Editorial: How close is Oregon to meeting Gov. Kotek's housing goal?

On her first day as governor in 2023, one of her first actions was to issue an executive order declaring ambitious housing goals for the state.

A state housing analysis had estimated that Oregon needed 443,566 homes over the next 20 years to match predicted demand. Kotek set a goal of building 36,000 homes a year, at least for the next 10 years.

The state had only been producing about 20,000 homes a year. And there is a need for much of the new housing to be affordable for people making lower incomes.

Kotek and the Legislature have taken action.

The Governor’s Housing Production Advisory Council made a range of recommendations. Senate Bill 1537 was passed this year. Among other things, it allows cities to expand their boundaries for more housing as long as they satisfy conditions.

Senate Bill 1530 also was passed this year. It sends more than $250 million out to help build housing.

More could be added to that list. In fact, total up all the investments in housing that the state has made for the 2023-2025 biennium and Kotek’s office told us it is nearly $1 billion in investment.

But where are we in meeting the goal?

Nobody expects Oregon to wipe away a housing deficit built up over years overnight. Or, at least, they shouldn’t.

What we would like to see is a running total on a state of Oregon website. One number would be the goal. Another number would be a running total of where we are. There are so many jurisdictions involved in granting building permits that it could be a headache.

For some, it would be easy. For others, not at all.

The “Governor’s Office is working with multiple agencies and partners to determine an estimated total,” Kotek’s office told us.

Good. Her ambitious goal focuses attention.

Oregonians also need to know how what the state is doing is working, if it is really changing the world.