By Eric Tegesoff, Oregon News Service
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Legislature passed a major housing package during this year’s legislative session, but said more efforts are needed to alleviate the state’s housing crisis.
The bills passed during the short legislative session would send a total of $376 million to address the state’s housing shortage, including Senate Bill 1530 and Senate Bill 1537, a priority of Gov. Tina Kotek. Become.
Shannon Vilhauer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Oregon, said the governor’s housing policy is groundbreaking.
“Significant investments are also expected in emergency housing assistance, addiction recovery support, and tenant protections,” Vilhauer noted. “These are all investments that will help stabilize Oregonians who need housing assistance and benefit the communities we all share.”
The housing package includes funding for housing and anti-homelessness projects, as well as funding for counties to assist with land purchases and real estate development.
But Vilhauer insisted there is still more to be done to address the crisis. In the next legislative session, he hopes the state will help first-time homebuyers and other investors.
“Preserving affordable rental housing that currently exists but is at risk of ending at affordable and market rate,” Vilhauer explained. “We look forward to strong progress in affordable housing preservation investments.”
Vilhauer acknowledged that Oregon’s housing problem cannot be solved quickly. It’s a problem that has been solved for decades.
“Continuing to make progress will require a concerted effort over time,” Vilhauer stressed. “We are starting to get there, but we need to continue our efforts.”
