The state of Oregon, like many others across the United States, has been grappling with a shortage of affordable housing for several years. The crisis has brought housing and development to the forefront of the political agenda. In response to this urgent issue, Governor Tina Kotek has set forth goals aimed at addressing housing affordability.
Rising numbers of individuals and families are experiencing homelessness across the state. Oregon is short 110,000 homes and has some of the highest rates of homelessness in the country. Major cities, including Portland, Eugene, and Salem, have been hit particularly hard. The lack of affordable housing, coupled with other economic challenges, like inflation, have created housing insecurity for many.
Governor Tina Kotek’s housing goal aims to provide affordable housing for all Oregonians, focusing on both immediate relief and long-term solutions. The ambitious plan seeks to increase housing supply, expand supportive services, and prevent individuals from falling into homelessness in the first place.
The Governor has indicated her intention to apply $1 billion in bonding to build and preserve more affordable housing. This is in addition to many more programs that address lack of shelter beds, and psychiatric services.
“You will see in the budget that the state is taking a bigger role on housing and homelessness, because we have to,” Kotek told reporters recently. “I’m proposing investments to disrupt the harmful and expensive pipeline of Oregonians who move from homelessness to jail or the state hospital.”
The housing supply and affordability problems have been getting worse for many years. Cities across Oregon will greatly benefit from the creation more affordable multifamily rental housing units.
The Foundation for Affordable Housing has been working together with its partners for almost 30 years to address the affordable housing crisis not only in Oregon, but many other states as well.
