The current state legislative session is near its end and House Speaker Tina Kotek is anxious to get House Bill 2001 approved. This bill would densify single-family zoned areas by mandating that multiplex units (up to fourplexes) be permitted in these areas. The mandate would take effect statewide for cities over 25,000 in population and in all cities in the Metro area.

The League of Oregon Cities opposes the bill because it is a mandate that takes away the ability of cities to adjust their zoning based on actual housing needs per location. It would also eliminate citizen involvement per statewide planning goals. Proponents say it creates needed housing opportunities and will provide affordability.

In reality, this bill does not address affordability. You would think that a heavy influx of new units would reduce costs, yet the rental market is rapidly becoming saturated in Portland. Rents are still highly inflated.

In addition, several studies (including ones in Kansas City and Chicago) have suggested densification actually increases costs and reduces affordability. And logically, if you demolish houses or convert them into multifamily structures, you remove houses from the market. This raises the price of remaining houses and will make them even more unaffordable to first time buyers.

HB2001 will benefit builders and investment companies, and, provide more rental units in areas that used to be predominantly houses. However, neighborhood character will change and housing affordability will still be a pipe dream.

David Krogh, Portland