It seems Portland’s city leaders just can’t resist another taxpayer-funded trip abroad. This week, several Portland city councilors and housing staffers are jetting off to Vienna, Austria, supposedly to study the city’s famed “social housing” system.
Vienna is often hailed as a global model for government-run affordable housing, with roughly 60% of residents living in units owned and managed by the city or nonprofit cooperatives. But critics are asking the obvious question: why on earth do Portland politicians need to fly halfway across the world to learn about it on your dime?
Councilors Candace Avalos, Jamie Duny, and Mitch Green are making the trip, along with their chiefs of staff and members of the Portland Housing Bureau. In total, around 20 people are part of this “study tour.” Avalos insists this isn’t a vacation, but rather a chance to “see in person” how Vienna implements its policies…