Meet Sam Chase

When I was a child, I went backpacking in the mountains often. When we left a camp site, we were always taught not just to clean it well, but to make it even nicer than when we arrived. Early in my life, I decided that I would spend it trying to make the world a better place than when I came into it. I have spent most of my adult life in community service advocating for schools, the environment, and affordable housing for seniors.

I am currently the Executive Director of the Community Development Network—a nonprofit with a mission to create healthy neighborhoods. I’ve helped lead multiple efforts to champion housing resulting in millions of dollars and hundreds of homes developed for our most vulnerable seniors, families with children, and disabled.

I organized a grassroots effort that helped secure more than $26 million to repair our schools and pay for computers.

Through my work on the Coalition for a Livable Future, I helped protect our streams, keep water clean, and preserve wildlife areas.

As a volunteer, I have served on the board of the Northwest District Association, Portland Community Land Trust, and the Housing Development Center. I also helped found X-Pac, a group committed to getting young people involved in community service.

Other work experience includes: Director of the Clackamas Community Land Trust; Housing Policy Advisor for City of Portland Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury; Yes! On Portland School Bonds Campaign; Kitzhaber for Governor; Substitute Teacher.

My wife Meredith and I live in NW Portland with our children Zoe and Tatum.

Please call or email me to talk about the issues YOU think are important in our neighborhoods. 



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