Maxine Dexter (D), District 33
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
The main driver of homelessness in Oregon is lack of affordable housing. We have failed to produce sufficient housing at all levels of income to sustain affordable rental as well as purchasing markets for many decades. This is compounded by a high migration rate to Oregon, a stagnant minimum wage (until increased by the legislature in 2016), increasing healthcare and higher education costs and lack of accessibility to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
The way to address this is multi-fold. We must build more housing at all income levels and subsidize it with public funds, especially for those who make less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) while also being very intentional and effective at creating places where those struggling with mental health and substance use disorder challenges may have access to treatment and support for a sustained, if not permanent, period of time.
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
The central cause for the ongoing housing crisis is lack of affordable housing. We do not produce enough housing to offset the need which drives up costs per unit on the market. Additionally, we have not maintained and built sufficient affordable subsidized housing to meet the need in our state as more and more people have qualified for housing assistance. As stated in question 1, the lack of housing supply is the primary driver, however low wages compounded with the increasing cost of healthcare, childcare and higher education leads to perpetuated states of poverty and disadvantage.
I will address this by working to create momentum and opportunity for building more affordable housing at all levels of income, will extend construction subsidies in coordination with local jurisdictions at the 120% AMI and below, invest in maintaining the at-risk affordable housing we currently have and increase sustained rental assistance programs.
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
I do support using state funding for all of these types of shelter and housing. I would prioritize state investments in permanent housing, including permanent supportive housing, for populations who are most at risk of losing housing due to concurrent challenges with health and social factors. I do not believe emergency shelter investment should be a state priority as the cities and counties are best positioned to understand what type of emergency shelter is needed in their community and they receive resources from taxpayers and the state to use for such purposes. Emergency shelter should be part of a comprehensive housing and social support system that connects people in need to services to help them regain stability. It should be short-lived and not seen as an acceptable long-term option as all people deserve a place of their own to have affordable and sustained safety and shelter.
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
It is true that building housing alone will not fix the affordability challenge Oregonians face every day. We must have sufficiently high wages to be able to afford housing and far more families are spending more than 30% of their monthly income on housing than is acceptable. We must also have publicly subsidized housing for those who cannot make enough money to afford rent - those who are elderly and disabled, those pursuing a higher education degree, single parents with young children who need childcare and very importantly, our BIPOC members of our community. Black and Brown Oregonians have been systemically denied access to equitable education, union membership, job training and the opportunity to build generational wealth through the purchase of a home throughout our state’s history. We must invest in creating equitable opportunities for everyone to have access to good paying jobs and affordable housing.
Stan Baumhofer (R), District 33
Editor's note: Although Baumhofer is on the ballot in State House of Representatives District 33, Street Roots was unable to locate any contact information for Baumhofer, or any discernible existence of an ongoing campaign for office. Baumhofer's campaign is not registered with the Oregon Secretary of State and he did not have a campaign website or social media.
Daniel Nguyen (D), District 38
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
All of these – lack of affordable housing and availability, lack of mental health and addictions services and economic instability contribute to an individual experiencing homelessness. As a city councilor, I absolutely support community driven solutions but as a state legislator I would also support a coordinating body to make sure state dollars and federal funds passing through the state for housing, mental health, addiction and workforce development are driven to the communities in a timely, efficient and outcome based manner. The state has a significant role and opportunity to assist communities from a policy and funding level for this crisis. We must act to provide emergency shelter with supportive services. We also need to ensure policies at the state level do not unnecessarily hinder development of affordable housing to rent and to buy.
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
As to central cause, I believe the issue is too complex to narrow it to one factor. For each individual, a set of unique circumstances led them to homelessness. We must address this issue on all fronts – increase affordable housing – both to renters and those who would like to purchase a home, increase access to mental health and addiction services, and support an economic climate that allows people to make a living wage where they can afford healthcare, housing and food. As I mentioned above, this is a crisis, we cannot wait, and I support the concept of a coordinating body that is accountable to the legislature and the Governor, to ensure that state and federal funds are being spent in a timely, effective and accountable manner.
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
I support state funding for all of the above. I support prioritizing emergency and transitional housing first to address the immediate and urgent need of giving people shelter. At the same time, I understand that not all shelters and transitional housing are equal and any state dollars must ensure SAFE shelter with supportive services.
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
We need more affordable housing in this state that people can afford and to stabilize the market. I don’t have all the answers and am eager and open to working with stakeholders at all levels to ensure the legislature is doing everything possible to address this crisis and support all of our residents.
Alistair Firman (R), District 38
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
I believe there is not one main driver for the homelessness crisis other than a lack of focused, comprehensive policy driven at the State level. Oregon is applying political solutions instead of factual, data driven solutions that include accountability and specific results tied to funding. I would insist upon seeking out the best solutions delivering results already being used in any of the other 49 states and also demand an understanding of what is different in the states that do not have a crisis such as the one we are experiencing in Oregon. We must have a comprehensive plan that includes but is not limited to dramatically increasing the housing supply for all Oregonians, funds the evaluation of individual needs of our unsheltered homeless, and provides for a coordinated response to deliver mental health, substance abuse, educational, and job training services proven to deliver results.
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
I believe there is more than one cause for the ongoing housing crisis. Housing affordability is driven by availability. Given the number of individuals moving to Oregon every year, we must dramatically increase the amount of housing available at all income levels, particularly low income. This should not include permanent renter protections or regulations, however short term measures in this area should be included as a bridge until supply is increased. A major element of increasing supply is to shorten the time it takes for developers to get approved or denied. An additional element is to enlist the help of developers to create appropriate policies that enable them to build/renovate homes while also balancing the need for lower income/transitional housing.
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
State funding should be prioritized for transitional housing and emergency shelters. Permanent housing should be funded by developers as that is the business they are in. As long as the state and communities provide the right environment, Oregon should be able to produce plenty of permanent housing. Both transitional and emergency housing should come with comprehensive services to identify the root cause of homelessness for each individual and appropriate services to help that individual address their needs.
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
Unfortunately, many owners already sold their properties to get out of the rental business as their risks have gone up. These sales reset the base cost for new owners as they paid more for the unit than the prior owners had, therefore raising the price needed to pay any bank loans and/or make a profit. Temporary rental assistance could be a solution I would consider as long as it was coupled with a needs analysis. An owner of any unit that rents must cover their costs and also make a profit. There are several approaches that can be taken to lower owner’s costs and/or enable them to make a profit. Several policies have been put in place over the years that made it more and more expensive or risky for owners. These policies should be identified, reviewed, and then either modified or repealed so as to drop costs.
Mark Gamba (D), District 41
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
There are nearly as many drivers of homelessness as there are people who are unhoused. Every person’s situation is unique. This means there is also no single, silver bullet to solve the crisis. Here are three things I believe need our urgent action: 1) we need to be building MUCH more housing, which will require training dramatically more tradespeople; 2) raise the minimum wage to an actually livable amount, and also ensure better pay for addiction treatment and mental health jobs so we can attract and retain these vital service providers; 3) make it easier to escape the trap of houselessness by allocating more state funding for the creation of supportive and transitional housing programs, and by implementing social housing policies that make housing more of a human right and less of a profit center.
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
Yes to all of the above (low wages, housing affordability/availability, lack of renter protections and rent regulations). In the last economic recession banks stopped lending for new construction, which caused two things: 1) we stopped building houses while our population boomed, which ruined our supply/demand ratio; 2) much of our construction workforce left the state in search of work, which destroyed our ability to resume construction once the recession ended. Now, the dire lack of housing supply is causing prices to rise 16% each year. One bill I’ll champion in the 2023 legislative session will begin the process to create a state public bank that could pick up the slack in lending during the next economic downturn, help cities build infrastructure like roads and water systems, and keep our tax dollars circulating in local economies instead of being sent to Wall Street as interest payments. There are several renter protection bills I will also support.
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
We need vastly more permanent and supportive housing to enable people to stay housed and healthy. The question is: can we build enough of it fast enough. We should absolutely implement other transitional housing concepts like SROs and Conestoga Villages to get people in dignified shelter ASAP. By the way, we also need to start thinking outside the box and looking at different systems that are working in other places. In many ways we have an inflexible bureaucracy at the state and local levels that is either restricted from or incapable of considering things like social housing, SROs, conestoga villages, tiny homes and more. I believe the state needs to take a greater role in spurring new solutions to the housing crisis.
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
We need to work at both ends of the spectrum. Working class wages have stagnated for thirty years and have not kept pace with the cost of living. I will introduce a bill in 2023 to tie the minimum wage in a given region to the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment. If it passes, this will guarantee that any worker in Oregon can afford housing. Furthermore, evictions are currently skyrocketing and more than 80% of them are due solely to nonpayment; I strongly believe the state needs to continue investing in rent assistance and subsidize move-in costs like application fees and security deposits, which can be huge barriers. We also need to implement a system for gathering data on rents and fees so that governments at all levels are working with hard data rather than best guesses. I’ll be considering ways to strengthen SB 608, our rent stabilization law.
Robert Reynolds (R), District 41
Editor's note: Reynolds did not respond to Street Roots multiple attempts to make contact via phone or email. Although Reynolds’ campaign is registered with the Oregon Secretary of State, Street Roots was unable to locate any discernible existence of an ongoing campaign for office like a campaign website, social media accounts or campaign events.
Tawna Sanchez (D), District 43
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
The driver of this issue is a systemic problem is a combination of all the factors you listed above (housing affordability/availability, lack of mental and medical health care, addiction). There is no one driver or policy fix that will solve this issue. The pandemic only focused the spotlight on the issues that we have been struggling with for years.
The rise in housing prices has pushed Oregon to one of the top five states in the nation in terms of housing costs, while our level of care for behavioral health ranks as one of the lowest in the country. Alcohol and drug addiction have exacerbated these issues and prevented us from gaining a foothold on helping people get off the street.
In addition to the historic investments that the state has made in behavioral health over the past 18 months, I am championing an increase in the workforce so that we can recruit, hire and pay behavioral health specialists and peer mentors, a family wage salary to provide direct help to houseless members of our community.
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
To a degree some of our own popularity as a livable state may be the problem in part. However, the primary issue is the lack of building of all housing types has resulted in a lack of not only affordable housing but all housing. Oregon is estimated to be approximately 120,000 units short of the housing that we need and that may be an underestimate. The rise in prices has also resulted in thousands of owners taking advantage and selling rental properties that are converted to permanent residencies for homeowners. The recent spike in interest rates will result in some relief of housing prices but the lack of inventory will continue to be a problem in Oregon. Sadly, the effort to keep Oregon's farming and green spaces available by the enforcement of the Urban Growth Boundary, has also contributed to the lack of buildable land driving the price of buildable land extremely high. This of course is in combination with the reluctance for some areas of the city to allow infill building.
The state has a role to play in terms of providing affordable housing for our citizens. Implementing policies to create more affordable units in mixed-use areas both in the urban and rural areas in addition to supporting policies to drive homeownership will help to ease the burden but many of these issues are market-driven unfortunately. This will require state and local leaders to sit down and work together.
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
I support state funding to support all of the above. I believe that public investments in both permanent and temporary housing is essential and will save money in the long run by tackling this topic with an upriver approach. Besides the fact that it’s the humane and right thing to do. At this point I would prioritize long term supportive housing.
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
At this point subsidized housing options are the only way that low income Oregonians will be able to have housing options. Rent will not go down and there is no way to build housing, that is not a tiny house, that will be affordable for low income folks. Not to mention that tiny houses are not always an option for families.
The end goal should be home ownership, especially for working families. Building equity in a home and having something to pass down to the next generation is a goal for most families, but the cost to build in Oregon and particularly in Portland is likely out of reach for many families. The state has to subsidize the building of new homes and rental units in order to allow people time to build their capacity to invest on their own.
Tim LeMaster (R), District 43
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
LeMaster, whose campaign website and electoral Political Action Committee is called “Bring Back Portland,” offers little in the way of policy ideas or opinions on causes of issues he feels are threatening Portland.
“Rampant substance abuse, record homicides, a homeless crisis, and mistrust of the police plague Portland,” LeMaster writes on his campaign site. “Portland is heading toward a third consecutive year of record homicide primarily affecting the Black community. All these issues contribute to a decaying quality in all aspects of Portland life.”
LeMaster said “Oregon can adopt” policies similar to Houston, which has found success using a housing first approach to place people in transitional housing and eventually permanent housing while providing wraparound services. LeMaster compares those programs to the Bybee Lakes Hope Center, which is a privately owned high-barrier shelter in a retrofitted jail, so it’s unclear where he sees similarities between the programs.
-K. Rambo
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
LeMaster’s campaign website does not mention the housing crisis or housing affordability.
-K. Rambo
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
While LeMaster criticizes what he sees as an ineffective use of funds in addressing homelessness and promotes a “private sector model,” he does not explicitly state opposition to funding for permanent housing, transitional housing or emergency shelter. He also doesn’t offer support for funding any of the three.
"The current government supported programs for homelessness are not working," LeMaster wrote on his campaign site. "The Oregon state legislature’s [sic.] answer is giving these ineffective programs more money, without any changes to their implementation and expected outcomes. This is a recurring theme for many of the issues with current government leadership at all levels. More money handed over, without effective results to justify the increased funding."
-K. Rambo
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
LeMaster’s available campaign materials offer no insight into his policy proposals in this area.
-K. Rambo
Zach Hudson (D), District 49
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
Homelessness can be caused by many things—no two people are the same. Homelessness is driven by all the things you mentioned, but can also be caused by job loss, medical debt or other factors. I believe we need a bigger investment in the kinds of flexible assistance that can connect people to whatever helps them the most, whether this is job training, addiction treatment or mental health support.
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
There is too small a supply of affordable housing (which means denser housing). Part of this is due to zoning restrictions which used to favor single-family housing. The legislature changed that in 2020, but the market hasn’t had time to catch up. We need to keep up efforts at all levels to develop sustainable and energy efficient housing within the space that we already have available.
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
All of the above. They are all important pieces of the puzzle. One person or family might make use of all of these at different points, depending on their needs.
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
I prefer direct assistance, public/private partnerships and public housing to trying to control the market itself. The government (city, county or state) should be actively developing affordable housing.
Randy Lauer (R), District 49
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
Lack of mental health and substance abuse services is a key problem. Creating legislation that will hold the government accountable regarding the tax dollars they spend towards alleviating homelessness, by measuring action items, create metrics to either hit or miss, and tangible items they’ll need to create to gauge whether programs funded by tax dollars are either successful or needs improvement. We need to do better and we owe it to our community to do better.
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
Creating better job opportunities and urging people to get back to work will be paramount in helping the housing crisis. I believe homes are expensive, yes. But homes, most of the time, the single biggest purchase we’ll make in our lifetime, have historically been expensive. Encouraging people to get back to work and ending the enabling employment dollars from the state relating to Covid recovery needs to be a focus moving forward. It was needed in 2020 and 2021 but now we need to get back to work to rebuild what was destroyed in our economy due to the Covid response.
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
I believe this is an area the state can do better. Utilize tax dollars to create lasting pathways to transitional, sustainable and more permanent housing. We don’t do enough when it comes to utilizing tax dollars wisely, and the legislation I spoke of in question one can help to regulate where the money goes and where it should be focused on. Housing resources can be one of those focuses.
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
Again, removing barriers to employment and utilizing tax dollars in a manner that creates gainful employment while funding programs aimed at helping with assisted housing are things we are trying to do now but are failing at. We can do better and must do better.
Ricki Ruiz (D), District 50
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
We must do everything in our power to keep everyone housed, maintaining them housed, and continue to offer housing spaces that are affordable and safe. As part of the Task Force on Addressing Racial Disparities in Homeownership, we have found that there’s not only need to be more affordable rental housing available but we must bridge that gap to homeownership. Before we get to that point, we simply have to house our families in a place in which they can find stability.
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
I support state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, and emergency shelter. We have passed numerous policies and funding packets that have done exactly that. We need to continue this work in partnership with our municipalities, counties, and partnering organizations. There is no time to waste.
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
Housing affordability and availability continues to affect thousands of Oregonians. An apartment in the neighborhood of Rockwood for a 2 bedroom and 1 bathroom is averaging at about $1,400 a month. For many, that is 3/4 of their paycheck that directly goes to housing. 1/4 of their paycheck still needs to cover utilities, food, health expenses and transportation. Renter protections could be better. I will highlight the Gresham Rental Housing Inspection Program in which the city conducts random, mandatory inspections throughout the year on residential rental properties. This is a program that I have personally seen effective in regards to fighting for renters rights and safe living (https://greshamoregon.gov/Rental-Housing-Inspections/#RentalHousingInspectionProgram). We need to use this program as an example and expand statewide with the addition of adding manufactured rental living spaces.
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
The main factors of the homelessness crisis consists of lack of housing availability and affordability along with addiction and mental health care. We must continue to prioritize housing as a basic human right. We are seeing prices sky rocket to a price that is simply too much for many residents and families. Getting people housed is a vital first step to healing. The care for mental health and addiction must be accessible to everyone who needs it. We can’t wait any longer to roll out these services. There is a crisis and people that need care. I am committed to working with all stakeholders to help solve these issues in a way that is caring and intentional.
Amelia Salvador (R), District 50
1. What do you believe is the main cause of the homelessness crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that main cause?
Salvador’s campaign website lists “drug addiction and mental health” as the main causes of homelessness.
“The two major problems are drug addiction and mental health,” Salvador said. “As a mother of five, I think if one of my own children were not well, I would help them with all my ability. I am compelled to advocate and speak for these citizens that cannot speak for themselves and not turn a blind eye.”
Salvador’s campaign website lists homelessness as a priority but does not provide specifics on policy approaches beyond stating the crisis should be addressed at a state level with the creation of a statewide task force.
-Piper McDaniel and K. Rambo
2. What do you believe is the central cause for the ongoing housing crisis? In terms of concrete policy proposals, how would you address that central cause?
Salvador, a commercial real estate broker, does not provide any information about how she would approach the ongoing housing crisis, what types of funding she would support or the impacts of housing development on affordability. The only plan Salvador’s website provides regarding affordability centers around advocating for reduced taxes.
-Piper McDaniel and K. Rambo
3. Do you support using state funding for permanent housing, transitional housing, emergency shelter, all of the above or none of the above? Why?
Salvador’s campaign materials do not mention support for funding any sort of permanent housing, transitional housing or emergency shelters.
-K. Rambo
4. As Street Roots reported, increased housing development slows and stabilizes rent increases, but does not lower existing rent. How will you ensure people already priced out of the rental market can afford a place to live?
Salvador’s campaign website references housing in one instance in the context of “affordability” — one of Salvador’s campaign platforms. Included in a passage emphasizing the importance of reducing the cost of living, Salvador attributes surging prices, including gas and food, to over-taxation.
“As we tax companies and businesses more, the rise in costs eventually goes to the consumer,” Salvador said. “As we tax citizens more, we have less income to afford daily living expenses.
“I believe in keeping gas affordable, keeping grocery costs down and the opportunity of home ownership [sic.] for all.”
-Piper McDaniel and K. Rambo
Neither candidate from the following races
submitted answers to Street Roots:
State Rep. District 46
Khanh Pham (D)
Timothy Sytsma (R)
State Rep. District 42
Rob Nosse (D)
Scott Trahan (R)
State Senate District 24
Kayse Jama (D)
Stan Catherman (R)
State Rep. District 48
Hoa Nguyen (D)
John Masterman (R)
State Rep. District 39
Janelle Bynum (D)
Kori Haynes (R)
State Rep. District 51
Walt Trandum (D)
James Hieb (R)
State Rep. District 36
Jeff Hindley (WITHDREW)
Hai Pham (D)
Street Roots is an award-winning weekly investigative publication covering economic, environmental and social inequity. The newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Street Roots newspaper operates independently of Street Roots advocacy and is a part of the Street Roots organization. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.
© 2022 Street Roots. All rights reserved. | To request permission to reuse content, email editor@streetroots.org or call 503-228-5657, ext. 404
