"Senator Jama’s leadership as Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing & Development has kept tens of thousands of Oregonians in their homes." - Katrina Holland, Housing Advocate
Senator Kayse Jama took office in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic at the peak of a looming housing crisis, and got right to work delivering for Oregon. In his first session, Senator Jama passed legislation to prevent evictions and mortgage foreclosures, expand protections for renters, ensure housing providers were compensated for back rent, and address housing discrimination. Over the past three years, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing and Development, Senator Jama has led the investment of over $4.5 billion in housing solutions.
Progress on Housing and Homelessness
2024 Short Legislative Session
Senator Jama worked with the Governor’s Office, legislative colleagues, and community partners to address our state’s urgent housing crisis. The comprehensive Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package passed unanimously out of his committee, then proceeded to pass both legislative chambers with bipartisan support. Senate Bill 1530 made targeted investments designed to keep Oregonians in their homes, increase access to homeownership for low-income families, expand supportive housing for Oregonians in addiction recovery, and build climate resiliency into our housing supply. Senate Bill 1537 increases our state’s capacity to produce dense, affordable housing. The bill eases cost burdens on our cities, streamlines application approval processes, and establishes a revolving loan program to facilitate moderate-income housing. House Bill 4134 includes additional direct allocations to cities for shovel-ready projects.
2023 Long Legislative Session
Senator Jama worked closely with the Chair of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness Representative Maxine Dexter to lead a bipartisan effort to address the ongoing housing crisis, securing nearly $2 billion for the Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package and the Housing Supply and Affordability Package.
2022 Short Legislative Session
In the 2022, Senator Jama passed new law that will make it easier for renters and low-income households to access air conditioning, a response to 2021′s brutal heat dome. He also worked to direct $400 million to $400 million to urgently address affordable housing and homelessness, one of the largest investments in the short session.
2021 December Special Session
During a special legislative session held in December 2021, Senator Jama worked with Representative Julie Fahey (now House Speaker Fahey) to craft a policy and funding proposal to keep people housed during the holiday season while ensuring landlords could be fully paid. This resulted in a number of changes and investments, including $215 million to rental assistance and housing providers to keep Oregonians in their homes and extending tenants' safe harbor from eviction during the rental assistance application process.
2021 Long Legislative Session
In his first session, Senator Jama focused on long-term strategies like housing stock availability and zoning changes while addressing the immediate, pressing issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic—a looming mortgage foreclosure and rent eviction cliff. He shepherded legislation focused on equitable housing practices, supported home-ownership programs, and introduced tenant protection measures.