Subcommittee hears broad support for HB 5011 shelter, eviction-prevention and preservation funding

Salem —7 March 27 —7 The Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 5011 on March 27, hearing more than 40 oral testimonies urging continued and expanded investments in shelters, eviction prevention, youth emergency housing and preservation of existing affordable homes.

The hearing drew mayors, housing providers, community action agencies, legal services groups and faith-based organizations who described shelter operations, rental-assistance programs and preservation needs that they said require steady state funding. Chair Dan Gomberg opened the record and said 42 people were registered to testify and that testimony would be limited to two minutes per speaker.

Why this matters: Supporters told the subcommittee that cuts to the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) budget would reduce shelter capacity, shrink eviction-prevention programs and imperil older affordable buildings. Witnesses gave examples of people who moved from streets into services funded by current OHCS programs and urged lawmakers to maintain or augment the governor's recommended investments.

Portland Mayor Wilson, who testified early in the hearing, told the committee that "Portlanders and Oregonians agree…