Portland Housing Bureau Director Kurt Creager Is Leaving Abruptly, and Equity Director Dante James Is Leaving Too

Creager given a severance package of $96,714.94, worth seventh months' salary.

(Thomas Teal)
By Rachel Monahan

The Portland Housing Bureau will have new leadership as it embarks next year on spending the $258 million housing bond approved by voters.

Bureau director Kurt Creager is leaving abruptly. His last official day is tomorrow, the mayor's office announced. He'll received a severance package worth $96,714.94, worth seven months' salary, according to his severance agreement.

Shannon Callahan, who served as an aide to Commissioner Dan Saltzman until August, will be the interim director. Wheeler appointed Callahan as assistant housing director this summer.

"Kurt has been a tremendous asset as we work to add more affordable housing units in Portland and implement stronger protections for tenants," says Wheeler in a statement. "I wish Kurt all the best as he moves on from his time with the City."

At the same time, the mayor's office announced that Dante James, who heads the Office of Equity and Human Rights, is also stepping down.

James’s last day with the City will be Dec. 15. (He is not receiving a severance package.)

"Dante's work was instrumental in creating the budget equity tool, and our plan to enhance equitable workforce development in city construction projects through the Community Equity and Inclusion Plan, which was unanimously adopted by City Council this year, among many accomplishments," says Wheeler.

Koffi "Jean-Pierre" Dessou, currently a program manager in in the office, will serve as interim bureau director.

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.