HB 4037
Adjusts certain terms of the revolving loan program for cities and counties to fund affordable housing projects.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2026 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness for Representative Pam Marsh)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
53%
Oppose
47%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill modifies Oregon’s revolving loan program to support the development of affordable housing projects in cities and counties. It allows the state to adjust grant terms for the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing, limits building permit reviews for smaller housing projects, and establishes a streamlined process for local governments to approve housing developments based on clear standards. The bill also addresses land use regulations, particularly regarding commercial land conversions and urban reserves, aiming to increase housing availability while considering potential environmental and infrastructure constraints.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 4037 argue that the bill addresses the persistent housing shortage in rural Oregon by streamlining permitting processes, reducing ambiguity and delays, and providing tools for accountability. The proposed amendments aim to promote housing production while protecting both applicants and communities. Key provisions, including detailed notice requirements and flexibility in approving applications, are expected to reduce bureaucratic barriers and increase the supply of affordable housing options. Supporters also emphasize the importance of incentivizing middle-income housing production in Portland through grant funding and preserving existing housing supply as essential goals for addressing Oregon's housing shortage.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the bill express concerns about reduced local control, increased safety risks, and decreased transparency in land use planning. They argue that provisions such as eliminating local plan review for certain home designs and reducing public engagement would compromise the ability of smaller jurisdictions to address unique community needs. Additionally, critics contend that the legislation would impose new mandates, override local zoning and planning preferences, and lead to costly compliance and litigation. Many also believe that the bill's removal of public hearings for certain land use applications and inconsistent noticing practices would disproportionately affect marginalized groups and undermine Oregon's pioneering land use system.
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