Housing
Affordable housing
- The HOME program, which is used by states and local governments to assist low-income families with affordable housing,
- Neighborworks America, which has been a leader in affordable housing and community development since 1978,
- The Fair Housing Initiatives Program, which plays a crucial role in educating communities on the housing industry, and enforcing housing discrimination laws.
- Community Development Block Grants, the linchpin in the federal government’s commitment to help cities, counties, and states meet the needs of low- and middle-income residents and communities.
Mortgages and Foreclosure
If you are facing foreclosure, please visit www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov or call my Oregon Office at (503) 469-6010. Be wary of foreclosure consultants who make promises and make sure that any housing counselor you work with is HUD certified. More information is available at www.oregonhomeownersupport.gov.
The foreclosure crisis has caused devastation for many Oregonians. Too many families are underwater on their mortgages and many people, including families with children, have lost their homes. I am carefully monitoring the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as the work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), to ensure that strong regulations prevent another financial crisis.
The economy won’t fully recover until the housing market is vital again. We need to explore policies that will help homeowners stay in their homes while the economy is recovering. I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress and with advocates and the industry to address this important issue. I have joined with many of my colleagues in calling on the Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to reconsider his decision that prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from reducing the principal owed on underwater mortgages. With so many mortgages underwater, this change could an immediate and constructive role in restoring confidence in the housing market.
More on Housing
Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici stopped in Washington County Saturday afternoon to thank firefighters for their efforts in battling the Chehalem Mountain Fire.
She met with crews from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and heard from firefighters about what they needed to finish putting out hotspots from the wildfire.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Beaverton, noted the approval in a tweet saying she appreciated it was done quickly “so we can promptly send more help where it is desperately needed.”
Rep. Greg Walden, the only Republican in Oregon’s delegation connected the speedy approval to a meeting he held with President Trump this week.
They specifically asked FEMA to immediately offer help including paying for hotels or other shelter for people who lost their homes or are under evacuation orders.
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici, today announced that the White House has approved the state of Oregon’s request for an emergency declaration in response to unprecedented and dangerous wildfires that are blanketing the state. The Senators and Representatives had pushed on Wednesday for the declaration to be granted, immediately following Governor Kate Brown’s request.