CLF formed in 1994, after a visit to Portland from Minnesota State Representative Myron Orfield. Orfield presented research that clearly showed that the Portland area was beginning to display the patterns of suburban sprawl and economic polarization that were tearing apart many major U.S. cities. His message was a wake-up call for a handful of local organizations, including 1000 Friends of Oregon, Community Development Network, the Audubon Society of Portland, the Urban League and others, who wanted to lead this region in a different direction.

After several months of preliminary work by this small initial group of diverse organizations and individuals, CLF formally announced its foundation on November 28, 1994 when it presented a detailed set of proposed amendments to the Metro Region 2040 Growth Concept, two-thirds of which has been adopted and incorporated into the Regional Framework Plan. This group of land use, affordable housing, conservation, transit, social justice, and inner-city development advocates has outlined a new vision for the metropolitan area--a vision that maintains and restores, rather than destroys, our common social and environmental fabric.

Over the years, the coalition's membership grew and we continued to influence our region's development. In 2000, it became clear that our region needed the Coalition to continue over the long term. At that time, we officially incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

The Coalition continues to grow and evolve. See our current member organizations.