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Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch

Policy is just one piece as housing production overall slows.

Real Estate

Portland has been held up nationally as a model for building more affordable &quot;middle&quot; housing units, but recent data suggests a sharp slowdown in construction — a sign that policy is just one remedy for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="easing the city&#x27;s housing crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/28/portland-housing-unaffordable-middle-income" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/28/portland-housing-unaffordable-middle-income" target="_self">easing the city&#x27;s housing crisis</a>.The big picture: A recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington Post report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/18/portland-housing-infill-ratio-duplexes/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzc0MzI0ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzc1NzA3MTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NzQzMjQ4MDAsImp0aSI6ImYyOGEzOGExLTY1ZDUtNGMwNS1hNTE1LWQwYWQzOTUyNmZmNiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9idXNpbmVzcy8yMDI2LzAzLzE4L3BvcnRsYW5kLWhvdXNpbmctaW5maWxsLXJhdGlvLWR1cGxleGVzLyJ9.t6_eWGOgooL-IHqkzQK0VznNvYD9r3k6-0IFrlowZAc" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/18/portland-housing-infill-ratio-duplexes/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzc0MzI0ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzc1NzA3MTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NzQzMjQ4MDAsImp0aSI6ImYyOGEzOGExLTY1ZDUtNGMwNS1hNTE1LWQwYWQzOTUyNmZmNiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9idXNpbmVzcy8yMDI2LzAzLzE4L3BvcnRsYW5kLWhvdXNpbmctaW5maWxsLXJhdGlvLWR1cGxleGVzLyJ9.t6_eWGOgooL-IHqkzQK0VznNvYD9r3k6-0IFrlowZAc" target="_blank">Washington Post report</a> highlighted Portland&#x27;s success in spurring middle housing units (duplexes, fourplexes, accessory dwelling units and &quot;cottage clusters&quot;) through its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Residential Infill Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/rip" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/rip" target="_blank">Residential Infill Project</a> (RIP), which loosened local zoning laws to incentivize denser development on a single lot.

Thousands expected in Portland No Kings rallies

Organizers expect millions to join nationwide protests, with dozens planned locally.

News

Organizers across the U.S. are planning more than 3,000 local events Saturday for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Kings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" data-vars-content-id="fbe76952-bedd-4b5c-852b-10d3e28673eb" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected in Portland No Kings rallies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" target="_self">No Kings</a> Day of Nonviolent Action, including protests and rallies in and around Portland.The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions and human and civil rights organizations expect Saturday&#x27;s demonstrations to surpass last year&#x27;s No Kings rallies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" data-vars-content-id="fbe76952-bedd-4b5c-852b-10d3e28673eb" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected in Portland No Kings rallies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" target="_self">June</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="October" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" data-vars-content-id="fbe76952-bedd-4b5c-852b-10d3e28673eb" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected in Portland No Kings rallies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" target="_self">October</a>.

What Portland homeowners do for a living

Rising costs reshape who can buy homes in Portland, with educators leading.

Those in the education and social services sectors are most likely to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="424fc0ab-e71f-494b-88fe-e4aedea7cd6a" data-vars-headline="What Portland homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">own homes</a> in Portland, according to a new analysis shared exclusively with Axios.Why it matters: Who can afford to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/27/home-down-payment-time-2025" data-vars-content-id="424fc0ab-e71f-494b-88fe-e4aedea7cd6a" data-vars-headline="What Portland homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/27/home-down-payment-time-2025" target="_self">own a home</a> is shifting — reflecting rising housing costs and changing job geography, per the National Association of Realtors analysis of census data.

Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon

The proposed project would reuse contaminated soil to cut costs and reduce toxic algae.

The Willamette River faces two big problems in Portland: a long-polluted site and a lagoon that spawns <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="toxic algae blooms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/ross-island-toxic-algae-bloom" data-vars-content-id="0357c0a4-775b-4839-90e2-ddf93bab5cfc" data-vars-headline="Proposed project would tackle Willamette pollution and toxic lagoon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/ross-island-toxic-algae-bloom" target="_self">toxic algae blooms</a>. One new proposal aims to fix them both.Why it matters: The plan could cut cleanup costs and meet state requirements to reclaim the lagoon.

The DIY fix this Portland neighborhood hopes will save lives

Residents are trying a low-cost strategy to get drivers to slow down at crosswalks.

<figure><img alt="A person, carrying an orange flag, and a dog cross a busy, sun-filled streets, with cars and pedestrians moving in and out of the frame." height="450" id="bd89ae7f-a840-470c-b1ac-7d7314e47d57" src="https://images.axios.com/4MRs0iIk5eE4MFPDRJvadRx9rLI=/2025/09/17/1758136665595.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Joby and I make sure we&#x27;re seen crossing NE Fremont Street on a recent busy morning. Image: Meira Gebel/Axios</figcaption></figure>A Northeast Portland neighborhood is taking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pedestrian safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/01/traffic-deaths-rise-winter" data-vars-content-id="bf1cc5b0-7299-4e23-bd6f-8b2dc4e9e6df" data-vars-headline="The DIY fix this Portland neighborhood hopes will save lives" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/01/traffic-deaths-rise-winter" target="_self">pedestrian safety</a> into its own hands by installing bright orange flags at crosswalks to address low visibility on a busy throughway.Why it matters: As part of its initial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vision Zero plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/documents/vision-zero-action-plan-2016/download" data-vars-content-id="bf1cc5b0-7299-4e23-bd6f-8b2dc4e9e6df" data-vars-headline="The DIY fix this Portland neighborhood hopes will save lives" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/documents/vision-zero-action-plan-2016/download" target="_blank">Vision Zero plan</a> in 2015, Portland committed to eliminating traffic-related deaths within 10 years, a goal it failed to meet.

How to stay safe swimming in Oregon rivers

Stay safe on Oregon rivers this summer by watching for currents, cold water and swimming with a buddy.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swimming and recreating" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/06/02/best-places-river-swimming" data-vars-content-id="c4fa4dae-014a-4f85-a407-c52a53c8546c" data-vars-headline="How to stay safe swimming in Oregon rivers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/06/02/best-places-river-swimming" target="_self">Swimming and recreating</a> in Oregon&#x27;s rivers is a summer staple. But it can also be deadly, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="claiming lives" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/10/boating-related-drownings-increased-in-oregon-this-summer.html" data-vars-content-id="c4fa4dae-014a-4f85-a407-c52a53c8546c" data-vars-headline="How to stay safe swimming in Oregon rivers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/10/boating-related-drownings-increased-in-oregon-this-summer.html" target="_blank">claiming lives</a> each year through accidental drownings. The big picture: Cold, strong currents, environmental stressors (like sun, wind and glare) and other water users — anglers, boaters, paddleboarders — are all risks that should be examined before diving in.

Portland names police oversight board, testing reform promises

The city's newly appointed oversight board marks a critical moment for the city.

The Portland City Council appointed its long-awaited police oversight board last week, nearly five years after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voters demanded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/28/portland-george-floyd-protests-5-years-later" data-vars-content-id="f7bc0617-e330-4fd5-8346-ba95b2c62463" data-vars-headline="Portland names police oversight board, testing reform promises" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/28/portland-george-floyd-protests-5-years-later" target="_self">voters demanded</a> its creation.Why it matters: The new board marks a critical moment for Portland, testing its resolve to deliver on police reform and rebuild community trust, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has long been strained" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/10/portland-police-body-cameras-pilot-program" data-vars-content-id="f7bc0617-e330-4fd5-8346-ba95b2c62463" data-vars-headline="Portland names police oversight board, testing reform promises" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/10/portland-police-body-cameras-pilot-program" target="_self">has long been strained</a>.

Shootings in Portland drop sharply

Law enforcement officials attribute the drop to a unit dedicated to preventing retaliation.

Gun violence in Portland has plummeted over the last three years, in part due to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fading COVID-era crime wave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/07/homicides-cities-decline-2025" data-vars-content-id="50b75c0e-dc8e-4d75-b413-ddbaeaef4ec2" data-vars-headline="Shootings in Portland drop sharply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/07/homicides-cities-decline-2025" target="_self">fading COVID-era crime wave</a> and the revival of a law enforcement unit aimed at preventing retaliation.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Recent data" data-vars-click-url="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/portlandpolicebureau/viz/PortlandShootingIncidentStatistics/ShootingIncidentStatistics" data-vars-content-id="50b75c0e-dc8e-4d75-b413-ddbaeaef4ec2" data-vars-headline="Shootings in Portland drop sharply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/portlandpolicebureau/viz/PortlandShootingIncidentStatistics/ShootingIncidentStatistics" target="_blank">Recent data</a> from Portland Police Bureau (PPB) shows the city may finally be aligning with the national trend of declining violent crime.

Traffic deaths in Portland rise in dark, winter months

The city's bureau of transportation is urging caution for pedestrians and drivers.

As the days get shorter and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nights get longer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/01/daylight-saving-time-oregon-legislation" data-vars-content-id="4a0e1163-3136-4f59-9256-77e2f874ed54" data-vars-headline="Traffic deaths in Portland rise in dark, winter months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/01/daylight-saving-time-oregon-legislation" target="_self">nights get longer</a>, pedestrian traffic deaths tend to rise in Portland, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bureau of Transportation" data-vars-click-url="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORPORTLAND/bulletins/3bf37c7" data-vars-content-id="4a0e1163-3136-4f59-9256-77e2f874ed54" data-vars-headline="Traffic deaths in Portland rise in dark, winter months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORPORTLAND/bulletins/3bf37c7" target="_blank">Bureau of Transportation</a>.By the numbers: In July, Portland averages roughly 14 traffic crashes involving pedestrians, per PBOT. That number doubles by December — to an average of 28.

Public Safety

The DIY fix this Portland neighborhood hopes will save lives

How to stay safe swimming in Oregon rivers

Portland names police oversight board, testing reform promises

Shootings in Portland drop sharply

Traffic deaths in Portland rise in dark, winter months