joseph whitcomb (running for Commissioner position 3)

Do you support policies that have been passed to ensure every neighborhood in the City of Portland welcomes more neighbors, by allowing middle housing (smaller, denser, lower-cost housing options like smallplexes, cottage clusters, and small-to-moderate-sized apartment complexes), via both the nonprofit and private markets? (e.g., Residential Infill Project and Design Overlay Zone Amendments)?

I have not seen these policies. I would want to review before making any remarks for or against.

My thought is, I would be willing to promote common sense legislature and projects that protects both the property owner, their investment and the tenet who is responsible. Neighborhoods also, need to be assessed individually to ensure adequate space and/or not to have a project negatively impact the community and environment due to the lack of space. I want to be wise on how we change neighborhoods while understanding that affordable housing is needed. I can see some areas that may be more suitable for change and expansion.

Should close-in, low-density neighborhoods be rezoned to allow mixed-income apartment buildings, in order to increase access to amenity-rich neighborhoods, reduce our auto dependence, and relieve displacement pressure on neighborhoods currently home to higher proportions of communities of color and working class Portlanders?

I would want to be able to see the proposal, get a complete understanding before I could make any remarks for or against this type of adjustment to a neighborhood. I would also like the surrounding neighborhoods to be involved in this type of developmental change.

Such an undertaking must include community involvement, especially when increasing homes, reduced parking, and potentially making the new neighborhood an at-risk issue.

What should Portland do to encourage the development of middle housing (smaller, denser, lower-cost housing options like smallplexes, cottage clusters, and small-to-moderate sized apartment complexes), via both the nonprofit and private markets?

(checklist selections) None

I would really like government to stay out of the housing market unless it deals with common sense legislature guiding these types of projects.

I would want a comprehensive study on the affects this type of development would have to a neighborhood. We, government, do not want to negatively impact a neighborhood. It should always be our desire to improve neighborhoods environmentally, economically, and visually. If this type of project could guarantee these things, I would be able to support projects like above.

Should landowners be able to create historic districts that block lower-cost and below-market homes from high-opportunity neighborhoods without the permission of city council?

No, as I would want them to petition for this permission, utilizing signatures, maps/zones/districts and historical value before approving such a rule.

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?)

Less money. Again, I believe government should not be involved in the private sector of housing, unless they are dealing with common sense legislature as a form of guidance.

The City of Portland has a deficit of 19,804 homes affordable to people earning less than 80% Median Family Income (MFI). According to ECONorthwest: “the market has produced little rental or homeownership housing affordable to those below 80% of MFI, and almost no housing below 50% of MFI over the past 20 years. This supports the need for public subsidy to meet the needs of lower-income households.” How would you eliminate the deficit of homes affordable to people earning less than 80 percent of MFI and over what period of time?

I worked two or more jobs to 'earn' the things I have. I believe government should teach anyone who desires more to do the same for the things they need. We support our community be providing the tools for improvement over enabling someone to always relay on government for support. This is done through education and job training.

Should affordable housing be equitably distributed across all communities in the City of Portland? In other words, should the City ensure the addition of affordable housing to neighborhoods with a lower than average share of subsidized affordable housing?

No. Like I mentioned above, government, should not want to negatively impact a neighborhood. It should always be the desire to improve neighborhoods environmentally, economically, and visually. A comprehensive study on the affects this type of development is a must for impact reasons in any neighborhood. I am sure some areas will see a positive impact while others would not. Government should always work to protect the investments of our voters/citizens.

What actions would you support to address the homelessness crisis in the City of Portland?

(checklist selections) Invest in behavioral health and other supportive services; Invest in capacity of outreach workers to connect with more people experiencing homelessness.

Other: Whatever city leadership does, it should NOT be a financial burden to the taxpayers of Oregon during already trying times (i.e. inflation, cost of living, increased taxes). I would support private programs that help the homeless through private donations and government assistance.

Again, I would support private programs that help the homeless through private donations and government assistance. As we want to help the less fortunate, we do NOT want to cause someone else to suffer. Our main goal is NOT to put more people on the streets and the suggestion above, I feel will do just that. I live in a neighborhood that has utilized areas where there was plenty of room to bring in some shed size tiny homes. I could support programs where unused land were utilized for what was just mentioned.

What policies would you support to advance racial equity in housing access and promote housing stability for all residents and especially Black, Indigenous, and people of color who face disproportionate barriers to housing access?

(checklist selections) None.

Other: I would promote programs and legislature that would help an individual and/or families to learn how to be a responsible property owner.

Government should not 'enable' citizens to be reliant on government. They should teach citizens how to be self-sufficient, give them the tools to improve on their circumstances; especially, if a person wants to continue receiving monetary assistance. Give them a better education, encourage them to work as the job market needs employees. Very supportable programs. Give a man a meal, he eats for a moment. Teach him how to plant a garden and fish, he now has plenty and honor. This is what should be done.

What currently proposed tenant protection policies do you support that would protect tenants from unjust eviction or landlord harassment?

(checklist selections) None.

Other: Legislation that also protects the property owner.

Evictions should be allowed when property is damaged where the home is no longer livable or damage equals 3 months of rent, rent is not paid for minimum 3 of months, tenants are a hazard to the neighborhood, or the owner is selling the property. There is NO other reason for evictions.

Optional question: Whose voices should be centered in developing housing and land use policy across the greater Metro area?

(checklist selections) Other: Responsible citizens.

I used responsible citizens as they are the ones who have worked hardest to get into the position where they are currently. They have understanding, wisdom from the experience of daily living. They use common sense logic instead of emotions to make current and future decisions.

Optional question: What else should Portland's anti-racist, pro-housing, pro-tenant community know about you & your candidacy?

I grew up on welfare or assisted living. My dad spent the first 15 years of my life in and out of jail/prison. My mother struggled to feed her children and to house her family. During the first 10 years of my life, I remember moving 10 times because she could not pay the rent. So, I truly have full understanding of the struggles people face in the day-to-day living. I chose to work a full-time job with at least one parttime job to ensure my family did not have a similar living experience. A choice was made.

Whitcomb received an F overall from our scoring committee. See all scores for this primary election and read about our process here.