The legislative session is in the home stretch. The Housing Alliance is hard at work, calling upon legislators to meet Oregon’s critical housing needs. The legislative session must end by July 10, and we need to ensure that legislators do not go home without significant action for housing opportunity.
Many of our bills are before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means and are not expected to move unless the Legislature finds a path forward to raise additional revenue. You can see more information on all of the Housing Alliance lead agenda and support agenda items on our website.
Resources to meet Oregon’s housing needs
The Housing Alliance is advocating for:
- $50 million in funding for emergency rent assistance to prevent homelessness and move people back into housing through the Emergency Housing Account (EHA), and the State Homeless Assistance Program (SHAP) to support emergency shelters; and
- Protecting existing homeowners with foreclosure counseling.
On June 19, the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development recommended a budget for Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) that contained $9.5 million for EHA and SHAP, a 6% cut to the current service level (the amount allocated for the current biennium). Foreclosure counseling was not included in the OHCS budget. The Subcommittee has indicated that these cuts were due to revenue constraints.
The Subcommittee reconsidered the budget on June 22 and restored the current service level and added an additional $10 million in a one-time allocation for EHA and SHAP. While this is a step in the right direction, it is not nearly enough to meet the need and we are continuing to advocate for $50 million in funding for these critical programs. Update: The budget was passed out of the full Joint Committee on Ways and Means and passed its third reading on the House floor on June 30.
The Housing Alliance and its members will continue to work hard advocating for EHA, SHAP, and foreclosure counseling as legislators make adjustments to agency budgets.
Two other priority resource asks are going through the bonding process before the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction, which will be completed at the very end of this legislative session:
- $100 million for the preservation of existing affordable homes throughout Oregon; and
- $100 million in Local Innovation and Fast Track affordable housing program bonds to create more affordable housing, both rentals and homeownership units.
Housing stability for renters
HB 2004B would protect tenants by limiting no-cause evictions. The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Human Services on May 31 with amendments and is now before the Senate Committee on Rules. Update: HB 2004B passed the Senate Committee on Rules with the adoption of the –B21 amendments on June 28.
The Housing Alliance and the Stable Homes for Oregon Families coalition continue to fight hard for the passage of HB 2004B. The bill would offer important protections for people who rent their homes by limiting the use of no cause evictions.
New revenue for housing opportunity
The document recording fee is the only source of dedicated revenue for affordable housing. HB 3357B would increase the fee to $40, helping to fund development of affordable housing, create affordable homeownership opportunities, and provide emergency rent assistance. The bill passed out of the House Committee on Revenue and is now before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit
The Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit (OAHTC) helps fund development and preservation of affordable housing. The credit expires in 2020. HB 2852A would renew the credit, increase the cap, and provide new tools to capitalize on the value of the tax credit. That bill passed out of House Human Services and Housing and is now in the Joint Committee on Tax Credits. Two of the key provisions, the extension of the credit until 2026 and increase in the cap to $25 million, were included in proposed amendments to the tax credit omnibus bill, HB 2066. We are awaiting further action on HB 2066 in the Joint Committee on Tax Credits.
Affordable homeownership opportunities
HB 2570 would establish a revolving loan fund that would enable nonprofit developers to create more affordable homes for purchase. The bill has passed out of the House Committee on Human Services and Housing and is now before Ways and Means. Unless there is new revenue available this session, it is unlikely this concept will move forward at this time.
Housing Alliance support agenda items
- Allow households earning up to 80% of the area median income to be eligible for LIFT homeownership units (HB 3175): Signed into law by the Governor!
- Building code changes to tiny homes (HB 2737B): Signed into law by the Governor!
- Increase participation in the Earned Income Tax Credit Program (SB 398): Signed into law by the Governor!
- Funding for 211info, the Oregon Hunger Response Fund, the General Assistance Program, and the restoration of the Fairview Trust to provide community housing opportunities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities are all under consideration in Department of Human Services budget (SB 5526).
- Rental Assurance Fund for Tenants (HB 2724): Passed out of House Human Services and Housing; referred to Ways and Means. Update: Passed out of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development on June 29 and returned to the full Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
- Land acquisition program (HB 2912): Passed out of House Human Services and Housing; referred to Ways and Means. Update: Passed out of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development on June 29 and returned to the full Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
- Joint Oregon Housing and Community Services and Department of Land Conservation and Development positions (HB 3373): Passed out of House Human Services and Housing; referred to Ways and Means.
- Agricultural Workforce Housing Operations Tax Credit (SB 1): Passed out of Finance and Revenue; referred to Joint Committee on Tax Credits.
- New tools for the preservation of existing affordable housing (HB 2002): Passed out of House Human Services and Housing; referred to Ways and Means. Update: Passed out of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development and passed out of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on June 30.
- Down payment assistance (HB 3192): Passed out of House Human Services and Housing and House Revenue; referred to Ways and Means.
- Fund for repair and rehabilitation of existing homes (HB 2961): Passed out of House Human Services and Housing; referred to Ways and Means.
View our full support agenda here.
Bills no longer moving
HB 2006 (mortgage interest deduction reform) and HB 2215 (Right to Rest Act) did not meet the first chamber deadline. HB 2879, which would create a capital gains tax exemption for the sale of multifamily housing to nonprofits and housing authorities, had technical issues that resulted in it not moving forward, although we are looking at other legislation that can incorporate the same concept.