Guest Column On the Cost of Vienna

Councilor Avalos's office defended its decision to allocate part of its budget for a study trip to Vienna, emphasizing the educational benefits for improving housing in Portland. All costs were covered from the office's allocated budget, which each councilor manages as they see fit. In her nine months in office, Avalos has focused resources on constituent relations, hiring a community organizer to enhance connections with District 1 residents. The office has also prioritized establishing a dedicated district office to improve accessibility for constituents by reserving budget resources for staffing and programming. The Vienna trip aims to connect Portland leaders with experts to develop strategies for quality housing and affordability.

This initiative reflects Avalos's commitment to tackling housing challenges and fostering collaboration with international experts. The engagement with Viennese leaders is intended to inspire innovative solutions that can be adapted to Portland's unique needs. Ultimately, this trip represents a proactive step toward addressing the pressing issue of housing affordability in the city.