ARTICLE
The Oregon Home Builders Association (OHBA) recently endorsed Measure 102, a legislative referral that will allow local governments to work with non-profits and businesses to build affordable housing with bond funds. Communities across Oregon, especially here in the Portland Metro, are experiencing rapidly rising housing costs and a significant lack of available housing. One tool local governments can utilize to increase their amount of affordable housing is general obligation bonds. Portland passed an affordable housing bond in 2016, and there is a regional housing bond measure on the November election ballot. However, Oregon's constitution currently prohibits bond funds to be used on anything other than government owned and operated projects. Measure 102 will lift the current ban on the ability of local governments to work with nonprofits and businesses to build affordable housing in their community with bond funds. If passed, local governments will be able to work in partnership with those who have the most experience in building, owning, and operating affordable housing to create more housing, more effectively with their bond funds. Measure 102 was referred to the ballot earlier this year by the Oregon Legislature with broad, bipartisan support in both Chambers. OHBA joins a diverse coalition, including the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, Oregon Smart Growth, Westside Economic Alliance, NW Natural, REACH Community Development, Habitat for Humanity of Oregon, and hundreds more in supporting Measure 102. In their support, OHBA said "We are proud to support Measure 102 and the positive impacts it will have on our state and families that live here. Stable families and communities start with accessibility to homes."