Portland’s top housing official was put on paid administrative leave this week.
In a letter to city councilors Thursday, City Administrator Michael Jordan explained in vague terms why the executive branch — which is led by Mayor Keith Wilson — decided to sideline Helmi Hisserich.
“Our decision-making was informed by the gravity of this moment, with competing housing, homelessness, and budgetary crises,” Jordan wrote, adding that he wanted to “ bring on knowledgeable leadership,” which he called critical to the city’s housing efforts…