Meet Theo Hathaway Saner, candidate for Portland City Council District 3

Editor’s note: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Stay informed with OPB on the presidential race, key congressional battles and other local contests and ballot measures in Oregon and Southwest Washington at opb.org/elections.

Name: Thero Hathaway Saner

Neighborhood: Madison South

Are you a renter or homeowner? Homeowner

Education: Portland State University, Bachelor of Arts in Community Development, Minor in Sustainable Real Estate Development; Oregon Department of Revenue Property Appraisal License.

Occupation: Property Management & Resident Services Manager, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI); Board Member, WeShinePDX.org; Community Advisory Committee Member, Joint Office of Homeless Services.

How long you’ve lived in the city of Portland: 17 years

Age: 47

Pronouns: he/him

Portland is facing a historic election involving a new voting system and an unusually high number of candidates. Journalists at The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregon Public Broadcasting share a goal of ensuring that Portland voters have the information they need to make informed choices, and we also know candidates’ time is valuable and limited.

That’s why the two news organizations teamed up this cycle to solicit Portland City Council candidates’ perspectives on the big issues in this election. Here’s what they had to say:

Related: What you need to know about voting in Oregon and Southwest Washington

For each of the following questions, we asked candidates to limit their answers to 150 words.

Name two existing city policies or budget items you’d make it a priority to change. Why did you select those and how do you plan to line up at least 7 votes on the council to make them happen? Please avoid broad, sweeping statements and instead provide details.

Policy 1: Streamlining Affordable Housing Permitting

One of my key priorities is to streamline the permitting process for affordable housing. Currently, this process is bogged down by bureaucracy, delaying vital housing projects. Simplifying and speeding up permitting will reduce costs and time, helping to address Portland’s housing crisis more effectively.

Policy 2: Expanding Mental Health Crisis Intervention

Another priority is reallocating a portion of the public safety budget to expand mental health crisis intervention services, such as the Portland Street Response. These services, led by trained mental health professionals, provide more appropriate responses to non-violent crises, easing the burden on law enforcement and improving public safety.

To secure support for these policies, I would collaborate with council members committed to affordable housing and public safety reform. By presenting data, engaging with stakeholders, and demonstrating the benefits of these changes, I believe we can secure the votes needed.

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What previous accomplishments show that you are the best pick in your district? Please be specific.

I’m proud of my work at Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI), where I manage properties and resident services for our city’s most housing-insecure residents. This role has deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by those struggling to secure affordable housing and strengthened my commitment to finding real solutions. As a board member of WeShine, I’ve secured funding to create transitional housing that provides not just shelter but a path to permanent housing. My role on the Supportive Housing Services Community Advisory Committee for the Joint Office of Homeless Services focuses on ensuring resources reach Portland’s most underserved communities. These experiences have equipped me to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, navigate complex challenges, and achieve meaningful results. I’m ready to bring this dedication and vision to the Portland City Council to ensure every Portlander has the opportunity to thrive.

Portland is on track to permit the fewest number of multifamily units in 15 years and remains thousands of units below what’s needed to meet demand. What steps would you take to dramatically and quickly increase the availability of housing?

To dramatically and quickly increase the availability of housing in Portland, we need to cut through the red tape that’s slowing down development. First, I would prioritize streamlining the permitting process for multifamily housing projects. We need to simplify the bureaucracy and fast-track approvals for projects that meet affordability and sustainability criteria. This will reduce delays and encourage more developers to invest in building the housing our city desperately needs.

Additionally, I would advocate for incentivizing the construction of affordable units through tax breaks and zoning adjustments, especially in areas where housing demand is highest. We must also strengthen public-private partnerships, working closely with developers, community organizations, and the city to identify and utilize underused land for new housing.

By taking these bold steps, we can increase our housing stock more rapidly and start to meet the growing demand, ensuring that every Portlander has a place to call home.

Related: Listen to 'OPB Politics Now'

The next City Council is going to have to make some very difficult decisions regarding what to fund and how. What essential services must the city provide and how should the city sustainably fund them?

The current situation in Portland is simply unsustainable. We have far too few affordable housing units, and as a result, too many people are forced to live in tents. This lack of housing isn’t just a humanitarian issue; it directly impacts public safety and strains our healthcare system far more than housed populations do. Unsheltered individuals face higher rates of illness, injury, and vulnerability, which in turn places enormous pressure on emergency services and public health resources.

This is fundamentally a public health issue, and the solution is clear: we must get more people into safe, stable housing. By prioritizing affordable housing and supportive services, we can reduce the number of people living on the streets, improve public safety, and alleviate the burden on our healthcare system. As your City Council member, I will make it a top priority to ensure that every Portlander has a place to call home.

Portlanders have approved many tax measures in the past decade – supporting affordable housing, free preschool programs and green energy initiatives. Are there specific taxes or levies you want eliminated or would choose to not renew? Are there specific taxes or levies you would support creating? Why?

Portlanders have consistently supported tax measures to fund vital programs like affordable housing, free preschool, and green energy. While I deeply respect this commitment, we must ensure these taxes are effective and not overly burdensome on working families. I believe we should regularly review existing taxes and levies to ensure they are delivering measurable results. For instance, if a green energy levy isn’t achieving significant impact or is implemented inequitably, we should reconsider its renewal or make necessary improvements.

I would support creating or expanding taxes that directly address urgent needs like affordable housing and mental health services, areas where the return on investment is clear—reducing homelessness and improving public safety. Any new tax should be progressive, ensuring those with greater means contribute more, and must be transparent and directly linked to outcomes that benefit all Portlanders. My focus is on a fair, sustainable approach to funding our city’s future.

Do you have any concerns with the changes coming to city elections and city governance? If so, what would you like to see change?

As we transition to a new model of city elections and governance, my primary concern is ensuring that these changes truly empower all Portlanders, especially those who have been historically marginalized. While the new system promises more representation, there’s a risk that increased complexity could lead to voter confusion or disengagement. To counter this, I believe we must prioritize voter education and outreach, making sure every Portlander understands how to navigate the new system and feel confident in their vote.

Additionally, we need to monitor how well the new structure supports collaboration and accountability among elected officials. If the changes create barriers to effective governance or dilute the focus on critical issues like housing and public safety, we should be prepared to make adjustments. My goal is to ensure that these reforms lead to a more inclusive, responsive, and effective city government that serves the needs of all its residents.

For the five remaining questions, we asked candidates to answer in 50 words or fewer:

Do you favor arresting and jailing people who camp on public property in Portland who refuse repeated offers of shelter, such as the option to sleep in a city-designated tiny home cluster?

I do not favor arresting or jailing unsheltered individuals. Instead, I support expanding housing options and addressing root causes like mental health and addiction. Criminalization only exacerbates the issue.

Would you vote yes on a proposal to fund hundreds more police officers than the City Council has already authorized? Why or why not? How would the city pay for it?

I would not support funding more police officers without ensuring those resources address community safety holistically. Instead, I’d prioritize mental health services and alternative response teams, funded by reallocating existing resources.

Do you support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot? What, if any changes, would you support?

I support the Clean Energy Fund but believe it needs greater oversight and efficiency. I’d consider changes to ensure funds are used effectively, targeting projects that offer the most environmental and community impact.

Which would you prioritize: Creation of more protected bike lanes and priority bus lanes or improved surfacing of existing degraded driving lanes?

I’d prioritize creating more protected bike lanes and priority bus lanes to promote sustainable transportation, reduce congestion, and improve safety for all road users.

Have the problems impacting downtown Portland received too much or too little attention from current city leaders? Why?

Downtown issues have received attention, but solutions have been piecemeal. We need a comprehensive approach that balances safety, economic recovery, and support for vulnerable populations, ensuring downtown thrives for everyone.