Is Oregon’s tax credit to help house farm workers actually working?
Oregon lawmakers created the agricultural workforce housing credit in 1989 to help offset the cost of building housing for agricultural workers. Today, lawmakers are debating whether to extend the credit, allowing housing developers to claim credit for projects completed before January 2030. Outside Salem, advocates and providers of agricultural workforce housing disagree on a fundamental premise: whether the tax credit even works. Agricultural employers who provide housing say the credit does not work for them because it requires up-front money that farms may not have. Community-based housing developers say it works just fine. (Shannon Sollitt/Salem Statesman Journal)
Washington bills aim to curb rent increases
With rent in Washington state rapidly rising in recent years, lawmakers have proposed two bills to ensure reasonable and predictable rent hikes. One of the bills also provides tenants with resources to challenge excessive rent that could result in displacement. Supporters say the bills would help address homelessness in the state. According to data from the American Community Survey, 40% of Washington households are rentals. From 2020 to 2021, those renters saw, on average, a 63% increase in their rents. (Mia Ryder-Marks/The Columbian)
Oregon bill would assist domestic violence survivors, homeless with their pets
People with pets seeking shelter or protection from domestic abuse often surrender their pets to the Humane Society or leave them behind. A bill before the Legislature aims to change that by providing money for a pet assistance and support program. If it becomes law, Oregon will join California in providing such help. Housing-related issues are consistently listed among the top reasons people relinquish pets, said Jessica Simpson, Senior Public Policy Specialist for the Humane Society of the United States, during a public hearing on the bill. “Too many people,” she said, “are faced with the devastating decision to either surrender their pet or have access to essential resources.” (Dianne Lugo/Salem Statesman Journal)
Thousands expected for the Portland Winter Light Festival
More lights, more cool installations and now the eighth annual Portland Winter Light Festival arrives, Feb. 3-11 at three anchor locations: Pioneer Courthouse Square and World Trade Center downtown, as well as Electric Blocks building in Southeast Portland. The festival will also show up at several other places in the metro area. For the first time, co-founder Jeff Schnabel said, it feels like the festival has accomplished something close to its mission: bring the lights to the people in installations from St. Johns to Lents to Milwaukie to Tigard. To learn more, see the event’s map at pdxwlf.com. (Jason Vondersmith/Portland Tribune)
Douglas County receives new funds for school mental health care
Douglas County will receive nearly $7 million to train mental health professionals, something Behavioral Health Services Director Amy-Rose Wootton said the area sorely needs. Youth in Douglas County report higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance abuse than the state average. The ESD loans behavioral staff to the local schools. Right now, 12 employees serve nearly 7,000 students. The grant will give full-ride scholarships and jobs in the district to graduate students studying counseling. (Nathan Wilk/KLCC)
