Latest news with #OregonHousingandCommunityServices
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon sees a rise in eviction filings, but rent assistance programs are working
Worker Mike Friley removes a table during an eviction in the unincorporated community of Galloway on March 3, 2021 west of Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by) Oregon saw a record number of eviction filings in 2024, with most cases related to a tenant struggling to afford rent. There were nearly 27,300 evictions filed in 2024, and middle class families that previously were not considered rent-burdened are increasingly at risk of eviction, Sybil Hebb, the Oregon Law Center director of legislative and policy advocacy, told the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on Wednesday. Oregon's rise in eviction filings is largely driven by high demand for housing and stagnant wages. As the housing crisis continues, housing advocates are urging lawmakers to maintain funding for rent assistance and legal aid programs, which they say are critical to keeping Oregonians housed. Gov. Tina Kotek, who declared a homelessness emergency on her first full day in office, has consistently prioritized solving the housing crisis. In her budget proposal in December, Kotek recommended the state allocate $173.2 million to maintain eviction prevention services to prevent Oregonians from becoming homeless in the first place. Oregon has the sixth most expensive housing cost index in the nation, according to Oregon Housing and Community Services. And one in four Oregon households spend more than 50% of their income on rent, leaving many renters vulnerable — particularly families with children and Black women — to eviction should they face unexpected emergencies, such as illness or a family crisis. 'The presence of a child in a home is the single greatest risk factor for eviction,' Hebb said. Oregon Gov. Kotek's $39.3 billion proposed budget has more for housing, homelessness, schools The average monthly eviction filings in 2024 was nearly 2,300. That number has risen to a monthly average of almost 2,400 eviction filings so far in 2025. 'I think that's a direct relationship to the cost burden that is increasing for folks,' Hebb said. While eviction filings have increased, not all evictions are carried out. Housing advocates say eviction cases are getting dismissed more often as people have more access to rental and legal assistance. In February, Hebb said tenants who could not afford their rent kept their housing in 91% of cases with help from a lawyer, in comparison to 51% of cases where tenants did not have legal representation. Kemp Shuey, executive director for Community Action in Washington County, urged lawmakers to support House Bill 5011, a budget bill for the Housing and Community Services Department that would allocate millions to housing stabilization programs like the ones he provides. Eviction prevention efforts from his organization have kept 91% of the 2,500 households he's served over the last two years housed. 'We know the need for this resource remains high for families in Washington County as the cost of basic needs rise faster than family incomes,' he told the committee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon sees a rise in eviction filings, but rent assistance programs are working
Worker Mike Friley removes a table during an eviction in the unincorporated community of Galloway on March 3, 2021 west of Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by) Oregon saw a record number of eviction filings in 2024, with most cases related to a tenant struggling to afford rent. There were nearly 27,300 evictions filed in 2024, and middle class families that previously were not considered rent-burdened are increasingly at risk of eviction, Sybil Hebb, the Oregon Law Center director of legislative and policy advocacy, told the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on Wednesday. Oregon's rise in eviction filings is largely driven by high demand for housing and stagnant wages. As the housing crisis continues, housing advocates are urging lawmakers to maintain funding for rent assistance and legal aid programs, which they say are critical to keeping Oregonians housed. Gov. Tina Kotek, who declared a homelessness emergency on her first full day in office, has consistently prioritized solving the housing crisis. In her budget proposal in December, Kotek recommended the state allocate $173.2 million to maintain eviction prevention services to prevent Oregonians from becoming homeless in the first place. Oregon has the sixth most expensive housing cost index in the nation, according to Oregon Housing and Community Services. And one in four Oregon households spend more than 50% of their income on rent, leaving many renters vulnerable — particularly families with children and Black women — to eviction should they face unexpected emergencies, such as illness or a family crisis. 'The presence of a child in a home is the single greatest risk factor for eviction,' Hebb said. Oregon Gov. Kotek's $39.3 billion proposed budget has more for housing, homelessness, schools The average monthly eviction filings in 2024 was nearly 2,300. That number has risen to a monthly average of almost 2,400 eviction filings so far in 2025. 'I think that's a direct relationship to the cost burden that is increasing for folks,' Hebb said. While eviction filings have increased, not all evictions are carried out. Housing advocates say eviction cases are getting dismissed more often as people have more access to rental and legal assistance. In February, Hebb said tenants who could not afford their rent kept their housing in 91% of cases with help from a lawyer, in comparison to 51% of cases where tenants did not have legal representation. Kemp Shuey, executive director for Community Action in Washington County, urged lawmakers to support House Bill 5011, a budget bill for the Housing and Community Services Department that would allocate millions to housing stabilization programs like the ones he provides. Eviction prevention efforts from his organization have kept 91% of the 2,500 households he's served over the last two years housed. 'We know the need for this resource remains high for families in Washington County as the cost of basic needs rise faster than family incomes,' he told the committee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Albany, Hood River to see new affordable housing for vets, BIPOC communities
PORTLAND, Ore. () – The Oregon Housing and Community Services agency is helping to bring new affordable housing units to Albany and Hood River, the state agency announced Tuesday. OHCS is helping fund 168 affordable homes, which will offer services for veteran support, education and skills programs along with assistance with the application process for farmworkers. 'We have an opportunity and an obligation to shape housing progress that truly delivers for people,' said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. 'That means supporting city and county leaders, developers, service providers, and others who are working to preserve the uniqueness and diversity of our communities—and tackling our state's most pressing housing challenges with the urgency this issue demands.' DON'T MISS: Governor Kotek launches housing pilot for Oregonians facing mental illness In Albany, the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA is creating the Albany Veterans Apartments with 38 homes, a community space and outdoor plaza along with solar and electric vehicle charging stations. According to OHCS, the community was designed through a veteran-specific and trauma-informed lens, which includes noise reduction strategies, support for companion animals and accessible living spaces. In Hood River, Mariposa Village is bringing 130 housing units online, which comes after the Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation and Community Development Partners started working with the community in 2021 to identify housing needs for communities of color in the Columbia River Gorge. The team will work with Hood River-based nonprofit, Nch-I Wana Housing, to support residents in the leasing process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Governor Kotek launches housing pilot for Oregonians facing mental illness
PORTLAND, Ore. () – Amid Oregon's homelessness crisis, Governor Tina Kotek revealed a new pilot project on Thursday, aiming to bring housing stability for unsheltered Oregonians facing mental illness. Under the Housing 360 pilot, the Oregon Housing and Community Services state agency is awarding $3.4 million in grants to community partners. In a press release, Kotek said the pilot will help the state take an informed and data-driven approach to helping Oregonians facing mental illness transition from unsheltered homelessness into housing stability. Oregon is doling out $11M in unclaimed funds. Here's how to find out if you're owed money 'To help every Oregonian go from living on the street into stable housing, we need to meet them where they are,' Kotek said. 'We know that mental health challenges can stand in the way of people getting the care and housing they need. These projects will help us save lives now and make sure we get the details right into the future.' The funding includes a $900,000 grant to Benton County to match people in need of housing with available homes while connecting them with behavioral health services. 'We are building capacity among our housing and support service partners for people experiencing homelessness, with the goal of creating a system that is 'ready to house.' Our strategy includes housing focused outreach and case management that meets people where they are at and follows them throughout their entire journey towards long-term housing stability,' Rebecca Taylor with Benton County said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now An $800,000 grant to Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action in Marion County will help people exiting institutional or carceral facilities, who were homeless before entering the facilities, by providing case management, medical and mental health care along with help finding stable housing. Washington County will receive a $700,000 grant to connect people to housing services by embedding housing system navigators in behavioral health programs, while the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council in Wasco County will receive $1 million to help tribal communities disparately impacted by homelessness in the region. 'No matter who you are, what you have, or where you live, everyone deserves access to the housing and services they need,' OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell said. 'We also can't ignore the serious health consequences of homelessness. This partnership puts people first. Housing 360 is rooted in community and commitment, helping local partners deliver life-saving interventions and better outcomes.' The pilot program comes after Kotek signed Senate Bill 5701 in 2024, which gave $39 million to OHCS for the Oregon Rehousing Initiative to move people from homelessness to permanent and stable housing, the governor's office noted, adding, Housing 360 is funded through the Oregon Rehousing Initiative. Since Gov. Kotek declared a homelessness state of emergency in March 2023, the state estimates that 3,300 unsheltered households will be rehoused by July. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
