Housing and Homelessness

Oregon is facing an unprecedented homelessness crisis. It’s evident everywhere you go. And we need Congress to do more to help our unhoused neighbors get off the streets and back on their feet. We need to increase the housing supply, particularly affordable housing. We also need to invest in wraparound supports for the homeless to help them successfully get into permanent affordable housing and provide the tools to find gainful employment. 

I recently called on my colleagues to support strong funding for key federal housing programs, including the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) program, which provides funds to preserve long-term affordability and improvements in infrastructure and energy efficiency, particularly for manufactured housing communities. I also cosponsored the Fair Manufactured Housing Lending Act. Manufactured housing is often a more affordable option for many individuals and families. This legislation would reinstate certain consumer protections for borrowers to make sure that lenders can’t take advantage of low-income homeowners. 

This isn’t a problem we can solve with half measures. We need to make robust investments in housing, as well as addiction treatment centers and mental health services. There is no silver bullet or one-size-fits-all solution. It’s going to take a multi-faceted, whole of government approach with federal, state, and local authorities working together to end this crisis.