BEND, OR -- The Senate Housing committee again discussed the Governor’s housing bill Tuesday. At a public hearing last week, local environmental groups strongly opposed the provision allowing communities a one-time tool to expand Urban Growth Boundaries for housing. As currently written, the bill would let cities bring in up to 150 "net housing acres" through a streamlined process.

State Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Central OR) recently told Deschutes County Commissioners, "That number encompasses acreage for complete communities, which is important to not have urban sprawl, and just really trying to convey that message that we need that larger acreage." She’s confident UGB expansion will be in the final bill. "Certainly, it’s a tension point, right now. I think when it comes over to the House side, we’ll have more flexibility and support."

Commissioner Tony DeBone reminded her the county isn’t allowed to site homeless services outside the UGB, and it's counting on the provision, "I mean, this isn’t ‘ooh, this is Oregon. We need to really fight for the UGB because we need to study the problem.’ This is critical, right now." Rep. Levy replied, "I completely share your urgency, and I assure you that urgency is in the building to act and to do things. We are just having to delicately deal with some interest groups. We will get to the other side." DeBone told her, "I would support you boldly dealing with those groups." And Levy reiterated, "That urgency is felt, 100%."

The bill would also create the Housing Infrastructure Support Fund, to provide grants and loans to local governments. Levy says, "The most important part of that bill to unlock housing, truly, for Deschutes County is the infrastructure money."