HB 3503
Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to disburse moneys to Community LendingWorks to provide grants to purchase housing in Clackamas County that will be made available through a community land trust as affordable housing to first-time home buyers.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
85%
Oppose
15%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants to Community LendingWorks. These grants will be used to purchase homes in Clackamas County and establish them as affordable housing through a community land trust. The housing will be made available to first-time home buyers who meet specific income requirements, limiting their ability to build equity in the property.
Key provisions
- The Housing and Community Services Department will disburse funds to Community LendingWorks.
- Grants will be used to purchase housing in Clackamas County.
- Housing must be operated as a community land trust.
- The community land trust must maintain housing as affordable for first-time home buyers.
- Home buyer education and counseling will be provided.
- Housing units sold must be subject to affordability restrictions.
- Purchasers must be low-income households as defined by Oregon law.
- The program will be funded with $4,200,000 for the biennium.
Who is affected
- Housing Authority of Clackamas County
- Community LendingWorks
- First-time home buyers in Clackamas County
- Low-income households
- The Housing and Community Services Department
Notable changes
- Establishes a community land trust model for affordable housing.
- Creates a specific funding mechanism for housing acquisition and operation.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsors
Hoa Nguyen
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of House Bill 3503 believe that the legislation will provide stable and affordable housing for families through community land trusts. The proposed approach aims to preserve affordability, promote sustainable housing options, and address the affordable housing crisis in Clackamas County. By transitioning publicly owned homes into affordable homeownership through Community Land Trusts, supporters hope to ensure permanent affordability for working families, create up to 70 new permanently affordable homes, and provide innovative solutions for preserving valuable public housing inventory.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Several ed strong opposition to HB 3503, citing concerns about unequal access to housing. They argued that the bill's provisions would disproportionately affect low-income communities and vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing housing disparities. Additionally, some testifiers questioned the competitive bidding process for non-profit corporations, suggesting that it may lead to unfair advantages for well-connected organizations over smaller, community-based groups. These concerns centered on ensuring equitable access to affordable housing and promoting transparency in the allocation of resources.
Source: Testimony Summaries