Bill > HB2139

This bill establishes a new grant program through the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) to support housing initiatives for federally recognized Indian tribes in Oregon. The bill creates the Tribal Housing Grant Fund and appropriates $12,767,376 from the General Fund to support this effort. Tribes can receive grants for various housing-related purposes, including providing affordable housing, rental assistance, down payment and homeownership support, emergency housing, and shelter. To be eligible, tribes must submit a housing plan compliant with OHCS guidelines. The department will distribute grants using a formula it develops, and grant recipients must report on fund usage. The bill emphasizes that these grants are intended to benefit tribal communities and allows tribes to apply their own contract preference laws. Importantly, receiving these grants will not affect a tribe's eligibility for other housing programs. The bill includes an emergency clause, making the act effective on July 1, 2025, with the goal of addressing housing and homelessness challenges in Oregon's tribal communities.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2139