Press Release News

Washington, D.C.- Some major investments were announced by Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden to expand the affordable housing options for rural and veterans.

Besides this, the U.S. Senators also intend to boost transportation infrastructure which includes $75 Million in funding for 44 critical community-initiated projects across the state via fiscal year 2024 funding. The six-bill package was quickly made law by President Biden.

Merkley and Wyden secured the investments in the FY24 transportation, housing, and urban development and related agencies (THUD) Bill, pushing back against the most extreme funding cuts and policy riders proposed by House Republicans.

The THUD funding bill will support programs and projects throughout the state to address the affordable housing crisis and keep Oregonians moving forward with reliable transportation infrastructure.

Merkley said, “As I hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year, I hear firsthand from folks about what matters most to them, including the need to take on the affordable housing crisis, build drought resilience, and move the state faster to a renewable energy future. The funding included in these bills for programs and critical community-initiated projects will benefit Oregonians in every corner of the state for years to come.”

Wyden said, “These crucial federal investments will help more Oregonians secure a roof over their heads as well as make it easier for workers to commute and for small businesses to get their goods to markets. I’m gratified the teamwork with Oregonians who shared their priorities with me and Senator Merkley in town halls and other settings has generated such solid housing and transportation gains for communities across Oregon.”

Merkley joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon could have a strong voice in making decisions regarding the investments the nation should be making.

The projects included in the FY24 funding package by Merkley and Wyden along with the support of Oregon’s members in the House of Representatives include:

• $6 Million to construct a new air traffic control tower in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration to enhance aviation safety in Oregon.
• $4 Million for the city of North to demolish the old Coos County annex and construct affordable housing for the workforce, especially for the workers in the education, healthcare, public safety, and logistics industries.
• $4 Million for the initiating improvements in infrastructure to redevelop the former terminal 2 into a housing innovation campus. The idea is to make this a housing hub for innovators to come up with ways to address the affordable housing crisis by creating more housing options or by improving the housing construction industry. It is expected that the Innovation Campus will create around 17,000 good-paying jobs for rural, urban, and BIPOC communities and also provide housing for working families.
• $4 Million for Oregon’s Green Access Project to not only modernize road systems but also provide easier and safer access to community, retail, and entertainment facilities.
• $3 Million to develop affordable housing in the Dalles. With these funds, Oregon will create 75 units to provide housing and other supportive services to veterans, families, and households experiencing mental health challenges.
• $2 Million to make up for the construction costs for its Barbur apartments project. This development will provide 149 affordable rental units ranging from one to four bedrooms. The development will only serve low-income families and households.