Jaclyn for Portland

I am committed to playing a key role in enhancing District 3, and our city at large, by championing inclusive input on the modernization of our city's systems and infrastructure. By updating and streamlining our government systems and regulations, and developing publicly available data collection for statistical analysis, while ensuring diverse and democratic input in all steps involved, we can more effectively address the challenges facing our community. My experience in the tech industry equips me with the skills necessary to drive these transformative changes to our city.

However, I recognize that this is a collective effort. As one of 12 city councilors, I value the importance of shared representation in reflecting the voices of all our residents. Consensus building will be crucial in creating effective change that promote social justice, equity, and sustainability for everyone in our city.

I care deeply about Portland and am committed to doing everything in my power to improve our district for all its residents. I believe our missteps are not failures, but opportunities for learning and progress. The world is dynamic, and the only way to create meaningful change is to keep moving forward with determination and hope.

If elected, I would be the first transgender elected official for Portland. My election would provide vital representation and advocacy for the trans community, ensuring our unique perspectives and needs are included in policy decisions. This would promote equality, understanding, and inspire greater acceptance and support within our broader society. Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and progressive Portland.

By increasing capacity for drug treatment and detox programs, expanding shelters, providing more mental health resources, and significantly boosting the availability of affordable housing, we can begin to resolve this crisis. However, we must also implement interim solutions to support those currently in need.

In the short term, I support the creation of designated camping sites where unsheltered individuals can safely reside. We must encourage unsanctioned camps to relocate to these sites, and we must provide the necessary amenities to ensure their safety and health. This includes strong security measures to protect both the residents and the surrounding community.

As we implement these measures, it is crucial to remember that this is merely triage, not the final solution. Our ultimate goal must be to get people off the streets and into permanent homes, meaningful employment, and brighter futures. Falling into the trap of “out of sight, out of mind” would be a grave injustice to those we are committed to helping.

Addressing an issue of this scale requires coordinated solutions from city, county, and state levels. I'm dedicated to working collaboratively with leaders at all levels to develop and implement policies that ensure everyone in our community has access to the support and resources they need to thrive.

Currently in Portland, statistics and data, from crime reports and city budgets to pest control, are scattered across obscure government web pages, random data visualization sites, and PDFs lost in the digital void. These sources tend to be dense, unintuitive, and often outdated. We need to make this information more accessible and transparent.

By transitioning government departments to compatible software systems and building a centralized data management center, we can enhance interdepartmental communication and provide the public and experts with real-time data on the city’s performance. This will allow the development of a proper PDX311 service to empower citizens with tools to interact directly with city departments, from reporting potholes and blocked sidewalks to finding resources such as public pools and cooling centers. NYC is a prime example of a city that has successfully implemented such a system, demonstrating the potential for technology to improve public services and civic engagement.

While data analytics provides valuable insights, it is crucial to maintain human oversight to ensure ethical considerations and empathetic decision-making. Human oversight ensures that the data-driven policies are aligned with our values of equity, justice, and compassion. Experts in social work, community leaders, and advocacy groups must be involved in interpreting data and guiding the implementation of solutions.

Let’s leverage technology to create a more transparent, efficient, and responsive city government that truly serves the needs of all Portlanders.

However, we must ensure these initiatives are implemented thoughtfully. A simplified permitting process should not result in the unchecked construction of low-quality homes or the expansion of single-family neighborhoods that do not meet the diverse needs of our community. Similarly, upzoning to allow multi-family housing must be balanced to avoid over-regulation that stifles innovation and growth.

Crucially, we need a long-term vision to address the root causes of the housing crisis. While short-term measures can provide temporary relief, sustainable solutions are essential to prevent future shortages and escalating prices. Investing in a more inclusive form of mixed-income public housing is a proven strategy, as demonstrated by cities like Vienna and Singapore, which have successfully maintained affordable housing through robust public investment. Means of implementing these reforms within the US system are currently being explored in California which would prove to be a model for such projects in the future.

As long as the majority of housing remains profit-driven, whether by corporate or private interests, we will struggle to provide affordable housing for all. I’m not advocating for the end of private ownership but for the coexistence of a public option that offers Portlanders a viable alternative. By ensuring access to mixed-income public housing, we can create a more equitable and inclusive city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Multnomah County is currently working on building a sobering center in Portland, funded through a combination of city, county, and state resources. This center will alleviate pressure on hospitals and jails by providing a voluntary, safe space for individuals to sober up. I support this initiative and will advocate for its swift implementation.

However, we must also recognize that a sobering center alone is not enough. It will not be equipped to handle those experiencing drug-induced psychosis, who can pose risks to themselves and others. Therefore, I will work with county and state officials to establish a specialized facility designed to support individuals in the throes of addiction and psychosis, offering a secure and structured environment for their treatment.

As we build the necessary infrastructure to support these individuals, we must also enhance our outreach and intervention methods. This includes expanding civil commitment options for those suffering from drug-induced psychosis and ensuring that the criminal justice system can direct those who have committed addiction related crimes towards treatment pathways. However, our primary focus should always be on encouraging voluntary treatment, ensuring that self-motivated individuals receive priority access to these resources.

Our current mental health treatment system is overwhelmed at every level. Anyone who has ever desperately sought help from numerous mental health programs in Portland, whether for themselves or a loved one, knows this struggle all too well. A tragic consequence of this shortage is a system that often prioritizes mental health treatment for those who have committed serious crimes over those who have not.

My primary goal is to significantly increase the availability of mental health treatment resources across the board. The city is currently working to fund various institutions and non-profits to expand capacity, a move I fully support. In addition, I will advocate for the construction of another state mental hospital to provide several hundred more beds. This ambitious project will require cooperation between the city, county, and state, but I am confident that we have the collective will to make it happen.

Once we have established the necessary capacity, I will push for the state to expand the criteria for civil commitment in more situations. Oregon currently has some of the most stringent limits on civil commitment, which can lead to tragic consequences for those suffering from severe mental illness who are unable to receive the help they need. On a broader scale, this exacerbates the strain on shelters, hospitals, and law enforcement. Providing long-term care for those in need benefits both the individuals and our community as a whole.

I propose the development of a centralized, accessible website where Portlanders can easily view the status of city initiatives. This platform would require quarterly updates from city departments, presented in an engaging and interactive manner. By doing so, we can ensure that the public remains informed and empowered, fostering a more inclusive and participatory approach to governance.

However, we must be prepared for a challenging transition as we adapt to this new system of governance. It is crucial to ensure that our current systems run smoothly as we redistribute responsibilities. If elected, I will proactively foster relationships between current and incoming city council members, city departments, and the transition team even before my term begins. This approach will help prevent any disruption in city services as we hand over the reins, ensuring that Portland continues to function effectively and efficiently during this transition period.