Equitable Poverty Reduction and Prevention Plan
City of Gresham, Oregon
Economic Resilience
The City of Gresham, a vibrant municipality of approximately 100,000 residents east of Portland, Oregon, stands out for its forward-thinking strategic plan. Fourth Economy was drawn to work with Gresham because of its focus on poverty reduction and prevention, demonstrating the city’s commitment to fostering economic mobility for residents.
While city leadership had a clear vision for improving the lives of low-income residents, they faced challenges aligning resources with community needs and assets. Fourth Economy was engaged to strategically focus their efforts, ensuring data-driven decisions, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and a clear direction for future actions to enhance economic mobility.
Our Approach
The process began with an in-depth data scan and synthesis, analyzing quality of life indicators such as health outcomes, employment trends, education attainment, and income levels. Particular attention was paid to geographic nuances within the city, including neighborhoods with significant disparities in economic and social outcomes. Building on the data analysis, we facilitated mini build sessions with key informants and stakeholders. Recognizing the importance of sustained community engagement, Fourth Economy also developed a mini community engagement toolkit for the city. This toolkit provided a structured framework to support future outreach efforts, helping the city foster trust, gather feedback, and build momentum for its economic mobility initiative.
The final deliverable was a comprehensive report tailored to Gresham’s needs, containing granular data on economic mobility and quality of life metrics. The report provided insights at both citywide and neighborhood levels, creating a roadmap for informed decision-making. Designed as the foundation for a multi-phase initiative, the report offered strategic recommendations and identified priorities for action, laying the groundwork for an intensive community engagement phase. The tools and insights provided by Fourth Economy have positioned Gresham to take strategic steps in enhancing economic mobility. With clear direction, the city is prepared to implement recommendations, engage the community, and explore innovative approaches to poverty reduction and prevention.
Location
Gresham, OR