The Financial Suite

Money for nothing: Portland Housing Commission

From findings in a study he has not read, Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish announced that 66% of our minority population  “face discrimination when they look for a place to rent in Portland.”  If that were in any way verifiable, it would be unconscionable.  Commissioner Fish, however, chose not to verify this conclusion by asking to see the actual study, because do so would “jeopardize its (the Fair Housing Council of Oregon’s) ability to do future audits by revealing its methods.”  

At the risk of boring you on this beautiful late summer Sunday morning, the methods used to come to a conclusion in a study are of critical importance.  If Fish’s conclusion were given in a basic junior college level statistics course, it would merit a failing grade.  Announcing the study’s findings to the public makes as much sense as repeating gossip, because Commissioner Fish can have no idea whether the statement is true without reading the study for himself.

Yet, announcing the conclusion from this study is useful to justify the $88.5 million  the Portland Housing Bureau spends annually.  Who heads the PHB?  Nick Fish.

What reasonable Portlander would oppose fair housing?  Hopefully, none.  But, upon closer look, we find that the PHB has, since its inception on July 1, 2010, done nothing.  In the latest city budget, the PHB “continues efforts to synthesize programs, consolidate policy and investment approaches, and chart a new and forward-looking path.”  One cannot help but see that the PHB has done absolutely nothing to help its residents obtain fair housing.

Yet, one week ago, Commissioner Fish announced its Fair Housing Plan, which begins by repeating the findings from the study he has not read.  This plan “sets forth specific steps the City o(sic) Portland will take over the next five years to end discrimination in rental housing.”

Its justification is unverified conclusions.  The PHB has spent $88.5 million per year, and has done nothing since July 1, 2010, except unveil a five year plan.

After a year and two months and more than $88.5 million, we have a five year plan?  Portland taxpayers could reasonably expect more.

Tags: Commission