February 12, 2009
The Housing Alliance Update & Announcements is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter to keep you up-to-date about everything the Housing Alliance is doing to win in 2009 — and how you can get involved!
We need your help to pass HB2436 - The Housing Opportunities Bill that modestly increases the document recording fee to support affordable housing. Here's the status of the bill and how you can help.
STATUS
The Housing Opportunities Bill has successfully moved through the House Revenue Committee, the Ways & Means Transportation & Economic Development Sub-Committee and the Full Ways & Means Committee.
We expect a House vote on Tuesday, February 17th and need your help. The bill has some opposition, so we need every vote we can get to win.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Contact your Representatives & Senators, remind them to support HB2436.
You can find their contact information at:
Senators: http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate
Representatives: http://www.leg.state.or.us/house
When you call...
1. Talk briefly about the need for affordable housing in your community.
2. Remind them that HB2436's modest increase in the state imposed document recording fee will dramatically increase Oregonians' access to homes they can afford.
3. Remind them why we all care about affordable housing:
- Hardworking people should be able to afford housing and still have enough money for food and other basic necessities.
- Children deserve an opportunity to succeed in school and life, which is tied to having a stable home.
- Housing gives people an opportunity to build better lives. To succeed you need a place to call home.
- It's only fair that everyone has a safe, decent place to live.
4. Ask your Senator or Representative to support HB2436: The Housing Opportunities Bill.
5. Please report back any contact you have.
LOBBY DAY REMINDER
Mark your calendars for Lobby Day on Friday, March 13th. Join us in Salem to meet with your legislators and gather support for our agenda. Detailed information is coming soon.
OTHER HOUSING BILLS ON THE FAST TRACK
Several Housing and Community Services bills that address technical issues are also moving rapidly through the process.
SB199 - to expand the cap on The Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit, (see the full text) will have a first hearing in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee on Wednesday, February 18th.
Thank you for what you've done so far.
Let's keep up the momentum!
For more information about joining the Housing Alliance please visit our website at http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org/joinus.html.
Want more information on the Housing Alliance? Go to http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org.
For a full archive of Housing Alliance Weekly Updates, go to http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org/updates_archive.html
For information on the 2007 legislative session, click here.
For information on the 2005 Legislative Session, click here.
Please email or call us with questions or ideas for how we can best keep you informed. Contact Janet Byrd or Michael Anderson.
