Budget Would Provide More Affordable Housing

     Victor Merced

The proposed state budget for Oregon Housing and Community Services programs could mean more affordable housing in Oregon, said Victor Merced, department director.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski is recommending a $2.2 billion budget for the Oregon Housing and Community Services. The budget should allow the department to continue all of its programs for homeless and low-income Oregonians, Merced said.
The recommended budget adds $16 million to support the development of 150 units of housing that will provide services to Oregon's homeless population and lead to their self-sufficiency.
To address the problem of hunger in Oregon, the budget adds $1.5 million to increase the capacity of the Oregon Food Bank Network to deliver emergency food assistance to those in need and break down barriers to ensure more food can be distributed statewide.
The recommended budget also includes support for preserving Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 projects.  The budget invests $8.1 million to subsidize housing costs so that low-income individuals pay no more then 30 percent of their income on housing.