Portland: Neighbors Welcome

Thank you to PNW volunteers for submitting written and oral testimony, to our policy advocacy partners, to our pro-homes champions in the legislature, and to all PNW members for supporting our grassroots organization.

Thank you to PNW volunteers for submitting written and oral testimony, to our policy advocacy partners, to our pro-homes champions in the legislature, and to all PNW members for supporting our grassroots organization.

Are you a member of PNW? Join us:
portlandneighborswelcome.org/get-involved

SB 1523: Mandates landlords provide tenants alternatives to digital portals for rent payment, rental applications (ie, no more mandated monthly fees on paying rent on an online portal!) Passed Senate 22-7; House 51-6 HB 4123: Updates Oregon’s Residential Landlord Tenant Act to provide greater confidentiality protections for sensitive tenant information Passed Senate 25-3; House 43-6

Earlier this session, the legislature passed SB 1523 and HB 4123, two bills brought forth by tenant advocates; PNW endorsed these measures for tenants rights as well.

Building Homes for Oregonians of all Ages, Wages and Stages of Life SB 1567: Establishes $20 Million Revolving Construction Loan Fund for Mixed Income Housing Passed Senate 22-3; House 48-3 SB 1521: Greater flexibility and funding requirements for Inclusionary Zoning programs in Portland region Passed Senate 21-6; House 32-21

Today, the House passed SB 1567 to establish a $20m Construction Revolving Loan Fund to provide subsidized loans to build mixed-income housing.

The House also just passed SB 1521 to create more flexibility and greater guardrails for Inclusionary Zoning programs.

Two big PNW priority bills! #orleg

Image says "Leglisative Update, SB 1567, SB 1521, SB 1523, HB 4123 Passed! Big Victories for More Homes, Tenants' Rights in Oregon

Big news out of Salem:

Four PNW-endorsed bills to build more homes and support tenants' rights have passed through both chambers of the legislature and are headed to the Governor's office for signature.

Four meaningful bipartisan victories for stable and affordable housing! #orleg

We've got work to do!

we've got work to do!

To Cut Housing Costs, Some States Are Easing Fire Safety Rules

staircase reform heads to the New York Times

www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/b...

Whether you're on a student team, a long time member, or just someone looking to learn more about Portland: Neighbors Welcome and single-stair, we're excited to see you there!

Monthly Happy Hour Thursday!
Time: Thursday, March 5th, 6pm - 8pm
Place: Migration Brewing (outdoor patio) - 3947 N Williams Ave

Join us for this month's happy hour! This month we are focused on all things single-stair as part of the DREAM Single-Stair Design Competition.

The kicker is that the report says dual stair adds 12.5% to the cost of units. For the cost of a $800,000 unit, $100,000 is simply for the extra stair.

Shoutout to @sightline.org's @andersem.bsky.social, who just testified in support of SB 1521 to reform and fully fund inclusionary zoning, to the House Rules committee this afternoon.

Multiple bills endorsed by PNW are continuing to move forward ahead of the end of the legislative session. #orleg

Inner Eastside for All only wants one thing and it's disgusting

Lawmakers want $3 million from state coffers for 82nd Avenue bus lanes Lawmakers say 82nd Ave won't reach it's full transit potential without BAT lanes.

I reported last week that the TriMet decision to build BAT lanes on 82nd Avenue was conditioned on others outside the agency raising funds to pay for it.

This is the first example of that playing out...

bikeportland.org/2026/02/24/l...

This passed the Oregon Senate on Friday, 21-6, with all Democrats and 4 Republicans in favor.

External issues have led to some process hurdles for but thanks to Speaker @repfahey.bsky.social it’s headed to House Rules, then hopefully to the House floor.

Missing in the middle of WA's middle housing: Elevators A bill still in play in the Washington Legislature would make elevators easier and less expensive to install in "middle housing" developments.

"You might think that our rules about elevators would help wheelchair users, but they can inadvertently achieve the opposite: overkill in elevator code kills elevators."

Thank you @ceceliablack.bsky.social for spelling this out so clearly!

www.seattletimes.com/opinion/miss...

Relatedly, Oregon’s Senate Bill 1521 to ensure all IZ programs are funded while granting cities more flexibility passed the Senate Floor last week, and has been assigned to the House Rules Committee. Stay tuned for a chance to help make sure it gets across the finish line before sine die! #orleg

🏘️‼️

We just sent out our monthly newsletter!

Learn about a handful of upcoming events, an update on our single-stair competition, and how you can become a member of Portland: Neighbors Welcome if you aren't one already:

mailchi.mp/b2f183f5ca05...

From Office Conversions to Cops in Drag, How To Revive Downtown Podcast Episode · City Cast Portland · 02/17/2026 · 31m

Shoutout to Councilor Steve Novick for giving a shoutout to our Inner Eastside for All campaign on the latest episode of @citycastportland.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...

Let's build more homes!

Thank you to @sightline.org, Oregon Smart Growth, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, @pnwelcome.bsky.social, @npartnerships.bsky.social, @1000oregon.bsky.social and so many other advocates who helped shape these bills to address Oregon's housing underproduction. 🏘️

Oregon's SB 1521, modernizing inclusionary zoning in the Portland metro area, unanimously passes Senate Housing. 🎉

Based on 10 years of lessons, it gives cities new policy options + a requirement that such programs be fully funded.

Moves to senate floor!

olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/M...

Portland: Neighbors Welcome endorsed House Bill 4136 - submit testimony before Monday’s hearing!

Love to see @counciloravalos.bsky.social continue to hold the gavel for the city’s housing committee. 🏘️

Tonight at 6, PNW will be joined by planners from BPS working on updates to zoning in the central city.

If you believe that an arbitrary; paint-by-color ass patchwork of height limits is dumb, then come participate in the Q&A they'll be giving.

Come join me and other PNW members tomorrow!

If you think arbitrarily capping building heights in our downtown, then here's an opportunity to express that and express your disappointment that BPS is unwilling to do that with this project.

Come with questions (if you want!) and we would love to have you! Our happy hours are open to everyone, and we love to see new people! <3

Flyer with a blue tinted photo of various people sitting at a Portland Brewery, with the following text: February Happy Hour! [Portland: Neighbors Welcome logo] Thursday, February 5th! 6-8PM @ Migration on Williams Hear from city staff about the Central City Code Amendments Project!

Hello wonderful neighbors! Our next happy hour is TOMORROW, February 5th at Migration brewing on Williams from 6-8PM! We are excited to announce that we will be joined by members of Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability who are working on the Central City Code Amendments project!

Image of Alex Pretti in Shift2Bikes calendar listing that says, 2:00 PM Ride For All- a vigil for those murdered by ICE Irving Park, NE 7th Ave and Fremont St Golden Pliers User-uploaded image for Ride For All- a vigil for those murdered by ICE Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 2:00 PM Meet at 2pm, Roll at 2:30pm End location: Elizabeth Caruthers Park Ride length: 3-8 miles We’ll be meeting at Irving Park (near the tennis courts/ picnic zone) at 2pm. Roll out at 2:30pm. Chill pace to Elizabeth Carothers Park via the Esplanade.

We Ride In Unity
Saturday Jan 31 2PM meet, 2:30 roll
Irving Park NE 7th & Fremont
slow roll to Waterfront Esplanade
a Vigil for Those Murdered by ICE

@shift2bikes.bsky.social @pdxoregon50501.bsky.social @indivisible-oregon.bsky.social @pnwelcome.bsky.social
www.shift2bikes.org/calendar/eve...

What's your dream home?

Learn more about our single stair competition we're hosting along with @strongtownspdx.bsky.social

mailchi.mp/60bec59f5076...