less than 30 days to move out of my home because the property was sold. During my time of being a homeless Veteran, it was very difficult. I was forced to sleep in my car, and when given the opportunity, stayed with those who opened their home up to me; it was not always safe.
In 2018 I proposed HB3117 for the 2019 legislative session. HB3117 helps Survivors of violence and abuse who are trying to maintain their protection order in the state of Oregon. I had this bill declared as an emergency because for the Survivor it will always be an emergency. HB3117 was signed into effect on May 22, 2019. This bill is for Survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and for people with disabilities who are being abused. Over the last year I have been working hard here in the city of Portland; working with community partners and Oregon state legislators on establishing ways to help the residents and constituents of Oregon and to keep them safe!
I have put a lot of thought into the steps that we can take here in the city of Portland. As your prospective Commissioner I will continue to work with community partners and legislators to advocate for inclusive policies and legislation to serve our community and to help Survivors of violence and abuse and people in our vulnerable communities.
Gutman received a C overall from our scoring committee. See all scores and read about our process here.