Experts & Legislators Discuss Statewide Housing Shortage at Oregon Leadership Summit

State Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer discussed housing as a statewide issue while serving as a panelist at the Oregon Leadership Summit on December 4th. She emphasized the state’s responsibility to treat housing as a core responsibility like transportation, education, and health care. Kelly Ritz of Stone Bridge Homes NW explained why a goal of building 30,000 new homes per year is unrealistic, citing a shortage of skilled construction workers, rising system development charges, and processing delays. Keny-Guyer also discussed proposals on the table for this year’s short legislative session, including a proposal to increase the real estate transaction recording fee to $75 in order to raise funds for housing services and production. Read more.