Oregon Governor Kate Brown has announced a new strategy to prioritize ending homelessness for children and veterans, and to increase housing affordability for all Oregonians. Through the publication of a white paper entitled “Housing Policy Agenda: Housing Stability for Children, Veterans and the Chronically Homeless and Increased Housing Supply for Urban and Rural Communities” Governor Brown’s calls for $370 million of state investments, focusing on housing stability for families with children, veterans, the chronically homeless, and rural communities. Over $200 million of these funds would be dedicated for housing development and preservation. The strategy focuses on areas where the impacts of the housing shortage are the most acute, running across Oregon’s entire housing spectrum, including individuals and families experiencing homelessness, affordable housing, and market rate housing.
The Governor’s goal is to continue growing state leadership in efforts to house all Oregonians, including increasing state
investment in affordable housing by tripling the existing pipeline to 25,000 homes by 2023, maintaining a constant
supply of all housing types, and supporting efforts by local governments and the private sector to further overall housing
goals. Governor Brown’s strategies include:
ONE: Prioritize Ending Children’s Homelessness
Ensure no kid shows up to school after spending the night in a car by ending homelessness for families with children, and investing more resources to help vulnerable families stay in their homes.
TWO: House Oregon’s Veterans
End veteran homelessness in Oregon by ensuring veterans have an array of options to find and retain housing that meets their needs.
THREE: Invest in Permanent Supportive Housing for the Chronically Homeless
Move people from street corners and doorways and into homes by investing in proven strategies like permanent supportive housing.
FOUR: Accelerate Growth in Housing Supply
Dramatically increase the number of affordable homes throughout Oregon by supporting the growth of housing supplies.
READ GOVERNOR BROWN’S STRATEGY
