Policy Wins - Housing Oregon

Policy work is collaborative, and Housing Oregon works with many partners throughout the year to affect change on the local and state levels. A hearty Thank You! to all who came to testify at committee hearings, called their legislators and otherwise helped to move our agenda forward.

Policy work is collaborative, and Housing Oregon works with many partners throughout the year to affect change on the local and state levels. A hearty Thank You! to all who came to testify at committee hearings, called their legislators and otherwise helped to move our agenda forward.

Here’s what those efforts accomplished in 2023 and 2024

Expanding Home Ownership

Secured $7.5 million for down payment assistance tied to OHCS lending products, expanding opportunities for first-time homebuyers and low-income households.
Allocated $2.5 million to decommission older, unsafe manufactured homes and replace them with energy-efficient, modern homes, improving health and safety.
Secured $7.5 million to support a new low-income mortgage product administered by the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH).
Provided $2.5 million for foreclosure avoidance counseling, ensuring more homeowners can stay in their homes.
Supported the passage of HB 3151, extending the Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee and expanding legal aid for tenants of manufactured home parks.
In the 2024 legislative session, Housing Oregon supported significant investments in expanding homeownership opportunities. Highlights include:
$5 million for the Individual Development Account (IDA) Initiative, administered by Seeding Justice, to provide grants to community organizations assisting low- to moderate-income Oregonians in achieving homeownership.
Article XI-Q Bonds were adjusted to better support the LIFT Homeownership program, ensuring that the $600 million allocated in 2023 for LIFT Homeownership, LIFT Rental, and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) aligns with the state’s housing goals and industry capacity.
These investments are critical in reducing the wealth gap for communities of color and making homeownership more accessible for all Oregonians.

Advancing Affordable Housing Development

Secured $600 million for new affordable homes through the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Rental, Homeownership, and Permanent Supportive Housing programs.
Allocated $5 million in LIFT Homeownership funds to support rural communities and address housing density issues in urban areas.
Secured $50 million for the preservation of manufactured home parks and existing affordable housing, preventing rent increases and displacement.
Created the first-ever OHCS Pre-Development Fund with $9.7 million, specifically for culturally specific organizations to support affordable housing developments.
Established a $4 million Permanent Supportive Housing Risk Mitigation Fund to stabilize operating costs and support long-term operations.
Secured $20 million for modular housing production, expanding the capacity of Oregon’s affordable housing sector.
Secured $10 million for farmworker housing, ensuring safe, affordable housing for agricultural workers.
Created the Affordable Housing Loan Guarantee Fund with $20 million, supporting construction financing for affordable and moderate-income housing.
Supported the passage of HB 2071, creating a tax credit for the preservation of publicly supported affordable housing.
The 2024 session included crucial policy shifts and funding to further affordable housing development statewide. Major investments include:
$75.8 million allocated to OHCS for affordable housing development, ensuring projects are funded and on track to meet the state's needs.
$475,808 for ongoing technical assistance for providers participating in Oregon’s Emergency Homelessness Response.
Adjustments to the LIFT Rental and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs to maximize the production of affordable housing with the existing $600 million in bond funding allocated in 2023.
Additionally, Senate Bill 1529 allows OHCS to set maximum reimbursement rates for the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program via rulemaking, improving the stability of affordable housing operations.

Homelessness and Emergency Response

Secured $85.2 million to add 600 shelter beds, hire housing navigators, and rehouse at least 1,200 households through culturally specific agencies.
Secured $33.6 million for rent assistance and eviction prevention, preventing 8,750 households from becoming homeless statewide.
Supported innovative initiatives like block leasing and rapid rehousing for people transitioning out of homelessness.
Expanded the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program to landlords participating in emergency rehousing efforts.
Secured $24.1 million to maintain shelter operations in navigation centers, shelters, and Project Turnkey sites across the state
Oregon made significant strides in addressing homelessness through targeted investments and programs during the 2024 legislative session. Key investments include:
$65 million for shelter operations and housing-focused services, ensuring ongoing support for those experiencing homelessness.
$34 million in homelessness prevention resources, with a 30% set-aside for culturally responsive organizations, providing critical funding to community-based partners.
$7 million to the Urban League of Portland for additional homelessness prevention efforts.
$39 million to continue rehousing efforts statewide as part of Oregon’s ongoing Emergency Homelessness Response.
These funds provide a lifeline to individuals and families at risk of homelessness, with a focus on culturally responsive services and long-term rehousing solutions.

Maintaining Community Resources

Secured $6 million for the Community Alliance of Tenants, Springfield Eugene Tenant Association, and the Oregon Law Center's Eviction Defense Project.
Maintained Project Turnkey by securing state funding to preserve this vital resource for unsheltered populations.
Supported SB 606, which directs the state to analyze nonprofit compensation for those administering state programs, ensuring fair compensation and sustainable program administration.
Secured additional funding to expand language access within OHCS programs and ensure disaster survivors, including those without documentation, can access assistance through HB 3462.
Maintaining community resources is vital to ensuring stability for residents and preserving affordable housing. The 2024 session supported these goals through various investments:
$1 million to support tenant education and resources in cases of expiring affordability or manufactured home park sales, ensuring vulnerable populations are protected.
$13 million allocated through Senate Bill 1537 to create the Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO) and the Housing Infrastructure Support Fund, which will provide grants for infrastructure planning and reduce barriers in permitting processes.
$88 million in housing-related infrastructure funding for local communities across Oregon, supporting long-term housing development.

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