The Southwest Corridor Equity Coalition (SWEC) is a community-centered, coordinated effort between community organizations, residents, businesses, philanthropic partners, and state and local government bodies.
We affirm that racial equity, as an understanding and acknowledgment of historical and ongoing racial inequities and a commitment to actions challenging those inequities, is a core tenet of our Coalition’s practice.
All Southwest Corridor residents must have:
Choices for where to live for people of all income levels.
A range of jobs with living wage for people of all backgrounds.
Learning opportunities to prepare people for those jobs.
Wages that support them to live and work in the corridor.
SWEC works to ensure that the residents of the SW Corridor have access to the opportunities that the light rail project will bring and concurrently address the impact associated with this major infrastructure investment.
SWEC Committees
Executive Committee
The SWEC Executive Committee is made up of six BIPOC-led community based organizations that represent historically marginalized communities in the SW Corridor. Its mission is to make decisions that facilitate and effectuate the development of the Coalition’s vision, structure, and work plan.
Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is formed by a team of experts who advise the Executive Committee and Workgroups on the effective design and implementation of SWEC initiatives and action plans, which in turn lead to achieving the Southwest Corridor Equitable Development Strategy.
Community Leadership Cohort
Convened by Unite Oregon, the SWEC Community Leadership Cohort offers capacity building training and hands-on experience for individuals who share the Coalition’s mission and values; identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants, or Refugees; and live, work, pray, or play in the SW Corridor.
SWEC Workgroups
Anti-Displacement
Workgroup
Led by Community Alliance of Tenants, the SWEC Anti-Displacement Workgroup strives to prevent involuntary residential and commercial displacement in the SW Corridor. The Workgroup aims to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, expand the development of new affordable units, and offer more homeownership opportunities.
WPTC Community
Development Workgroup
HAKI Community Organization, supported by Neighborhood House, leads the SWEC West Portland Town Center Community Development Workgroup. The goal is to ensure equitable development and implementation of the WPTC Plan by working with government agencies and the broader community in the area.
Business and Workforce
Development Workgroup
Launched in September 2021, this Workgroup is co-led by Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) and Centro Cultural to assess the needs of small businesses and BIPOC workforce in the SW Corridor. In collaboration with government bodies, the Workgroup, then, identifies tools and resources to meet those needs.
SWEC Partners
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