Bill would require Section 504 accessibility for state-subsidized housing and clarify BCD authority

Sen. Deb Patterson presented Senate Bill 1576A as a modest but important step to expand accessible housing in Oregon, arguing there is a critical shortage of units that meet the needs of people with physical disabilities and older adults.

"There’s a critical shortage of accessible housing in Oregon," Patterson told the committee, citing testimony that about 1 in 10 Oregonians has mobility issues while far fewer housing units are wheelchair accessible. The amended bill would require all new state-subsidized housing developments to meet existing accessibility standards under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and clarifies that the Building Codes Division (BCD) may adopt accessibility standards more stringent than federal law if necessary.

Cassie Wilson, legislative manager for 1000 Friends of Oregon and a disabled renter, gave lived-experience testimony: "I pay $1,600 a month for housing that does not meet my needs," and described daily barriers in Type B (adaptable) units that leave tenants with limited access to stoves, counters and bathrooms. Matthew Sears of the Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition and other advocates urged the committee to support the bill as a step toward increasing wheelchair-accessible units in state-subsidized developments. Zach Lindahl of Multifamily Northwest said the amended bill focuses requirements on publicly funded housing, noted implementation concerns, and said his organization would remain neutral on the amended measure while continuing to work on feasibility and demand alignment.

The public hearing closed after these and other testimonies; the committee scheduled follow-up work sessions.