Carson photo by Matt Rourke | AP

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on Wednesday launched a series of tweets at U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson for saying on NPR that government funding is not the only solution to the West Coast's growing homeless population and affordable housing crisis.

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But we can’t do these projects without federal help. Secretary Carson, if you don’t think gov’t can provide solutions, then you should step aside and allow someone up to the task to lead. — Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) December 7, 2017

“Secretary Carson,” Wheeler tweeted, “if you don’t think (government) can provide solutions, then you should step aside and allow someone up to the task to lead.”

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The mayor then touted the Portland City Council's decision on Wednesday to subsidize construction of a 13-story affordable housing building that will add 203 new affordable apartments along the River District's Southwest Waterfront.

Portland is still stepping up. Just today we authorized a new project with 13 floors of affordable housing. That's 203 multi-family units, including permanent supportive housing and Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing. — Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) December 7, 2017

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Photo from Google Maps

The council unanimously agreed to spend $100,000 per apartment, of which 90 will be affordable to families and individuals making 30 percent or less of the median area income. Twenty will come with social services such as mental health care and career coaching.

That's because the local housing authority, Home Forward, will provide 70 project-based Section 8 vouchers and 10 project-based vouchers for veterans to help very low-income households pay their rent.

“Our commitment to develop deeply affordable housing continues with this project,” Wheeler said Wednesday.

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Wheeler further admonished Carson, tweeting that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development “is moving us backward” by supporting the GOP's tax plan. That plan lowers incentives for companies to buy tax credits for building affordable housing and gets rid of certain tax-exempt bonds that the city has used to fund such apartments.

Instead, HUD is moving us backward. The pending #GOPTaxPlan, that you support, removes tools that enable Portland to invest in affordable housing. — Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) December 7, 2017

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Stephanie Yao Long

Portland residents have been hard-hit by the lack of affordable housing. Thousands suffer the discomfort and danger of living outdoors in tents or make-shift shacks. Renters and homeowners endure the noise, trash and nuisance that often come with having campers nearby.

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Allan Brettman | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Downtown business owners expressed concern to Wheeler this month that some people who stay on the streets downtown scare away shoppers or commit crimes against storeowners or employees.

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The mayor did concede on Twitter that nonprofits, the private sector and the broader community should help government tackle the nationwide affordable housing crisis. Still, he didn’t mince words.

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While I agree that there is a role for the entire community in addressing housing issues, the truth is @HUDgov needs to step up to the plate and create real solutions for our housing crisis. — Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) December 7, 2017

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“The truth is @HUDgov needs to step up to the plate and create real solutions for our housing crisis,” Wheeler tweeted.

--Jessica Floum

jfloum@oregonian.com

503-221-8306

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