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Committee hears bill to expand predevelopment loans to unlock faith‑owned land for affordable housing
Summary
Lawmakers and housing advocates told the Senate Committee on Housing and Development that small tweaks to an existing Oregon predevelopment loan program (House Bill 29 64 a) would allow churches and small nonprofits to pay feasibility costs and convert surplus land into affordable housing.
House Committee on Housing and Development Chair Pham opened a public hearing on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, on House Bill 29 64 a, a measure introduced by Representative Mark Gamboa that would expand an existing Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) predevelopment loan program to more entities, including faith congregations and limited‑equity cooperatives.
The bill would allow OHCS additional flexibility to use a small pool of predevelopment funds that currently has no applicants, permit nonprofit developers to partner with faith organizations when applying for predevelopment loans, and make limited‑equity cooperatives an eligible use of the funds. Representative Mark Gamboa, state representative for House District 41, told the committee the bill’s “ultimate goal … is to allow us to access thousands of acres of land all across the state” that are in or near neighborhoods and suited for affordable housing.
Advocates said predevelopment financing…
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