City of Salem

The town hall focused on the issue of student reading proficiency and its importance to the future. Key discussion topics included the national landscape of reading instruction, the impact of local control on school districts, factors affecting reading achievement such as attendance and time, the role of educator preparation programs, and the implementation of the Early Literacy Success Act. Specific components of the legislation discussed included high-quality instructional materials, professional development, instructional coaching, high-dosage tutoring, and summer programming.

This strategic plan, part of the 'Safe, Clean, and Healthy Salem' initiative, aims to lower substance use and improve community health by focusing on three strategic pillars: Prevent, Treat, and Enforce. Key objectives include promoting community education, building resiliency, and diverting individuals from risky behaviors; connecting individuals to behavioral health and recovery services to reduce drug-related deaths; and increasing drug seizures, tracking trends, and reducing drug-related violent crime through robust enforcement. The plan also emphasizes aligning efforts with regional partners and improving system coordination.

This document outlines a strategic approach focused on lowering substance use and improving community health in Salem. It employs a comprehensive strategy built upon three core pillars: Prevention (avoiding misuse, building resiliency, and redirecting risky behaviors), Treatment (connecting individuals to behavioral health and recovery services, aligning regional efforts, and supporting access to care), and Enforcement (reducing drug flow and holding distributors accountable). The City of Salem's role involves coordinating partners, aligning resources, and advocating for systemic improvements, while actively mapping existing systems, identifying service gaps, and convening regional partners.

This document provides a 2025 update on Salem's Housing Production Strategy. The original plan, adopted in May 2025, outlines 17 actions to encourage housing development and promote equitable housing outcomes over a six-year period. Key actions include developing urban renewal areas, funding infrastructure improvements, revising system development charges and zoning codes, implementing tax incentive programs, supporting various housing initiatives such as permanent supportive housing and community land trusts, providing homebuyer assistance, improving the permitting process, advocating for manufactured home residents, increasing developer awareness, expanding ready-build plans, and affirmatively furthering fair housing.

The Salem-Keizer Regional Scenario Plan outlines strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from light-duty vehicles by 31% by 2050, while also improving how people move through the region. This is achieved through an emphasis on active transportation, public transit, and education/outreach programs. The plan prioritizes targeted investments and actions in underserved neighborhoods to address historic and current inequities.