Portland Councilors Fly to Vienna on Taxpayer Dime | Social Housing Study Sparks Backlash

Portland city councilors are under fire for flying to Vienna, Austria, to “study” social housing — with taxpayers footing the bill. About 20 people, including three councilors, chiefs of staff, and housing bureau staff, are making the trip.Supporters say Vienna is the global “gold standard” for social housing and that seeing it in person will help Portland craft long-term solutions for affordable housing. Critics argue the trip is unnecessary, too expensive, and could have been done virtually.