Gov. Kotek Pushes Affordable Housing Bill

SALEM, Ore. – Gov. Tina Kotek is advocating for House Bill 4082, aiming to increase affordable housing for Oregonians aged 55 and older. This bill intends to enhance access to manufactured home communities.

“Too many older Oregonians are one emergency away from losing their housing,” Kotek said. “House Bill 4082 helps cities create affordable homes for seniors and supports lower-cost manufactured home communities so people can age in place with dignity and stability.”

Oregon faces a housing crisis, significantly impacting older and working-class residents. Severe rent burden, where more than 50% of income goes to housing, affects 19.7% of those aged 55 to 64, rising to 35.5% for those 85 and older.

The bill allows cities to expand urban growth boundaries, adding up to 100 acres for age-restricted or manufactured home communities, fostering affordability. Housing must be affordable for those at 120% area median income or below, about $68,000 to $90,000 in most counties.

Jody Lyon of the Manufactured Housing Association supports the bill, emphasizing the affordability and quality of manufactured homes. “Our factories are ready to scale up production to address Oregon’s housing challenges,” Lyon said.

Stephanie J. Hooper, President & CEO of AGE+, also backs the bill, highlighting the need for accessible housing for low-income older adults. “We support HB 4082 because it would intentionally expand the kind of housing stock older Oregonians need to age well in community,” Hooper said.