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Government Relations

What We Do

OHCS Government Relations Section guides agency participation in state and federal legislative efforts to positively advance the agency's mission and values for the benefit of all Oregonians through legislative advocacy and rulemaking.

2024 Legislative Session

During the 2024 Legislative Session, Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) received over $212 million to address housing and homelessness needs across the state.

These funds build on the historic $1.14 billion allocated to the agency during the 2023 Session and will ensure that supports remain available throughout the biennium while also launching new and critical work.

In addition to key investments, OHCS also saw the passage of key policy bills that made needed adjustments to current programs to ensure the effective delivery of resources to Oregonians.

Read more about OHCS' priorities heading into Session

Check out OHCS' End-of-Session Recap

2023 Legislative Session

The legislative session ended on June 25th. To learn more about the outcomes, review the OHCS’ 2023 Legislative Highlights document and the 2023 Legislative Digest.

The Oregon Legislature invested more than $215M in housing through the Early Session Housing Package (read snapshot) as a down payment. Governor Tina Kotek is calling on the legislature to invest $1.3 billion in housing solutions through the end of session package. Click the links below to learn more:

Snapshot of the End of Session Housing Package

Improving Program Access: Language Access, Training, and Technical Assistance

Bond Investments to Expand and Improve Housing Supply

Pre-Development Investments​

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Risk Mitigation

Rehousing Oregonians Experiencing Homelessness

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Investments

The End of Session Housing Package will allow OHCS to achieve goals established with our 2023-25 requested budget (SB 5511). Balancing the needs of Oregonians experiencing homelessness with addressing chronic supply shortfalls, the biennial budget represents the largest request any Governor has proposed (read snapshot). The full 2023-25 Governor's Recommended Budget is available here: 2023-25 Governor's Recommended Budget

Legislative Agenda Development

OHCS 2021 DRAFT Legislative Agenda​

Surveys

View high level feedback received on the DRAFT 2021 Legislative Agenda.

Webinars

Affordable Rental Housing Division Agenda

Homeownership Division Agenda

Housing Stabilization Division Agenda

Past Legislative Session Materials


Government Relations Staff

Leann Knapp (she/her) is passionate community and legislative advocate who has worked at the intersections of healthcare access, immigrant rights, food justice, and housing. She has previously worked in the Oregon Legislature, in non-profit organizations, and in advocacy spaces. Leann joined OHCS in February of 2022 as a Legislative & Government Relations Coordinator where her primary focus is on Housing Stabilization issues, such as rental assistance, homeless services and prevention. In October 2023 Leann was appointed Interim Assistant Director of Government Relations.


Tanisha Rosas (she/her) has focused her career on ensuring that policy and law have the best possible impact on local communities. She has worked on many different levels of government including, local governments in Oregon and Texas, a Texas State Agency, and the Texas Legislature. She received her J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. Tanisha joined OHCS in December 2022 as a Legislative and Government Relations Coordinator where her primary focus is on Affordable Rental Housing.​

Alexandra Ring (she/her) is passionate about working to better the lives for Oregonians. Alexandra joined OHCS in 2021 as Legislative and Communications Coordinator, she previously worked in the Oregon Legislature and U.S. Congress. At OHCS she primarily works with the Homeownership Divisions and Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Division, focusing on making homeownership affordable for Oregonians and recovery from the 2020 wildfires. 

2023


Contact Us

Jill Gray (she/her)
Assistant Director of Government Relations | Supporting the Disaster Recovery & Resilience Division
Jill.E.Gray@hcs.oregon.gov
503-881-2213

Casey Houlihan (he/him)
Legislative and Government Relations Coordinator | Supporting the Housing Stabilization Division and Special Initiatives Team
Casey.Houlihan@hcs.oregon.gov
503-510-8599

Tanisha Rosas (she/her)
Legislative and Government Relations Coordinator | Supporting the Affordable Rental Housing Division
Tanisha.Rosas@hcs.oregon.gov
971-239-7409


For administrative rule support please reach out to that team at HCS_Rules-Team@hcs.oregon.gov


Helpful Links