Senior Analyst Jennifer Shuch Elected Board President of Local Housing Organization

Senior Analyst Jennifer Shuch was recently elected the president of the board of Portland: Neighbors Welcome (P:NW), a grassroots pro-housing, pro-tenant organization that advocates for better access to housing at the city and state levels. Jennifer joined the organization in 2021 and has been a member of the board since 2023, most recently serving as Vice President. Prior to that, she was the administrative lead of the organization’s Equitable Zoning work group.

P:NW got its start during the fight for the Residential Infill Project (RIP), Portland’s historic zoning code update that allows up to six units on residential lots throughout the city. Since she joined the organization, Jennifer has advocated for additional improvements to RIP, increased flexibility in historic districts through the Historic Resources Code Project, more options for temporary, transitional, and low-barrier housing through the Shelter to Housing Continuum Code Project, and housing-first solutions for homelessness. She has also been involved in discussions regarding the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis methodology.

Currently, Jennifer is supporting P:NW’s Inner Eastside for All campaign, with a goal of allowing multistory apartment buildings and corner stores throughout Portland’s inner east side, from Powell to Fremont and 12^th to 60^th. As part of this effort, Jennifer has engaged neighborhood associations and coalition partners, met with Bureau of Planning and Sustainability staff, and participated in City Council outreach. She was on a panel with representatives from BPS and Home Forward that showcased Inner Eastside for All as a grassroots-driven planning effort at the Oregon APA conference in 2024. As a board member, she has participated in hiring the organization’s first staff members, helped to create a values matrix to guide organizational decision-making, and supported the effort to create a 501(c)3 affiliate organization, Growing Affordable Portland. Going forward, she will support the board’s work through development planning and communications.