Property Stabilization Articles and Links

The operating environment for affordable housing has radically shifted since 2020. Expenses have increased at a rate more than double what was projected, families are less able to pay rent, and many properties—including newer ones—have no financial path to adjust. Consequently, Oregon is on the brink of losing affordable homes even as we are increasing investments to build them.

The Oregon legislature voted in 2025 to invest $50 million in preservation capital to support emergency stabilization of properties throughout the state that are at immediate risk of loss. This capital is helping to restore the financial viability of a portion of Oregon’s at-risk affordable homes, enabling working families, seniors, and people exiting homelessness to remain housed.

But these funds will not solve the property destabilization crisis, and many properties will remain at risk.

What is Senate Bill 51? Passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2025, Senate Bill 51 provided $3.3 million to strengthen property and asset management capacity at Oregon’s affordable housing properties. But funding for Senate Bill 51 is currently being targeted for elimination because of revenue shortfalls. The legislature will make final decisions to balance the state budget during the February 2026 short session. Get more details on our Senate Bill 51 page.

To learn more about the causes and consequences of the property stabilization crisis, we recommend the following articles:

From Shelterforce (May 2024): In the Rush to Build, Existing Affordable Housing Is Falling Apart

From the HDC blog (February 2024): Treacherous Operating Conditions Threaten Lasting Impacts if We Don’t Act

From the HDC blog (February 2024): Operating conditions are worse than anyone projected. Affordable housing properties are not set up to adjust