On June 16, a rainy Wednesday in Salem Oregon, 50 people from across the state joined Neighborhood Partnerships, Oregon Housing and Community Services, JP Morgan Chase, and others in a thoughtful and provocative conversation about minority homeownership. Victor Merced began the day by calling on all of us to look carefully at what we are […]
Advocacy
2011 Housing Alliance Agenda Preview
The Housing Alliance is in the process of setting its 2011 legislative priorities. While the budget picture for both the remainder of this biennium and next biennium is bleak, the continuing recession and high unemployment mean the need for affordable housing and other safety net services remains critical. In 2011, we’re considering the following priorities: […]
Have A Heart Day
On Friday, February 12 constituents gathered in Salem for Oregon Thrives’ “Have a Heart Day” in honor of Oregon’s 151st birthday and Valentine’s Day. Oregon Thrivesis an emerging coalition of advocacy and service organizations in Oregon, and Neighborhood Partnerships is a founding member and participates in the steering committee. NP staff went to Salem to […]
If you only travel to Salem once in 2010, come on February 12th!
On February 12th, people from across Oregon will travel to Salem for three important events to support our hardworking neighbors, families, and their children. We will ask our legislators to “Have a Heart,” with Oregon Thrives; we will join faith leaders for an interfaith prayer vigil for homeless children and families; and we will attend […]
National Housing Trust Fund legislation would bring $15 million to Oregon
Efforts are underway at the national level to fund the National Housing Trust Fund. The House of Representatives recently passed the “Jobs for Main Street Act” (HR 2847) which would provide $1 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund, as well as $65 million for project-based housing voucher programs. However, whether these funds will be […]
Patrick Bresette comes to Portland
Neighborhood Partnerships, along with Oregon Thrives, the Oregon Center for Public Policy and the Oregon Hunger Task Force were fortunate to be able to collaborate and bring Patrick Bresette of the Public Works project of Demos to Portland the week of November 9th. [flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/neighborhoodpartnerships/4115379576/[/flickr] Mr. Bresette presented a lecture, “A Case for Government,” In it, […]
Challenges we must meet
I recently had the pleasure of hearing Professor Myron Orfield speak at Portland State University’s “What’s the Big Idea?” Lecture Series, co-sponsored by Coalition for a Livable Future. Professor Orfield teaches at the University of Minnesota and was a former Minnesota State Legislator. Professor Orfield titled his talk “Creating Successful Communities: Sharing the Benefits and […]
Oregon Receives a “C”, Advocates Call for Changes
Yesterday, Neighborhood Partnerships and Oregon Thrives, in conjunction with the national Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) released its 2009 – 2010 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard. The Scorecard gave Oregon a “C,” and highlighted areas for improvement in Oregon. To help more Oregonians, the state could expand the refundable earned income tax credit, remove asset limits […]
Collaboration: as good as chocolate?
I was struck by this opinion piece in today’s Oregonian by Larry Wallack, now Dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University. I had the pleasure of working with Larry beginning in 2004 as a group of us worked to hone messages that would help us build affordable housing champions. […]
A cadre of champions
As the 2009 Legislative session draws near an end, I’ve been reflecting on our experiences and success. There have been a lot of especially rewarding moments, and a recurring theme. When a small group of advocates formed the Housing Alliance in 2004, we had three main goals. First, we wanted to increase ongoing resources available […]