In a unified effort to address Portland's housing shortage, Governor Tina Kotek has partnered with Mayor Keith Wilson to launch the Multifamily Housing Development Workgroup. This initiative aims to streamline the progression of multifamily housing projects within Oregon's largest city. As reported by the Governor's Office, the collaboration stems from a shared recognition of the housing cost burdens faced by many Oregonians and the potential for increased housing stock to alleviate the state's pressing homelessness crisis.
"Too many Oregonians are worried about making ends meet, and the cost of housing is front and center," Governor Kotek said, "We must cut the bureaucratic backlog, build more housing, and lower the cost of living", Mayor Wilson expressed his gratitude for joining forces with the Governor and other stakeholders on this pressing matter highlighting the essence of multifamily housing to the well-being and expansion of the city. The formation of the workgroup represents an effort to identify and dismantle the impediments to construction feasibly, which includes not only city council members and various housing authorities but also key figures from private sector development and construction companies.
The workgroup's inception is part of the Governor's strategic actions to reform housing affordability in Oregon, which includes legislation to normalize middle housing (HB 2138) and the establishment of the Governor’s Housing Infrastructure Production Fund (HB 3031) to propel housing supplies across the state. Echoing the Governor's priority, the Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO), coupled with a moderate-income revolving loan fund, has already been implemented, showcasing the State's commitment towards a balanced housing market.
Since Governor Kotek's first day in office, she has been zeroing on creating an equitable housing market as evidenced by HAPO's establishment and a funded plan for infrastructure that supports thousands of affordable housing units as the state anticipates that by July, a financing plan for nearly 2,800 affordable units will have been set, over the next two years the much-needed infrastructure will support the construction of over 25,000 housing units, affordable and market rate alike. According to reports, this intensive push signifies the seriousness of the government's resolve to ensure that Oregon's housing issues are met with the urgency they deserve.
