SALEM, OR -- State lawmakers have made housing a top priority of this legislative session. A key committee holds its first meeting Tuesday morning.

Central Oregon State Representative Emerson Levy is one of three freshman lawmakers appointed to the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness.  “Housing is maybe the number one issue going into the session. I think the governor made that clear in her inauguration address, that we needed to address the housing crisis and take it on in a very, very serious way,” Levy said. 

“This first week is really going to be a chance to listen to the experts, and the experts are really going to be focused on that needs analysis so we can know where we’re aiming at and what we need to build up, housing supply-wise. On my end, I’ll be bringing a couple bills to create middle-income housing,” said Levy speaking of a bill that would offer incentives for building homes for people who make 60% to 120% of the Average Median Income, “So, in Bend/Redmond, you’re looking at $250,000 to $300,000 house. The market can’t naturally build that right now, because of the land itself. So, if we can give, in some cases, a 10-year tax break, or something like that, then that housing can be built.”

Overall, the Democrat hopes it will be a fruitful session, “We’re pretty aligned on housing and safety and, I think that you’re going to hopefully see a legislature that’s really committed to serving the whole state of Oregon and not very committed to antics.”