Blog

HLA Challenges Metro UGB Expansion in Oregon Court of Appeals

Housing Land Advocates recently submitted its opening brief in the Oregon Court of Appeals challenging the adoption of the urban growth boundary expansion for the Portland Metropolitan Area by Metro and the casual approval of that expansion by Oregon’s Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC). As set forth in the brief, HLA is concerned that local… Continue reading HLA Challenges Metro UGB Expansion in Oregon Court of Appeals

HLA Objects to HUD’s Proposed Disparate Impact Rule

On August 16, 2019, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a proposed rule to amend the agency’s interpretation of the Fair Housing Act’s (FHA) disparate impact standard. HLA joined with with a host of other fair housing and civil rights organizations to oppose the rule. HLA believes that HUD’s proposal would… Continue reading HLA Objects to HUD’s Proposed Disparate Impact Rule

HLA Supports HB 2001

HLA submitted written testimony in support of House Bill 2001, the proposal to require larger Oregon cities to allow “middle housing” (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and cottage clusters) in all residential zones. We support HB 2001 because it aligns with our mission: to ensure that Oregonians of all income levels can obtain adequate and affordable… Continue reading HLA Supports HB 2001

OAPA Presents a FHCO Housing Opportunity and Discrimination Bus Tour

Join the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association (OAPA) and the Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) for a Portland bus tour that highlights historic discrimination and how it relates to challenges we face today. The four-hour guided bus tour will feature sites around Portland. A facilitated lunch discussion will follow the tour, including… Continue reading OAPA Presents a FHCO Housing Opportunity and Discrimination Bus Tour

HLA Objects to Metro UGB Expansion

On January 30, 2019, HLA submitted written testimony to object to Metro’s proposed Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion. HLA believes that it is imperative that Metro recommit to providing present and future urban Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah County residents with greater access to affordable housing. By Metro’s authority within Oregon’s statewide land use system and… Continue reading HLA Objects to Metro UGB Expansion

HLA Collaborates with Home Builders Association of Lane County and Community Advocates in Successful Appeal of Restrictive City of Eugene ADU Ordinances

Recently HLA joined local community, conservation, and business groups in an appeal to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) in a collaborative effort to contest the City of Eugene’s attempt to limit the provision of state-mandated affordable housing.The appeal successfully blocked the City of Eugene’s feigned attempt to implement the statewide accessory dwelling… Continue reading HLA Collaborates with Home Builders Association of Lane County and Community Advocates in Successful Appeal of Restrictive City of Eugene ADU Ordinances

HLA board member Ed Sullivan quoted in Sightline Institute article

HLA board member and co-founder Ed Sullivan was recently interviewed for an article published by the Sightline Institute. The article focuses on the possibility for state-led action to increase housing supply. Check out the article here: Could state-led upzones happen here? 7 lessons from modern Cascadia By Michael Andersen, Sightline Institute

2018 Farmworker Housing Conference

CASA of Oregon and The Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing are hosting the 2018 Farmworker Housing Conference. They have a variety of interesting speakers lined-up to cover a range of topics. Margaret Salazar, current Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services and former Director of the Portland Field Office of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is the featured speaker.

The Challenge of Housing Affordability in Oregon: Facts, Tools, and Outcomes

HLA board member and co-founder Ed Sullivan co-authored a paper recently published in Journal of Affordable Housing. The paper evaluates the causes of the housing crisis in Oregon–and unique tools that the state of Oregon may use to fix it–in the context of national housing law and policy. The paper is available for download here: The Challenge… Continue reading The Challenge of Housing Affordability in Oregon: Facts, Tools, and Outcomes