News

ARTICLE
Date ArticleType
5/6/2020 Member News

HBA Works with Gresham on Economic Recovery Plan


The City of Gresham, in conjunction with HBA, Oregon Home Builders Association, and other regional stakeholders, is developing an economic recovery framework document in response to Covid-19 impacts. The framework is designed to provide decision makers with tools to get the economy humming along once the existing pandemic guidelines ease. While Gresham’s initial focus is on how to accomplish this in East Multnomah County, the framework is scalabile, in order to serve the entire Portland region and the state.

Importantly, the framework includes HBA-supported proposals in several categories including development, construction, and real estate. For example, it includes our recommendation to defer system development charges collection closer to home sale, when the impact associated with the charges actually occurs. HBA will continue to champion other proposals including utilizing the Metro housing bond dollars to provide affordable housing as quickly as possible, exploring a limited tax exemption home ownership program, allowing special inspectors to aid in onsite construction review, and enacting extensions on land use approvals. As Gresham and the region emerge from the economic crisis, it is crucial that developers and builders have the flexibility to work through the associated impacts, keeping suppliers and subcontractors employed. For more information on HBA involvement in Gresham, contact Roseann Johnson at roseannj@hbapdx.org.