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Bill seeks to clarify Housing Stability Council’s advisory role over Emergency Housing Account
Summary
House Bill 3034 would adjust the statutory role of the Housing Stability Council so Oregon Housing and Community Services can make funding determinations for the Emergency Housing Account with counsel confirmation, proponents say the change will speed disbursements while retaining accountability.
The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness heard Feb. 5 testimony on House Bill 3034, a measure from Oregon Housing and Community Services to clarify the agency's and the Housing Stability Council's roles in administering the Emergency Housing Account (EHA).
Liz Weber, director of the Housing Stabilization Division at Oregon Housing and Community Services, told the committee that EHA funds support shelter operations, emergency rent assistance and housing stabilization services for people experiencing homelessness. Weber said the bill would continue the Housing Stability Council’s advisory role but would remove an ambiguous statutory step that in practice had required the council to "develop policy for EHA and allow OHS to release EHA funds when certain grantee requirements are satisfied." In practice, Weber said, OHCS develops policy with counsel advising and counsel affirms that grantees meet statutory requirements; the bill would make the operational role clearer to reduce inefficiencies.
"This technical fix improves role clarity between the Housing Stability Council and OHS and would have the impact of reducing inefficiencies, speed decision making and increased flexibility," Weber said. She added the bill would not change the uses of the Emergency Housing Account or alter current distributions to community partners; it would preserve council oversight in an advisory capacity.
Committee members asked about a referenced 25% allocation for veteran services; Weber said she would follow up with the committee on how that change interacts with current policy but indicated she did not expect it to alter distributions. No additional public testimony was recorded and the committee closed the hearing with no vote.
Why it matters: EHA financing is a tool for emergency shelter and stabilization across Oregon. Clarifying statutory responsibilities between OHCS, counsel and the Housing Stability Council could shorten administrative steps in releasing funds to providers, proponents say, while retaining grantee accountability.
