Affordable Housing
As it is critical that all citizens, especially our area’s workforce, have access to housing, the Cascades East Association of REALTORS® recognizes the need for producing and rehabilitating quality, safe, and affordable housing. We will continue to work with our partners in local government, state government, and the non-profit space to advance initiatives and funding to support affordable housing in the region.
To keep homeownership affordable while ensuring sufficient infrastructure exists to service housing, we will continue to actively monitor and engage on any proposed new or increased System Development Charges (SDCs), particularly those levied on residential construction.
Cascades East REALTORS® considers affordable housing essential to our communities continued growth and progress. However, we are opposed to any program that mandates the inclusion of affordable housing in developments. Cascades East REALTORS® believes that mandatory inclusionary zoning puts an undue burden on developers and has the potential to stifle new development in our region. It could also jeopardize the economic future of our communities. We believe that voluntary programs that offer incentives for the inclusion of affordable housing are the most equitable, effective, and efficient means for providing affordable housing in Oregon.
To maintain homeownership affordability, Cascades East REALTORS® generally opposes increases in property tax rates. Property owners are subject to various burdensome taxes and fees, and many of the costs associated with homeownership continue to increase. Instead of increasing property tax rates to generate revenues for various projects, services, and initiatives, we encourage local governments to fully explore, utilize, and exhaust all other potential revenue-generating options.
Land Use
The Preamble to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics states, "Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization." Land use is a critical component of real estate development. Cascades East REALTORS® believes that land use in Oregon should not be "one-size-fits-all" but rather a system that considers the diverse landscapes, environments, climates, and geography that make up our state. We are committed to working with our various partners and Oregon REALTORS® toward land use solutions that balance protecting and managing natural resources with development and the needs of growing communities.
In an environment where housing demand is outstripping supply, and significant housing needs exist, we believe it is prudent to re-evaluate exclusive agricultural and forest lands that are not viable for their designated purpose to determine if they represent opportunities for other uses. Specifically, we support a policy designed to establish eligibility criteria for designating Exclusive Farm Use or Forest Use zoned properties to Nonprime Resource (NPR) Lands defined in OAR 660-004-0005(3) as “Non-Resource Lands.”
Property Rights
The ownership of real property includes a “bundle of rights." Cascades East REALTORS® believes that protecting private property rights is the cornerstone of the real estate industry and supports initiatives designed to protect these rights.
In the interest of protecting private property rights, Cascades East REALTORS® opposes governmental efforts to restrict or prohibit short-term rental agreements.
Cascades East REALTORS® closely monitors issues related to local sign ordinances, specifically those that govern real estate signage. We are committed to working with local governments to ensure that sign ordinances effectively facilitate—and not deter—real estate business in Central and Northeastern Oregon.
Economic Development
Real estate makes up 15-18% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) annually. History has shown that our economy is influenced by real estate, and the real estate industry is affected by the economy. We work with community partners on major issues that influence the general health of the local economy and the vibrance of the real estate industry.
Community
The cities and counties within Central and Northeastern Oregon are attractive places to live, work, and play. Cascade East REALTORS® is proud to work with community partners to protect the qualities that make all corners of our state unique and also continuously work to improve our communities.
Issues concerning education and school districts are of great interest and concern to REALTORS® and their clients. We support measures designed to ensure adequate funding of our school systems, which includes resources dedicated to staffing, safety, capital projects, funding for the arts, and a renewed focus on teaching workforce skills.
