Ballot measures over contentious topics such as immigration, tax policy and abortion are garnering the attention this fall, but Oregon voters also will consider a statewide measure advocates say helps address the housing crisis.
Related: In New Approach, Metro Leaders Ask Voters For $652 Million Housing Bond
Measure 102 would amend the state Constitution and make it easier for cities and counties to use their power to borrow money for affordable housing construction.
RELATED: Live Oregon and Washington 2018 midterm election results.
Right now, state law essentially requires local governments to retain full ownership of housing projects paid for with revenue from government bonds.
The change would allow governments to use bond revenue to build projects they don’t fully own, easing the process to partner with nonprofit groups and private developers and to use federal tax credits.
Housing advocates say this would result in more quickly built housing. As an example, they point to Measure 26-199, a $652.8 million housing bond the Metro regional government has asked Portland-area voters to approve.
If Measure 102 passes, the bond measure could create as many as 4,000 affordable units. Under current state law, it would build about 2,400.
State legislators voted to put Measure 102 on the ballot. It has largely bipartisan support; the two major candidates for governor — Democratic Gov. Kate Brown and Republican state Rep. Knute Buehler — have said they're for it.
OPB Election Coverage 2018
Live Results
General
- Oregon Governor Candidates Make Final Plea — Aimed At White Suburban Women
- Poll Shows Brown Holds Slight Lead In Oregon Governor's Race
- What Phil Knight's Enormous Donations Mean In Oregon Governor's Race
- Some Oregon County Ballot Measures Give Sweeping Authority To Sheriffs
Oregon Gubernatorial Candidates
- Profiles: Kate Brown | Knute Buehler | Patrick Starnes
- On The Issues: Climate Change | Death Penalty | Education | Immigration | Health Care | Housing | PERS
Oregon Ballot Measures
- Measure 102: Constitutional Amendment On Affordable Housing
- Measure 103: The Grocery Tax Ban
- Measure 104: The Supermajority Tax Requirement
- Measure 105: The Sanctuary State Measure
- Measure 106: The Abortion Measure
Portland Metro Ballot Measures
Portland City Council Race
- On The Record: Jo Ann Hardesty | Loretta Smith
- Profiles In Leadership: Jo Ann Hardesty | Loretta Smith
- Portland City Council Candidates Issues Q&A
Central Oregon
- Sanctuary Cities For Gun Rights? Oregon Militias Try New Political Tactic
- Democrats Step Up To Challenge For Greg Walden's Seat
- The Twists And Turns In The Race To Replace Bend Rep. Knute Buehler
Washington
- In Carolyn Long, Jaime Herrera Beutler Faces Her Biggest Challenge Yet
- Even In Washington, Gun Control Debates Are Emotional And Intense
- A Grieving Grandmother's Quest To Change Washington's Gun Laws
