With a key deadline passing this Legislative session we have a better view of what housing issues are gaining traction. Speaker Kotek’s priorities around rent control and the expansion of affordable housing continue, though the Senate poses different challenges than the House. The majority of issues AOC has weighed in on remain alive, with the exception of House Bill (HB) 3299, which targeted dark/zombie homes. Below is a list of issues that were worked by the deadline.
Senate Bill (SB) 277-A: Increases notice period for termination of rental agreement and removal of manufactured dwelling or floating home from 30 to 60 days. Requires landlord’s notice to include specific disrepair or deterioration that is cause for termination and specific repairs required to cure. Permits landlord to terminate tenancy after notice for dwellings creating imminent risk of serious harm. Requires landlord to notify prospective purchaser of manufactured dwelling of maintenance issues and potential liability for repairs. Latest action: First reading in House; passed out of Senate 29-0. AOC does not have a position on the bill.
House Bill (HB) 2007-A: Requires a city or county to take final action on application to develop multifamily residential building (application) with at least 50 percent of units sold or rented as affordable housing within 100 days after completion. Prohibits a city or county from denying an application if it complies with clear and objective standards outlined within the city or county comprehensive plan or zoning ordinances. Clarifies the definition of needed housing to include affordable housing to low- and moderate-income households on land zoned for residential use or mixed residential and commercial use. Prohibits a local government from discouraging need housing through neighborhood designation as national historic district or reducing the density of an application unless necessary for health, safety or habitability issue. Allows the development of a duplex or accessory dwelling unit on area zoned for single-family dwellings located within the urban growth boundary. Allows religious organizations to provide affordable housing to households with incomes equal to or less than 60 percent of the median family income for the county. Applies to applications dated on or after the effective date. Latest action: Referred to Ways & Means with a do-pass recommendation. AOC does not have a position on the bill, but is working with the Speaker to reduce the fiscal impact to counties.
HB 2008-A: Requires landlord of manufactured dwelling park to pay tenant necessary relocation costs or applicable manufactured dwelling park closure penalty, as determined by Office of Manufactured Dwelling Park Community Relations, upon closure of park to convert to other use. Latest action: Passed out of committee 7-2. AOC does not have a position on this bill.
HB 2377-A: The bill creates a new property tax exemption for multi-unit rental housing that has been newly constructed or rehabilitated. Cities or counties must initially opt into the exemption and also obtain approval of other taxing districts that combine with the city or county’s taxes to make up at least 51 percent of the overall tax rate authority on the property. Application forms and procedures for city/county approval and rejection of applications, and the receiving and approving or denying of such applications is the responsibility of the initiating city or county, but they may charge a filing fee. The exemption duration may be up to 10 years, with fewer years dependent on the percentage of units rented at affordable rates in relation to area median income. Latest action: Referred to Revenue with a do-pass recommendation. AOC supports this bill.
HB 2996-A: Designates Act as Oregon First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account Act. Permits individual to create first-time home buyer savings account with financial institution to pay or reimburse qualified beneficiary’s eligible costs for first-time purchase of single family residence. The A-Engrossed version of the bill includes a tiered tax deduction based on annual income. Latest action: Referred to Revenue with a do-pass recommendation. AOC supports this bill.
HB 3155-A: Establishes Task Force on Use of Surplus Public Lands for Housing to study the sale and use of public lands to address housing shortages. Permits task force to consult with experts, hear testimony from affected persons and collect data. Requires Task Force to submit report by December 31, 2017. Repeals Task Force on December 31, 2018. Latest action: Referred to Ways & Means with a do-pass recommendation. This was an AOC requested bill.
HB 3299: Imposes on owner of foreclosed residential real property liability to local government of $10 for each day that property remains unsold and vacant during period that begins 270 days after date of trustee’s sale or judgment of foreclosure, unless owner demonstrates that property remains unsold and vacant because owner is renovating or substantially remodeling property. Latest action: Public hearing on 4/10/17. Bill is “dead.” AOC supported this bill.
HB 3331: Requires the Office of Manufactured Dwelling Park Community Relations to establish and administer a landlord-tenant dispute resolution program. Makes dispute resolution program available to manufactured dwelling park tenants if the tenant receives a rent increase notice of more than one percent above the specified Consumer Price Index and a majority of tenants agree to dispute the increase. Specifies processes for initiation, mediation and resolution of dispute resolution program. Latest action: Referred to Rules with a do-pass recommendation, by a 5-4 vote. AOC does not have a position on this bill.
Contributed by: Stacy Michaelson | AOC Health & Human Services Policy Manager