SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Legislature has unanimously passed House Bill 3589, aiming to address the growing housing crisis among older Oregonians.
According to the Oregon Legislature, the bill establishes a Senior Housing Development Initiative with a $24 million investment to provide safe, affordable housing for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
Older adults are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness in the U.S., and Oregon is already seeing signs of this trend. Data shows that people over 55 make up between 20% and 25% of the state’s unhoused population.
“This is a quiet crisis that’s growing fast,” Rep. Pam Marsh of Ashland said. “We have more older adults on fixed incomes, more people aging without family nearby, and too few housing options that truly meet their needs.”
The bill allocates $23.5 million for developing affordable homes and $500,000 to Oregon Housing and Community Services for technical assistance. It encourages local communities to engage in senior housing development.
The funding comes from a $24 million transfer from Oregon’s Property Tax Deferral Program for Disabled and Senior Homeowners. This program allows eligible seniors to defer property taxes until they move or sell their homes.
Sen. Deb Patterson of Salem emphasized the importance of this initiative. “Oregon seniors deserve to age in dignity—not in cars, not in shelters, and not in fear of eviction,” Patterson said.
The initiative runs through 2031 and can be extended by the Legislature.