The Oregon Joint Task Force on Addressing Racial Disparities in Home Ownership is a legislatively appointed body that is developing solutions to address conditions that reduce or prevent homeownership among people of color in Oregon. The task force has been examining racial disparities for four years. It is currently Co-Chaired by Senator James Manning Jr. (D-Eugene) and Representative Ricki Ruiz (D-Gresham).

In past meetings, the task force has discussed challenges to borrowing despite programs to assist in becoming eligible and closing a home purchase. Banks have taken action expanding educational programs on how to increase credit scores and boost home ownership rates among people of color.

Many of the first task force recommendations were adopted in 2021 and 2022, which appear to have no impact. The task force was restarted in May 2022 with a recommitment to make new investments in financial services and other support services to address the disparities in homeownership.

The task force has been charged with examining twelve separate policy proposals related to funding and organizational capacity; institutional and regulatory measures; and models for asset building. However, resolving racial disparities involves reducing the wealth gap, which involves a redistribution of wealth, or requiring Oregon to go down a socialism path, which may be why the first task force had no impact. The twelve policy proposals gouge taxpayers with $332.4 million, some amounts are repeating.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The public may provide feedback on any or all the proposals from August 18 through September 2, 2022. Members of the public are invited to submit written comment on the twelve separate policy proposals. To submit written comments, email to jardho.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. Testimony submitted to this email address will be posted on the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS).

After the “love letter” law, passed in 2021, was ruled in violation of the First Amendment restricting free speech, the task force took another route. Proponents claimed discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. Instead, the task force proposes to enforce through BOLI and the Fair Housing Council of Oregon and recommends $5 million of taxpayer funds to work on violations of housing discrimination.

Many of the proposals provide for assistance and education, all of which should be taught in high school along with maintenance and upkeep of a home.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-08-18 13:59:32

Last Update: 2022-08-19 13:36:33