Community leaders support Section 8 bill
April 2, 2013
Over the weekend, The Oregonian published an editorial about House Speaker Tina Kotek's legislative proposal to reform the Section 8 program in the State of Oregon.
The Editorial Board wrote that while "Speaker Kotek and Commissioner Fish are right to seek a level field for all people who seek shelter and have money to pay for it," the board writes that "this bill misses the mark."
Community leaders disagreed. Over the last couple of days we noticed several letters to the editor responding to the editorial. John Miller, Executive Director of the Oregon Opportunity Network writes that "we all benefit from a thriving housing market, and this is a great step forward."
Jean DeMaster and Sarah Zahn from Human Solutions acknowledge that "HB2639 is an excellent solution to the issue of housing choice," and acknowledge speaker Kotek for "her hard work and balanced approach to this bill." The bill is further supported by Chuck Fisher, executive director of the Salem-Keizer Community Development Corporation, who states "we all live in subsidized housing."
We are proud supporters of Speaker Kotek's Legislation and pleased that leaders in our community share the value that renters statewide deserve a level playing field.