Every Oregonian should have safe, decent housing that they can afford, and the need is greater than ever. We can help make this opportunity possible in 2016 with policies that keep families stably housed and resources to create new housing units to meet demand.
Housing opportunity is emerging as a top legislative priority for 2016 and beyond. House Speaker Tina Kotek has repeatedly identified affordable housing as critical for Oregon’s future, stating that “the legislature must tackle the statewide housing crisis and continue supporting Oregonians who were harmed by the recession and left behind by the recovery.” We’ve been working with Housing Alliance members and legislators and consensus is building that the coalition adopts the following priorities for the 2016 session:
Protect renters by:
- Requiring landlords give tenants 90 days’ notice before rent increases
- Limiting evictions of tenants of over a year for good cause only
Produce more affordable housing by:
- Fully funding the Local Innovations and Fast Track program to develop affordable housing
- Allowing local governments to implement inclusionary zoning, a policy that requires that new developments include affordable units
Preserve existing affordable housing by:
- Funding existing affordable units so they remain affordable
- Providing foreclosure counseling to homeowners
Prevent and end homelessness by funding Emergency Housing Assistance and the State Homeless Assistance Program
A final vote of Housing Alliance members will be taken in early January, and the legislative session begins on February 1. Learn what you can do to help by signing up for our emails here: https://www.oregonhousingalliance.org/join-us/
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