City Cast Portland
Why Portland's housing crisis is the country’s worst
June 2, 2025 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning! As part of acknowledging “systemic discrimination” in its urban renewal program, the city of Portland has agreed to pay $2 million to 26 descendants of Black Portlanders whose Albina neighborhood homes were destroyed during the late ’50s to early ’70s. The city will also turn over two parcels of land as part of settling a federal lawsuit the descendants had filed 🏡
What's CITY Talking About?
Why Portland Has the Country's Worst Housing Crisis
Portland came in dead last among the 100 largest U.S. metro areas, according to analysis by the financial company LendingTree. Portland has among the lowest vacancy rates and among the lowest income relative to the price of the average home, which means the cost of housing is projected to rise. [KOIN]
Tariff Uncertainty for Oregon Businesses
In one more moment of uncertainty about tariffs, an appellate court put the decision to overturn most of the Trump administration tariffs on hold Thursday. Oregon’s trade-dependent economy is particularly impacted by the back-and-forth on tariffs. For example, Hacea Coffee Source isn't certain if it'll have to pay 10% more to retrieve its latest shipment of Ethiopian coffee from customs in Los Angeles. [Oregonian 🔒]
How the River Shaped Portland
The Willamette River aided the city’s industrial boom, served as an open sewer, and is slowly being transformed into a swimmers' paradise. Oregon historian Doug Kenck-Crispin explains how the river shaped modern-day Portland. [City Cast Portland 🎧].
Sponsored Content
All the Action, Only at Providence Park!
Don’t miss back-to-back match days at Providence Park! The Portland Timbers host St Louis on June 8 and will be celebrating Pride. One June 13th they host the Houston Dynamo. Two big games, one epic week. Grab your tickets now at Timbers.com and be part of the action.
What To Do
Monday, June 2
- 🎤 Karaoke From Hell | Dante's (Old Town-Chinatown)
- 🎵 Fear No Music: Out of Many | The Old Church (Downtown)
- 🎬 Friendship | Hollywood Theatre
Tuesday, June 3
- 🎵 Reisender: Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series | Pioneer Courthouse Square
- 🎵 Mabe Fratti | Mission Theater (Northwest District)
- 🎵 Hauser | Moda Center
♨️ Before you go: There’s a new hot springs option in the Columbia Gorge. Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa (on the Washington side) has been closed for nearly nine years. But it’s back open — and looks lovely.
📣 Shoutout: Thank you to all new the City Cast Portland Neighbors: Neisha S., Michael L., Therese S., Laura J., Tiffany R., Elaine H., Georgia H., Andrea H., Kat L.-R., Dobby G., Kate T., James E., Diana M., Bruce L., and Amber B. We’re so very glad to have your support!
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