HB 2006 – Relating to housing; declaring an emergency – 81st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY–2021

Signed into law by Governor Brown on May 12, 2021! From my understanding this legislation “trumps” local zoning for the placement of shelters (read the details). Building codes must still be followed (e.g. structure must be built to allow overnight sleeping).

The Summary from the Legislative Website (read the law itself for the legislation that was actually passed). “Defines ’emergency shelter.’ Requires local governments to allow siting of qualifying emergency shelters by qualifying entities notwithstanding land use laws and regulations. Sunsets requirement July 1, 2022. Expands description of transitional housing accommodations to include motor-vehicle camping. Removes three-vehicle limit on motor-vehicle camping on religious institution property.] Expands motor-vehicle camping that political subdivisions may allow. Expands uses of Emergency Housing Account to include developing technical assistance regarding emergency shelters or transitional housing accommodations. Authorizes Housing and Community Services Department to use Emergency Housing Account to fund grants and technical assistance for organizations to develop or operate low-barrier emergency shelters, develop supportive facilities or provide rapid rehousing services and support. Authorizes Oregon Department of Administrative Services to distribute funds to develop navigation centers that must be operating on or before July 1, 2022. Declares emergency, effective on passage.”

As of May 12, 2021, the “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the legislative process on this item here.

HB 2008 – Relating to affordable housing provided by religious organizations

Signed by Governor Brown on July 14, 2021.

Staff summary as of June 9 “Provides tax exemption for property of religious organization held or used solely to provide affordable housing to low income households, conditional on 60 year affordable housing covenant. Restricts conditions that local governments may place on development of affordable housing provided by religious nonprofit corporations and expands zoning where such housing must be allowed. Prohibits application of automatic six year sunset. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.”

The “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the legislative process on this item here.

HB 2367 – Establishes Oregon Right to Rest Act – 81st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY–2021

As the bill was introduced:

Relating to rights of persons experiencing homelessness.

It is declared to be the public policy of Oregon to guarantee persons experiencing homelessness participation in the social and economic life of this state, remunerative employment, use of and free movement within public spaces, participation in and receipt of the benefits of the services, programs and activities of state government and local governments and housing accommodations of the person’s choice, without discrimination.

As of Jan 11, 2021, the “Introduced” version can be found here. At the end of the legislative session the bill was “In committee upon adjournment.” View the ongoing legislative process on this item here. Click on the “Text” tab to see text of the bill as it moves from the process.

HB 2544 – Authorizes… two-year grants to organizations that provide services to unaccompanied homeless… – 81st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY–2021

As the bill was introduced:

Authorizes Department of Human Services to award two-year grants to organizations that provide services to unaccompanied homeless youth and to organizations that operate host home projects for unaccompanied homeless youth. Sunsets grant programs on July 1, 2023. Requires department to submit reports on host home project grant program to interim committees of Legislative Assembly relating to housing, homeless youth services and high school education. Appropriates moneys to department for statewide assessment and grants. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

The “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the ongoing legislative process on this item here. Click on the “Text” tab to see text of the bill as it moves from the process.

HB 3004 – …additional weights [i.e. homeless students]… to distribute State School Fund moneys – 81st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY–2021

As the bill was introduced:

Provides additional weight for students who are homeless for purposes of calculating distributions of State School Fund moneys to school districts. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2021.

As of Feb 12, 2021, the “Introduced” version can be found here. View the ongoing legislative process on this item here. Click on the “Text” tab to see text of the bill as it moves from the process.

HB 3026 – Relating to identification card fees [for homeless] – 81st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY–2021

Signed by the Governor June 11, 2021. As the bill was introduced:

Directs Department of Transportation to waive fee for issuing, renewing or replacing identification card if person who is issued card is experiencing homelessness. Becomes operative January 1, 2022. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

As of June 25, 2021, the “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the ongoing legislative process on this item here. Click on the “Text” tab to see text of the bill as it moves from the process.

Two bills curbing camping regulation clear Oregon Legislature – June 9, 2021

The bills require local governments to give more notice before clearing encampments and set limits on anti-camping policies.

Local governments throughout Oregon will be required to give at least three days’ notice before clearing homeless camps, under a bill headed to Gov. Kate Brown….

…the state Senate approved the final passage of another bill dealing with unsheltered homelessness: House Bill 3115, which sets state restrictions for how cities can enforce anti-camping laws.

Read the article here.

Oregon could limit bans on homeless camping – February 2, 2021

Cities and counties around Oregon would be unable to enact sweeping laws banning homeless people from camping on public land, under a bill introduced by House Speaker Tina Kotek Tuesday.

Instead, under House Bill 3115, local governments would be required to adopt policies that are “objectively reasonable” in regulating when, where and how people can live outdoors in the midst of a worsening housing crisis. If cities enforced more restrictive measures, impacted homeless people could sue to stop them.

Read the entire article here at Oregon Public Broadcasting.

HB 3115 – Relating to the regulation of public property with respect to persons experiencing homelessness; declaring an emergency – 81st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY–2021

The Governor signed this legislation June 23, 201. As the bill was introduced:

Provides that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. Creates affirmative defense to charge of violating such local law that law is not objectively reasonable. Creates cause of action for person experiencing homelessness to challenge objective reasonableness of such local law. Authorizes court to award attorney fees to prevailing plaintiff in such suit in certain circumstances. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

As of June 25, 2021, the “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the ongoing legislative process on this item here. Click on the “Text” tab to see text of the bill as it moves from the process.

Two bills curbing camping regulation clear Oregon Legislature – June 9, 2021

The bills require local governments to give more notice before clearing encampments and set limits on anti-camping policies.

Local governments throughout Oregon will be required to give at least three days’ notice before clearing homeless camps, under a bill headed to Gov. Kate Brown….

…the state Senate approved the final passage of another bill dealing with unsheltered homelessness: House Bill 3115, which sets state restrictions for how cities can enforce anti-camping laws.

Read the article here.

HB 3124 – Increases time that written notice must be posted before removal of homeless individuals from established camping site – 81st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY–2021

Signed by the Governor June 23, 2021. As the bill was introduced:

Increases time that written notice must be posted before removal of homeless individuals from established camping site. Increases categories of persons to whom unclaimed personal property from camping site may be given. Requires written notice to state how individuals may claim personal property removed from camping site. Requires that unclaimed personal property be stored in orderly fashion. Authorizes donation of unclaimed property to tax exempt charitable corporation. Provides that local law that is more specific or provides greater protections to homeless individuals subject to removal from established camping site preempts contrary provisions of section. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

As of June 25, 2021, the “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the ongoing legislative process on this item here. Click on the “Text” tab to see text of the bill as it moves from the process.

SB 8 – Requires local governments to allow development of certain affordable housing on lands not zoned for residential uses

Signed into law by the Governor June 23, 2021.

Staff summary as of May 25 “Requires local governments to allow, without requiring a zone change or conditional use permit, the development of affordable housing projects on lands inside an urban growth boundary not zoned for residential use, subject to certain zoning, property ownership, and land use requirements. Restricts development on land zoned for industrial use to properties that are publicly owned and adjacent to lands zoned for residential use or school use, and prohibits development on lands designated for heavy industrial use. Clarifies that affordable housing units remain affordable for no less than 30 years, and are made available for ownership or rental to families earning 80 percent or less of the area median income, or that the average of all units on a property serve families earning 60 percent or less of the area median income. Establishes increased density maximums for projects in areas zoned for residential use. Allows applicants to obtain attorney fees in prevailing appeals before the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).”

The “Enrolled” version can be found here. View the legislative process on this item here.