Portland's latest push to fast track low-income housing has turned one East Portland neighborhood into a political hot zone. The city wants to rezone 19 properties as part of its Affordable Housing Opportunities Project, and Centennial residents say they are already feeling the impact after a shelter opened quietly near SE 148th and Taggart. Neighbors argue the new site has intensified visible homelessness and crime on nearby blocks, and City Council is scheduled to consider the rezoning package at a time-certain hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Neighbors Say They Were Blindsided
Longtime residents told reporters they felt shut out of planning conversations and were stunned to learn the shelter began taking people in this week. Some neighbors describe an increase in open encampments and drug activity near the block, and they point to those conditions as reasons for resisting more housing on that site. As reported by KGW, the city says the site at the Eastside Imago Dei community can hold 96 people nightly, and a city spokesperson said 29 people have been served since the shelter opened this week.
City Says Rezones Will Clear Red Tape
According to the City of Portland's ordinance on Portland.gov, the Affordable Housing Opportunities Project would amend the Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map for about 19 parcels owned by nonprofit housing providers and public agencies. Staff say the map changes are designed to remove zoning hurdles and in many cases would shift parcels into CM2-style designations that allow up to four-story buildings near transit, making it easier and faster to build or preserve affordable units. The ordinance also sets a time-certain City Council hearing on Feb. 11 where staff and neighbors can testify.
Why Residents Are Pushing Back
While some longtime neighbors say they support more housing in principle, others told KGW they fear the local improvements will come at the neighborhood's expense without stronger management and communication. The outlet quoted neighborhood leaders including Lori Bond and Laura Long describing incidents they attribute to nearby supportive-housing and shelter operations, and saying they do not feel the city has adequately answered safety concerns. Neighbors say they want clearer site rules, more on-site services and more community engagement before the rezones move forward.
What Happens Next
The AHOP vote comes amid broader city analyses that found Portland must plan for roughly 120,560 new housing units by 2045 and that about one in four renters currently spend more than half their income on housing, according to the city's Housing Needs Analysis. City staff and housing advocates say the AHOP rezones are a targeted, low-cost step to help providers move projects forward without the delay and expense of individual zone changes. If the council adopts the ordinance, the map amendments would be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan and follow state post-acknowledgement review procedures, with additional testimony and implementation steps to follow.
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