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“When I hear stories, and really see and hear what’s happening in communities, like here in St. Helens with, for example, the residents of the affordable housing community. And what it meant to them to get them on a path where they can thrive,” Bonamici said. “Here, listening to the very tough but meaningful work that the people do here at the Amani Center, as I work on legislation, whether it be policy legislation or funding requests, I keep those stories in mind because I want to address the needs of the community that I represent.”

“Oregon has an affordable housing crisis, and addressing it requires a multifaceted response and significant federal investment,” said Bonamici, whose Congressional District 1 includes portions of Southwest Portland and much of Washington County. She co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness.

Bonamici is concerned about provisions in the legislation that would roll back consumer protections put in place by the Biden administration and eliminate the Parent Plus and Grad Plus loan programs.

“We should be making it easier to get a college education, not make it harder and more expensive,” she said, noting that many of the programs in the road map are designed to help students get to and through college.

“I’m impressed by the partnership in getting this done,” Bonamici said. “The facility is wonderful, the apartments are lovely. They have done a beautiful job making affordable housing available to people here in St. Helens.”