City of Portland Newsletter | April 03, 2026
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A new name for a treasured community gathering space in Southwest Portland. A recent naming ceremony celebrated ‘Scht Wiwnu Park with Native drumming, song, and food. ‘Scht Wiwnu (pronounced Ish-chit Way-el-noo) means the path of the huckleberry and comes from Ichishkin Sńwit, a language spoken by tribes from the Columbia River, including the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama tribes. |
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Turning the tide, one call at a time
The numbers are stark. Drug overdoses claimed 640 lives in Multnomah County last year. CHAT’s mission is to bring that number down. CHAT stands for Community Health Assess and Treat. They’re a specialized team in Portland Fire & Rescue who focus on overdose calls. (They also respond to other medical calls that don’t need a fire engine and crew.)
As part of a novel approach to overdose response, CHAT has also pioneered a groundbreaking program with two goals. First, save lives by responding to drug overdoses. Second, help those users who they just revived by offering them support to quit — if that’s what they want to do.
“Those first few hours are crucial,” says paramedic Dale Montgomery. “Our goal is to reach them in that window. Most of them don’t want this addiction, but they feel trapped. We can offer them a way out.”
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Dean’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop
Portland is home to many beloved longstanding local businesses that make up the city’s character-defining history and neighborhood charm. They are also key to the city’s economic strength and resilience. These businesses support tens of thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the city’s economy.
But Portland is losing legacy businesses at a devastating pace in the wake of the COVID pandemic due to rising rents, increased costs, and changing technology. A new report from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability makes a case for establishing a new Legacy Business Preservation Program to support these vital cultural institutions
The Strong Building is here! Also known as the Luther Strong, Jr. & Dr. Jackie Strong Empowerment Village, these 75 units of family-focused affordable housing have opened in the Humboldt neighborhood. Amenities include a courtyard, a playground, high-efficiency heating and cooling, and on-site services from co-developer Self Enhancement, Inc. Some 54 of these affordable homes have 2+ bedrooms for families with children.
The Portland Police Bureau has made numerous arrests in an investigation into a widespread copper theft operation that has impacted critical infrastructure and local businesses throughout the city. These lines are essential to services including emergency communications such as 911. Through a partnership with Lumen Technologies, investigators discovered that suspects were targeting aerial communication lines, underground cabling and even rooftop air conditioning units. .
Bringing someone from unsheltered homelessness into housing isn’t a straightforward process. We want to share some wins from our providers that represent the usually hidden victories within the housing process. From documents to jobs–it all matters on the journey to stability.
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Join us Sunday, April 12th, 1–4 p.m. on SW Main Street at Chapman and Lownsdale Squares for an afternoon of festivities, entertainment, and family-friendly activities! The iconic Thompson Elk statue will return to its historic location on SW Main Street for the first time since 2020. Join the City of Portland and our partners to celebrate Portland’s investment in public art downtown!
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The City of Portland’s Ceasefire Community Response Program (CCRP) is seeking qualified community-based organizations to provide violence intervention and support services as part of Portland’s Gun Violence Reduction Strategy. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2026.
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Open to youth ages 11 through 14. Youth may attend alone or be accompanied by an adult (women-identifying, non-binary person comfortable in a space that centers on the experiences of girls or LGBTQIA2S+). Registration opens April 7 at 6 p.m.
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Are you interested in what your garbage rates pay for? Every year, the City of Portland sets residential garbage, recycling, and compost collection rates based on a thorough evaluation of the cost of providing these services. Learn more on our website or attend an information session on April 13. Find more information and register for the session.
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You’ll receive emails every couple of weeks from Mayor Keith Wilson about what he’s thinking, what he’s working on, and how you can stay informed and involved.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
Featured jobs
This position will apply advanced technical engineering knowledge to the solution of engineering problems in the planning, design, review, construction and maintenance of the City’s infrastructure: water, sewage, stormwater, streets, trees, and traffic management systems. This work involves interagency coordination and review of private development projects, including evaluating developer-submitted civil engineering plans for conformance with City standards, assessing impacts to existing public infrastructure, and ensuring that new development adequately addresses transportation, drainage, and utility requirements before permits are issued.
This position will provide engineering and technical expertise to the solution of municipal engineering problems in the planning, design, review, construction and maintenance of the City’s infrastructure: water, sewage, drainage, streets, trees, and traffic management systems. This work involves interagency coordination and review of private development projects, including evaluating developer-submitted civil engineering plans for conformance with City standards, assessing impacts to existing public infrastructure, and ensuring that new development adequately addresses transportation, drainage, and utility requirements before permits are issued.
New job openings
- Biosolids Program Manager (Analyst III)
- Construction Equipment Operator – CL
- Deputy City Attorney – Environmental Litigation
- Executive Assistant (Administrative Specialist III)
- Portland Fire & Rescue Accounting Technician
- Public Realm and Street Activation (PRSA) Support (CSA II)
- Street Tree Maintenance Supervisor I (Exempt)
How to Apply Session
Curious about working for the City of Portland, but not sure where to start? Come join us for an interactive webinar where we’ll walk you through the basics and share some helpful tips along the way. To learn more and find upcoming sessions check out our website here.
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Give us your feedback
Budget planning for fiscal year 2026–27 has begun, and the City of Portland, Mayor Wilson, City Administrator Lee and district councilors are offering events to engage in the city’s budget and learn about community priorities. April 4, April 8, April 13
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Help us write Portland Street Response’s next chapter as we hire our permanent program manager. The virtual forum takes place April 9, 2026 from 5-7:30 p.m.
Join us for a workshop on April 30 to continue the conversation about the future of Lower Albina and help shape its development vision through the Reconnecting Albina Planning Project (RAPP). This workshop will build off of our Open House event held in December 2025. Learn what residents have said so far about the future of the district and let us know your thoughts on these important opportunities and issues facing Lower Albina.
Please join us for a community conversation on the Portland Police Union Contract Saturday, April 11 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Matt Dishman Community Center. This event is co-hosted by the Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) who serve independently from the Portland Police Bureau.
We encourage you to attend any session that works for your schedule and to share this opportunity with others. We want to hear from as many voices in the community as possible and are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible space for all. Listening sessions are on April 5, April 7, April 13, and April 15.
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Grants and funding
EPAP’s Community Support Fund will sponsor activities that provide basic community needs, support essential services, and foster healthy community connections in East Portland. Approximately $15,000 total funding is available, and applicants can request up to $3,000 for projects that occur between May 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027.
Who’s Eligible: Everyone is welcome to apply; priority will be given to organizations lead by and serving communities historically underserved by the City of Portland.
Application Deadline: April 8, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
The Portland Office of Violence Prevention is now accepting applications for the 2026 Safer Portland Grant to help prevent violence, especially gun violence, in both the near and long term.
Who’s Eligible: Organizations located in the states of Oregon and Washington, providing services within the City of Portland and Multnomah County. Eligible applicants include grassroots contractors and community-based organizations.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
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Serve on a board or committee
The Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) is recruiting three community members to serve as volunteers on the User Board from West Portland, East Portland, and East Multnomah County. The User Board brings together partners and community voices to advise on 9-1-1 operations, policy, and improvements. This is a great opportunity for community members to help shape public safety and emergency communications. We’re especially interested in hearing from people with lived experience or interest in the areas of mental health, social services, equity, and community advocacy.
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Portland City Council
Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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| Join us for Earth in Motion — Earth Day 2026! How we move shapes our planet. Explore cleaner, more proactive ways to move through and live in Portland — from biking and TriMet to clean energy and the food we eat — at the City of Portland’s Earth Day 2026.
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Featured events
Free events
April 18 – 19, Saturday and Sunday
Volunteer events
For Portland Parks & Recreation planting and park clean up volunteer events, check the volunteer event filter.
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| Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible.
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Your Portland moment
For the first time in City of Portland history the Transgender Pride Flag is flying above City Hall.
The City of Portland recognizes and celebrates the lives, contributions and resilience of transgender and nonbinary people in our community and within our workforce. To our transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse employees: you are seen, you are valued and you belong here.
Earlier this month, Portland City Council adopted a resolution affirming that the City will defend the rights of transgender people and all members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. As a public institution, our responsibility is not only to serve our community, but to reflect and uphold its full diversity.
Mayor Keith Wilson proclaimed March 31, 2026 to be Transgender Day of Visibility in the City of Portland and encouraged all residents to recognize and celebrate transgender and gender-diverse people, uplift their voices, and recommit to building a city where all people can live safely, freely, and with pride. |
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711. |
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