The head of Portland’s housing department has resigned after abruptly being placed on leave by Mayor Keith Wilson.
“Though I am sorry to leave City service, I am grateful to have moved to Portland,” wrote Helmi Hisserich in the resignation letter she sent to Wilson on Thursday morning. “This is an extraordinary community of exceptionally intelligent, hardworking, creative and deeply caring people. Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the city.”
Hisserich was hired in early 2024 to lead the Portland Housing Bureau.
Last month, City Administrator Michael Jordan announced that Hisserich was on paid administrative leave, writing that the decision “was informed by the gravity of this moment, with competing housing, homelessness, and budgetary crises.” Wilson oversees Jordan’s office…