MEET
ALEX PHAN
Alex Phan is a lifelong Washington County resident, real estate professional, and community leader dedicated to building opportunity, equity, and stability for families in Washington County and across the Portland Metro region.
Alex is running for Metro Council District 4 to ensure that every family has access to affordable housing, reliable transportation, and a thriving economy that balances job growth with environmental sustainability. Guided by his belief that “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Alex is committed to making sure the voices of everyone in our community are heard – including working families, immigrants and refugees, small business owners, and youth – in the decisions that shape the future of our region.
His life story—from a childhood of housing instability to becoming a community leader and housing advocate—fuels his passion for serving his community.
Growing up in
Washington County
Born in 1984 to Vietnamese immigrant parents who fled their homeland after the Vietnam War, Alex grew up with a deep understanding of resilience, sacrifice, and the pursuit of the American dream. His parents worked tirelessly—often moving from apartment to apartment to save every dollar toward their down payment for a home. When Alex’s father passed away, the only wealth he had to leave behind was the equity in that house, instilling in Alex a lifelong belief that housing is more than shelter: it is security, dignity, and opportunity.
Raised in Beaverton and Aloha, Alex experienced firsthand the challenges of housing insecurity and the struggles of fitting in as a first-generation Asian American. A childhood accident, family hardship, and brushes with trouble as a teenager could have derailed his future. Instead, thanks to second chances, positive mentors, and the unwavering support of his high school sweetheart (now wife, Kim), Alex turned his life around. These experiences inspired his commitment to serve others and create pathways for opportunity.
Professional Success
For the past 18 years, Alex has built a successful career as a Realtor®, helping hundreds of families across the Metro region achieve their dream of homeownership. He is the founder and principal broker of Diverse Realty Group, one of the region’s leading multicultural real estate teams. His professional success has been matched by his leadership in the industry: Alex earned the prestigious National Association of Realtors “30 Under 30” Award, has served on multiple boards and committees, and played a key role in launching local chapters of national affinity groups such as the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB).
Serving the Community
Alex currently serves as Board Chair of HomePlate Youth Services, Washington County’s only nonprofit dedicated to supporting homeless and unstably housed youth. He previously chaired the Clean Water Services Advisory Commission and has consistently championed diversity and equity within the Oregon Realtors Association, helping to build networks for underrepresented professionals across the state.
Deeply rooted in his faith and family, Alex and Kim have been together for over 25 years and are raising their two daughters, Phoebe and Zara, in Beaverton.
why i'm running
I’m running for Metro Council because I believe that every family deserves the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their children.
I believe that because I’ve lived it. My immigrant refugee parents scraped and saved every dollar they could to buy a home. And that home gave our family stability, ending the apartment-to-apartment hustle that marked my childhood. When my dad passed away, that home was the wealth he left behind.
On the Metro Council, I’ll make sure that everyone’s voices are heard. After all, if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu! When everyone’s voice is heard in the halls of power, we make sure that the policies we pass serve everyone.
Metro is responsible for how we use land in our region.
I’ll make sure that we protect the farm and forest land that we all love, while ensuring that we have enough land to build housing and create jobs for our families.
We need housing of all kinds – single-family homes, condos, rental apartments, and transitional housing and shelters – to make sure everyone has a warm place to call home. More housing, built faster in the places we need it, makes housing more affordable for everyone.
And we need good family-wage jobs right here in Washington County and across the region. That means supporting our neighborhood small businesses, our visionary entrepreneurs, and everyone working to get ahead. When government invests in transportation, housing, and other projects, we’ll support Oregon companies to do the work and hire local people to do the work.
Metro is responsible for planning our regional transportation system.
I’ll make sure that we rethink how transportation works in an era of remote work, mobile professionals, and climate crisis.
We need bus and transit systems that go where people live, that show up on time, and are safe and comfortable to ride. We need sidewalks in neighborhoods to keep folks safe. And we need highways that move people and stuff where it needs to go, with as little pollution-creating traffic as possible.
And yeah, Metro is responsible for our Oregon Zoo.
My daughters, Phoebe and Zara, love the zoo. And I know your family does too. We’ll make sure the animals are cared for. We’ll make sure the Oregon Zoo is there for future generations of kids (and the rest of us too!)
Got ideas? I want to hear from you.
I believe that our political leaders should listen more, and talk less. I’m running to represent you, and that starts with hearing from you.