PORTLAND, Ore. – Three Portland city councilors are headed overseas this week on a taxpayer-funded trip to Vienna, Austria, where they’ll study one of the most renowned social housing systems in the world. While the trip has sparked criticism from some residents, city leaders argue it’s an investment in finding solutions to Portland’s housing crisis.
Who’s Going and Why
Councilors Candace Avalos, Jamie Dunphy, and Mitch Green, along with their chiefs of staff and three staffers from the Portland Housing Bureau, are among the roughly 20 people making the journey. Other non-city employees are also joining the delegation.
The purpose: to examine Vienna’s social housing model, where 60% of the population lives in publicly owned or nonprofit-run housing. Unlike in Portland, rents there are tied to affordability, not market demand.
Also Read
“They are known worldwide for their social housing,” Avalos said Tuesday. “This is an opportunity for us to see it in person, talk to the leaders, and hear from residents about how it works. Reading about it on paper isn’t the same as experiencing it firsthand.”
The Cost Question
So far, Avalos and her office have not disclosed the full price tag of the trip. Asked about the cost, she said she did not know the figure, and her spokesperson declined to provide details.
Still, Avalos defended the expense as a valid use of her council budget.
“At the end of the day, we have budgets, and we have discretion over them,” she said. “I use my budget as a way to enhance my work. I see this as doing exactly that. I’m not going on vacation—I’m going on a study trip. This is about expanding what we know and bringing good practices home to Portland.”
Why Vienna?
Critics have asked why Portland leaders must travel so far abroad to learn about housing strategies. Avalos says it’s about broadening perspectives.
“Sometimes we just get stuck in our ways because we don’t open our minds to other opportunities,” she said. “Vienna offers a working model that has proven results.”
In fact, Portland has precedent for looking to Austria. The current director of the Portland Housing Bureau spent two years in Vienna studying housing policy before taking her role in the city.
Tied to Portland’s Housing Agenda
The trip follows a resolution introduced in March by Avalos, Green, and Dunphy to explore how Portland could adapt social housing. That resolution passed unanimously in April, and it directed the city administrator to produce a report on the concept by May of next year.
Currently, Portland relies heavily on private developers to build housing. Rising construction costs mean rents often climb with the market, making affordability elusive. Avalos argues that social housing could provide a stabilizing force.
“The lack of affordability is the number one issue we talk about,” she said. “We’re seeing it play out in our unsheltered population. It feels urgent to find solutions.”
What They’ll Do in Vienna
The week-long trip will resemble a crash course in housing policy.
“It’s like class,” Avalos explained. “We’ll be learning all day—hearing from presenters, touring sites, and meeting with leaders to discuss concepts directly.”
When the councilors return, they plan to attend a local housing conference to share their findings and prepare a formal report for the city.
Balancing Criticism and Justification
Avalos acknowledged that the optics of a taxpayer-funded overseas trip can be challenging.
“I understand how this might feel or look to people,” she said. “But I stand by my justification. This is an opportunity to learn from one of the best models in the world, and sometimes that costs money.”
As Portland continues grappling with housing shortages and rising rents, the lessons from Vienna could shape how the city approaches affordability in the years to come.
