Core membership is reserved for organizations that directly represent, organize in, or work alongside frontline communities that are most impacted by gentrification and displacement -- Black and Indigenous communities, communities of color, immigrants, and refugees who are: experiencing houselessness, renters, and/or experiencing poverty and low wages. Core member organizations are base-building to support grassroots power for these communities.

Many Core member organizations have multiple programs of work. The representative to the coalition must be actively connected with the organization’s base. The coalition representative should be actively in dialogue with members about the activities of the coalition and should be representing those voices to the coalition table. The representative could be organizational staff, or a grassroots organizer-leader.

Core organizations will set the policy agenda, determine political strategy, carry out communications strategy, and direct the relationship with technical advisors. Agreeing to join the coalition means individual organizations will not publicly break with coalition policy advocacy. Representatives from Core organizations should be in communication with their staff and board leaders to ensure consistency and alignment.

General members provide support resources and technical and topical expertise. They are organizations that act in solidarity with frontline communities and express shared values with the coalition. General membership will be approved by consensus of Core members, and must also consent to all coalition governing documents. They are not decision makers in the coalition.

General members make commitments not to publicly break with the coalition, and to communicate clearly and transparently about activities and messages that have an impact on the shared work of their organization with the coalition. This is especially important in cases in which organizations may have interests in tension with Core Membership. This includes efforts to eliminate undermining Coalition efforts and holding one another to community accountability when such tensions arise. Transparent communication is also expected in fundraising, contracting, and consulting work outside of the coalition in this area of work.

While Members are organizations, individuals can contribute their time and skills to the Coalition’s work in a variety of ways. We are proud to collaborate with students from Portland State University and the University of Oregon on several impactful projects. These partnerships provide valuable hands-on experience for the next generation of housing justice advocates, while also advancing our mission.

PSU students have played a key role in our community outreach and education initiatives. Through internships and class projects, they have developed educational materials, organized tenant workshops, and conducted research on the local housing landscape. Their work has been instrumental in amplifying the voices of impacted residents and informing our policy agenda.

Meanwhile, University of Oregon students have supported our data analysis and mapping efforts. By leveraging their skills in GIS, data visualization, and spatial analysis, they have helped us identify neighborhoods at high risk of displacement. This critical information guides our targeted organizing and advocacy work.

We are grateful for the passion and expertise these students bring to our coalition. Their contributions have strengthened our ability to build community-led power and drive systemic change. We look forward to continuing these valuable partnerships as we work towards a more equitable and affordable Portland for all.