Contact your Legislators asking them to support budget requests for OHCS

With budget negotiations ramping up after the release last Wednesday of the Revenue forecast several Housing Alliance Opportunity Agenda items are before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Of critical importance is SB 5512 which appropriates money from the General Fund to Oregon Housing and Community Services.

Now is the time to identify a budget priority you are most passionate about and email, call, or write your Legislators to ask for their support. Even better if your Legislator is on the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Also check out the OHCS legislative agenda. The Governor’s Recommended Budget asks for an investment of $406.1 million, recognizing it will take an unprecedented effort at all levels to create stabilization in Oregon’s housing market.

The Housing Alliance is asking you to do three things:

  1. Identify one or two housing budget priorities. You can see our Housing Opportunity Agenda as well as our list of Endorsements for details on a number of budget requests. Also check out their latest blog post about what is waiting for action by the Joint Committee on Ways & Means.
  2. Identify the Legislators who represent the area your organization serves.
  3. Email or call these Legislators, and ask them to support the budget requests you identified – and we’re not just asking for their vote, we want them to understand why this ask is important to you, and to advocate for it with the Joint Committee on Ways & Means.

Pick one or two bills you are passionate about and contact your Legislators!

Prevent and End Homelessness (SB 5512)

Critical funding for emergency rent assistance, rapid re-housing, and emergency shelter through the Emergency Housing Account (EHA) and the State Homelessness Assistance Program (SHAP). $50 million in on-going funding. EHA and SHAP are funded through the OHCS budget. We now await action by the Joint Committee on Ways & Means.

Increasing our supply of safe, stable, and affordable housing across Oregon (HB 5005)

Additional resources to develop regulated affordable housing are needed. In 2019, the Legislature should commit $200 million in general obligation bonds, with up to 20% of those resources for home ownership. This awaits action by the Joint Committee on Ways & Means.

Preserve existing affordable housing (HB 5030)

Across Oregon, we need to maintain safe, stable, and affordable homes. In 2019, the Legislature should commit $100 million in Lottery Bonds. This awaits action by the Joint Committee on Ways & Means

Foreclosure Counseling (SB 820)

Foreclosure continues to impact Oregon communities and homeowners. SB 820 allocates $1.24 million to provide foreclosure counseling for 2019-21. It now awaits action in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

An additional Housing Alliance priority awaits action by the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures.

Property Tax Exemption Sunset Renewal (SB 737)

Local option property tax exemptions support building and maintaining affordable housing. It now awaits action in the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures.