In early returns Tuesday, Oregon voters appeared on the way to approving a constitutional amendment advocates say helps address the state's housing crisis.
Measure 102 would amend the Oregon Constitution and make it easier for cities and counties to use their power to borrow money for affordable housing construction.
As first results came in Tuesday, 56 percent voters favored the measure passing, while 43 percent opposed it.
Under current state law, local governments must retain full ownership of housing projects built with government bond money.
The constitutional change in Measure 102 would broaden what’s allowed. It would enable cities and counties to use bond revenue for projects in which nonprofit groups and private developers have a stake. It would also ease the process for obtaining federal tax credits for housing.
Housing advocates say Measure 102 would result in more housing built quicker.
State legislators voted to put Measure 102 on the ballot, and it had largely bipartisan support — both Democratic Gov. Kate Brown and her Republican challenger, state Rep. Knute Buehler, supported it.
