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Date ArticleType
3/28/2023 Member News

HBA Testifies in Salem On Key Housing Bills


HBA Government Affairs team testified in Salem last week helping steer several important pieces of legislation that would impact Oregon’s ability to increase housing supply and deliver much needed affordability. Following Oregon Home Builders Association’s leadership and guidance at the state capitol, several important bills are making their way through the typically byzantine legislative process.

SB 1051 (Support) This would allow local governments and land owners to address the state’s housing shortage by expediting the process to bring in Urban Reserve lands for new housing, encouraging both public-private partnership and requiring a certain threshold of long-term affordability. Read HBA’s Testimony.

HB 3414 (Support) This legislation would provide builders with more flexibility in housing production by reducing the ability of local governments to deny land use variances. It also establishes many important accountability tools including the creation of the Housing Accountability and Production Office to assist local governments and builders to improve land use and division processes. Read HBA’s Testimony.

HB 3569 (Support) This bill, also known as the Right to Housing Act, is an important signal that sets in law the fundamental right and importance of housing for all Oregonians. It would reduce a local government’s ability to approve housing developments within a UGB already designated for residentially zoned uses. It would also create a 120-day timeclock for governments to approve needed housing applications. Read HBA’s Testimony.

SB 147 & HB 2069 (Support): These bills would continue the tax exemption process that allows local governments to expand workforce housing by exempting property taxes for affordable housing development. There are also opportunities to streamline local approval conditions that would get affordable housing built quicker.

SB 611 (Oppose): This legislation would hurt housing affordability in our state and make it far more difficult to attract capital for new housing development. Toughening the 2019 Rent Control Law, this bill would reduce the current 15-year rent cap exemption for new construction to 3 years and triple the current fee charged for tenant relocation when an owner opts to sell, convert, or occupy a rental property. It would also lower the rent cap from 7% + inflation to just 3% + inflation with a ceiling of 8%, regardless of market conditions.