LOC News
Support HB 5011- Funding for Affordable Housing and Services
LOC member cities are encouraged to submit testimony in support of HB 5011, the Oregon Housing and Community Services budget bill, which includes major investments for homeless assistance and shelter, affordable housing development and preservation, permanent supportive housing, and affordable homeownership programs.
HB 5011 will be scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, March 29. The LOC will share a link next week to submit letters in support.
Cities large and small were facing escalating rates of homelessness well before the COVID-19 pandemic began and wildfires damaged communities. The resulting loss of homes and continuing economic downturn will only increase the number of Oregonians facing eviction or experiencing homelessness. The LOC, in partnership with the Housing Alliance, will be advocating to increase state General Fund programs like the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) program and State Homeless Assistance Program (SHAP) from $40 million to $50 million per biennium. Investments are also needed to fund long term rent assistance for youth, energy assistance, and individual development accounts.
Meanwhile, Oregon’s lack of available housing, high rents and high home prices continue to cause housing instability and challenge communities’ ability to thrive. The LOC is supporting the agency’s requested budget to provide $250 million in state bonding and $15 million general funds for affordable housing development, including the LIFT affordable housing development program, affordable housing preservation, and permanent supportive housing – a key strategy for ending chronic homelessness that reduces downstream costs to public systems like public safety, emergency health care and corrections.
Finally, the LOC supports funding to increase Oregonian’s access to affordable homeownership, including $28 million in resources to provide down payment assistance, develop new affordable homeownership, address racial disparities in homeownership, and funding for the state manufactured housing program.
Contact: Ariel Nelson, Lobbyist – anelson@orcities.org
Last Updated 3/19/21