The Missing Homes: Why Portland’s Homelessness Crisis Started Decades Ago

 

Portland’s homelessness crisis is often discussed as a problem of mental illness, addiction, or personal failure, but those explanations focus on symptoms rather than causes. A deeper look suggests that today’s crisis may be the delayed result of housing that was never built decades ago.

For much of Portland’s history, affordable housing was not created through special programs or subsidies. It emerged naturally as homes aged and filtered down to the next generation of residents. This process depended on continuous housing construction across the city.

When construction slowed due to recessions, financing limits, and zoning constraints, the impact was not immediately visible. Over time, however, Portland lost an entire generation of modest, older housing that would normally support lower- and middle-income households.

As competition increased, pressure moved downward through the housing market. Lower-income residents were displaced first, and eventually the system ran out of slack entirely. Homelessness became visible not because people suddenly changed, but because housing scarcity exposed existing vulnerabilities.

Building housing today will not instantly solve Portland’s homelessness crisis, but it plays a critical role in preventing future gaps. Cities that make long-term progress allow more housing to be built, preserve older units, protect renters during transitions, and provide targeted support for those most at risk.

Homelessness in Portland is not a mystery. It is the echo of housing decisions made decades ago, and today’s choices will shape the city’s future for generations.

Video Link:  Why Portland’s Homelessness Crisis Started Decades Ago

How Are Cottage Clusters Are Quietly Reshaping Portland Neighborhoods?

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Portland is beginning to see a shift in how new housing fits into long-established neighborhoods, and one of the clearest examples is the rise of cottage cluster development. Instead of one large house sitting alone on a single property, the Cottage Cluster Code allows several small detached homes to be built around a shared courtyard. These clusters usually include three to sixteen cottages, arranged in a way that supports walkability, small-scale community interaction, and a gentler form of density than traditional multifamily buildings.

This approach came out of both state and local policy changes, including Oregon’s housing reforms and Portland’s Residential Infill Projects. Together, those changes allow middle housing types to be built in many zones that once only allowed single homes. In practice, this means many R2.5, R5, R7, R10, and RM1 lots can now support cottage clusters if the site is large enough to include the required courtyard, spacing, and setbacks.

A cottage cluster emphasizes shared outdoor space at the center of the design. The cottages face in toward a courtyard or common path, creating a small neighborhood within a neighborhood. This format often echoes older Portland bungalow courts and similar historic layouts, but with modern building standards and smaller, more efficient homes.

Although the zoning code does not set a single minimum lot size, the site must be large enough to include the courtyard, circulation paths, and building separation. In practice, this means smaller parcels are rarely suitable, while lots around 5,000 square feet or larger are usually where clusters can work. Larger lots in R5 and above may allow more flexibility.

Early projects are beginning to appear across the city, from East Portland to parts of North and Southwest. The pace is slow but steady, and each example helps illustrate how this format can fit into different kinds of neighborhoods without overwhelming them. For residents who want modest homes, lower maintenance needs, and some shared space without giving up the character of detached housing, cottage clusters may offer a useful middle choice.

As Portland continues to look for ways to expand housing availability and affordability, cottage clusters represent one of the quieter but more promising tools the city has available. Their small scale, shared design, and flexible layout make them an option that can adapt to a range of sites and community needs.

Video Link 

[How Are Cottage Clusters Are Quietly Reshaping Portland Neighborhoods?]

Moda Center (Rose Garden) Seating Chart: Aisle Seats

I am a little claustrophobic so I like to sit on the aisle when at a seated event.  I couldn't find any information online as to which seats at the Portland Oregon Rose Garden arena where aisle seats so I had to go down to the ticket office to ask.  The seating charts I found online where no help. Even the 3d seat viewer on the Rose Garden site only gave a view by row.

The ticket seller at the Rose Garden box office told me the aisle seats (at least in the 100 section) are:
Seat #1
and
Seat #16.

You can't always specify seats when using their online ticket purchasing system, so you have to hope the computer gives you an aisle selection. If not, I guess you have to drive down to the ticket office and purchase it in person.  The people there were very helpful and gave advice as to what would be a good seat for each show I purchased a ticket for.  They also told me if I lost the physical ticket, they could look it up by my credit card number which was a relief since I paid some serious cash for all those tickets.

The Rose Garden ticket office was open during a time when there was no event. Also there was free 15 minute parking up between the buildings right next to the office, so it was not as big a hassle as I had anticipated to buy them in person. Ticketmaster didn't sell the Rose Garden tickets anymore; they had gotten me aisle seats when buying them in person at Freddies in the past.