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 2007 - and how you can get involved!



Update on SB 38

To quote Mark Twain, "news of our death is greatly exaggerated."

We have hit some snags with Senate Bill 38, but we are encouraged by the level of commitment by legislative leaders in both chambers and from both parties who are determined to begin to adequately fund housing needs in Oregon. We remain in the Ways and Means co-chairs budgets and on everyone's radar. And, we've got plenty of time to get this done.

We will let you know as soon as a final strategy is determined, but in the meantime, HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY:  

Please send an e-mail to your Senator and Representative to remind them that:

• Housing provides people the opportunity to build better lives.
• Give an example of the pressing housing needs in your community.
• Remind them that we need a dedicated funding source in order to adequately meet the many housing needs in the community.
• Ask them to do all that they can to support housing in the budget.

Follow Up on the Ways & Means Hearings - Action Still Needed!

The Ways and Means committee hearings are over, but there is still an opportunity to let the Committee Co-Chairs know what you think! Whether you went to a hearing but didn't get to testify or you couldn't make it, please take a few minutes to email your support for the $100 million agenda to the committee chairs and staff.  

The committee staff would like testimony to be faxed for the record: 503 373-7807. Please also email a copy of your testimony to Senator Schrader and Representative Nolan as well as any member of the committee from your services area and your personal legislators. Committee member emails are below.

Housing was underrepresented at the hearings, we need to make sure they remember how important it is to keep the $100 million in the budget!  

When you send your testimony, please include the following in your message:

1) Let them know that your organization or you are a supporter of the Housing Alliance.

2) Thank the committee for recognizing that housing costs are out of reach and that it is time for Oregon to invest in housing for hardworking families and our neighbors on fixed incomes.

3) Outline the need for affordable housing in your area again.

4) Ask them to keep the funding in the budget ($50 million total from General Funds, Lottery funds and Public Purpose Charges).

5) Include the messages we've practiced.
 
Click on name to email Committee Members:
Senator Kurt Schrader, Co-Chair
Representative Mary Nolan, Co-Chair
Sen. Margaret Carter, Vice-Chair
Rep. Nancy Nathanson, Vice-Chair
Sen. Alan C Bates
Sen. Richard Devlin
Sen. Avel Gordly
Sen. Betsy Johnson
Sen. Frank Morse
Sen. David Nelson
Sen. Joanne Verger
Sen. Ben Westlund
Sen. Doug Whitsett
Sen. Jackie Winters
Rep. David Edwards
Rep. Larry Galizio
Rep. Bill Garrard
Rep. Bruce L Hanna
Rep. Bob Jenson
Rep. Susan Morgan
Rep. Chip Shields

Condo Conversion

We have a hearing and possible work session on HB 3186 this Friday, April 20th at 1 p.m. in Hearing Room E.  Please come if you can and testify in support of our condo conversion bill!

Thanks to Ian Slingerland of Community Alliance of Tenants for really stepping up to work this issue. If you can testify on Friday, please contact Amy.

Inclusionary Zoning

Our Inclusionary Zoning bill (HB 3285) had its first hearing on Friday, the 13th in Salem.   Despite the ominous date we had good turnout for the hearing. Thanks to the City of Ashland, the City of Portland, Oregon Action, 1000 Friends of Oregon and the Neighborhood Partnership Fund for testifying!

We have also begun a small workgroup with some industry representatives to discuss a possible pilot project. 1000 Friends, the Jackson County Housing Coalition, City of Ashland, and NPF are participating so far. Please contact Amy if you'd like more information.

Affordability Covenants

HB 3485, our bill on affordability covenants also had a hearing last Friday.  Once a few technical amendments come back from Legislative Counsel we can expect a work session.

OAHTC

SB 984 had its first hearing and has moved to Senate Finance and Revenue. We expect a hearing soon.

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 2005 Legislative Session, click here.

Please email or call us with questions or ideas for how we can best keep you informed. Contact Amy Fauver or Michael Anderson.