CITY OF MADRAS TESTIFIES IN SUPPORT OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MADRAS WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Since 2019, the City of Madras has worked hard to address local housing challenges by updating plans and development regulations, streamlining permitting processes, reduced SDCs, and created new revenue sources to reduce the cost of housing. The City has permitted 330 new dwellings in the City Since 2020. Only 47% of those new dwellings are considered workforce (120% AMI) or affordable (60% AMI) housing. Despite the City’s significant efforts, the just isn’t enough housing for those earning 120% or less of the Area Median Income.

High interest rates and infrastructure costs remain significant barriers to workforce housing being constructed.  Oregon State Rep. Lucetta Elmer (D) from McMinnville has sponsored HB 4134 to provide direct grants cities funding to construct needed infrastructure for workforce housing developments to reduce construction costs and thereby allow needed housing to be constructed. The bill requires 30% of the dwelling units in each development to be rented or sold to be affordable for 10 years.

On February 6^th, City of Madras Community Development Director (See Photo 1) testified in support of the bill with Rep. Elmer and the Home Builders Association of Oregon. If passed by the Legislature as drafted, the City would receive a $3.9 million grant for four (4) housing developments in Madras that would construct the needed infrastructure for workforce housing within 24 months of State grant funding being approved.

Photo 2: Left to right: Heather Richards, Community Development Director, City of McMinnville, Nicholas Snead, Community Development Director, City of Madras, Rep. Lucetta Elmer (Dist. 24), Mayor Remy Drabkin, City of McMinnville.