Legislative findings

The Legislative Assembly finds that: (1) The population of the state is growing and is expected to continue growing well into the 21st century. That population growth is uneven, resulting in some places struggling to manage new people, jobs and building, and other places being eager to attract a share of growth and economic development. A community’s pattern of development can accommodate a growing population and help rebuild rural and distressed economies while maintaining the state’s quality of life. Downtown areas need to be revitalized to accommodate more business and civic activity. Affordable housing must be developed near job centers. Rural and distressed communities need to be rebuilt to allow all sectors of the state to share in economic prosperity. (2) Numerous barriers exist to achieving vibrant downtown areas and community centers, ample affordable housing and thriving rural economies. Overcoming those barriers will require the state to work in partnership with local communities, the private sector and community-based groups to provide livability. Regulations must be balanced with incentives. Private sector financing must be better leveraged. Local planning and zoning codes must allow the redevelopment of strategic infill sites. The needs of working families for housing, transportation and services that are affordable and accessible must be addressed by the entire community. (3) A critical element in the creation of effective partnerships is a flexible funding source that can serve as an incentive to achieving quality development. Careful targeting of financial incentives can provide the needed impetus for revitalization of downtown areas throughout the state, the creation of affordable housing in the proper places and new job centers in places working to attract new growth. (4) State government, in tandem with local and federal governments, nonprofit organizations and the business sector, provides a variety of tools to help build strong Oregon communities. Targeted financial incentives will complement existing tools and allow state government and its partners to enhance livability and make cost-effective use of public infrastructure. The resulting communities will be economically viable and will have housing that is affordable to community residents.