Press Release

February 17, 2009

State Representative David Edwards Leads Effort for More Affordable Housing

SALEM—Yesterday, Representative David Edwards (D-Hillsboro) led the effort to pass the Housing Opportunity Act of 2009 in the Oregon State House. The bill provides aid to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities in need of affordable housing.

“Housing gives people an opportunity to build better lives. To succeed, you need a place to call home,” said Rep. Edwards, who carried House Bill 2436-A on the floor. “This bill increases homeownership opportunities statewide.”

The bill increases the recording fee for transactions affecting the title of real estate from $11 to $26. The change will generate at least $15 million for Oregon Housing and Community Service (OHCS) in the next biennium. The majority of funds would be used to build affordable housing.

Oregon’s current economic downturn has made the need for more and better affordable housing more urgent than ever. Oregon is among the 14 states with the highest rates of homelessness in the nation. The homeless population in Oregon is currently estimated at more than 13,000, most of whom are families with children. In Washington County, an estimated 86% of the homeless population falls into that category.

The bill received support from a broad coalition of affordable housing advocates and industry groups, including the Housing Alliance, the Oregon Bankers Association, the Oregon Association of Realtors and the Oregon Homebuilders Association. “Passage of this bill will not only help our most vulnerable citizens secure a safe, affordable place to call home, it will also put people back to work remodeling and building housing across the state,” said Rep. Edwards. The bill now awaits consideration from the Oregon State Senate.

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