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Senate District 24 rests on the traditional ancestral lands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Cowlitz bands of Chinook, Talatin, Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. As a former refugee from Africa, who now resides on this stolen land, I pledge to share in the struggle and fight for Native sovereignty, decolonization, and collective liberation alongside our Indigenous communities.
Senator Kayse Jama
Salaam Friends,
I hope the New Year brings the promise of hope and prosperity to all. As our office prepares for the 2024 Legislative Session, I want to share updates on our plans and priorities for the coming session.
It is my goal to represent District 24 as transparently and effectively as possible, and I encourage everyone to share their thoughts, opinions, and concerns with us so that we may better serve you. Our contact information is located at the end of this newsletter - we look forward to hearing from you.
HOUSING PRIORITIES
I am proud to serve as the chair of the Senate Committee on Housing and Development and am fiercely committed to finding solutions to our state’s housing and homelessness crisis. Our office's strategy for addressing this crisis has been guided by 4 main principles: (1) strengthening housing stability, (2) addressing homelessness, (3) improving homeownership access, and (4) increasing housing production. While the final details have yet to be worked out in committee, our office has identified several key areas for investment that will keep Oregonians in their homes and encourage increased housing production across the state.
We know that the most effective way to reduce levels of homelessness is to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. As COVID-related eviction prevention funds dry up and rents continue to rise faster than wages, more and more Oregonians face the risk of eviction. Since the expiration of pandemic-era eviction moratoriums, Oregon has seen more than 2,100 eviction filings per month, a 45% increase over pre-pandemic levels. If we fail to act now, thousands more Oregonians will be forced from their homes. To mitigate the many downstream harms of widespread eviction, our office has proposed significant investment in Rental Assistance Programs that offer emergency funds to tenants in need. We further advocate for the distribution of a portion of these funds to culturally specific organizations, who will work to mitigate the impacts of the housing crisis that disproportionately impact communities of color.
Keeping Oregonians housed and off the streets will reduce future strain on our already-burdened shelter system. A recent statewide shelter survey conducted by Oregon Housing and Community Services identifies more than 50 shelters at risk of closure due to funding shortages. Shelters are not the answer to our housing crisis, but they do provide a vital stopgap for Oregonians experiencing homelessness. In my capacity as Housing Chair, I have recommended fully funding the shelters listed in this survey to protect our most vulnerable neighbors and ensure that everyone has a safe place to sleep.
While investing in rental assistance and emergency shelters will lessen the immediate impacts of the housing crisis, we recognize that these are only short-term solutions. To build an economically sustainable, equitable community, we must create more pathways for first-time homeownership. My housing package outlines funding for Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), which help individuals save for home purchase through matching grants and financial coaching. It also allocates funds for the Land Acquisition Revolving Loan Program (LAP) to assist non-profits - including several here in Senate District 24 - with the purchase and production of affordable housing. 40% of funds distributed through these loans must be reserved for low-income homeownership.
Finally, we recognize that the legislature must urgently and comprehensively identify strategies to increase housing production in our state. Oregon has dramatically underbuilt housing in recent decades, and our housing supply is woefully short as a result. If we are to ensure that Oregon has enough housing units for its growing population in the coming years, we must ease cost burdens on our cities, streamline application approval processes, and provide supplemental infrastructure funding. I am committed to partnering with the Governor’s Office, legislative leaders, and other stakeholders to outline a housing production strategy that keeps us on track to meet our goals without compromising on affordability or density. Housing justice, environmental responsibility, and economic equality are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they are complementary. We must center our climate and our most marginalized communities as we work to house all Oregonians.
These policy proposals were included in Legislative Concept 155 and Legislative Concept 158 which were introduced as Senate Committee on Housing and Development's Committee Bills. These two legislative concepts are conversation starters and I look forward to diving into these policy ideas more deeply during the session.
PERSONAL PRIORITY BILLS
SB 1532 - Immigrant and Refugee Student Success Plan
In recent years, the legislature has partnered with the Oregon Department of Education to design and implement specific Student Success plans designed to better support historically and currently marginalized students, youth, and their surrounding communities through targeted investment and statewide policies that aim to reduce learning and inclusion disparities, close opportunity gaps, and maintain safety and well-being among all students.
This year, we hope to build on these investments by establishing a Student Success Plan catered to the unique needs of immigrant and refugee students. As a community organizer, advocate, and former refugee, I know all too well the challenges that these students face in our schools. From language barriers to ongoing mental health needs in the wake of trauma and persecution, students new to our nation and state require specific support to succeed in the classroom. This bill would provide immigrant and refugee students with vital resources such as translators, tailored study plans, training and technical support for students, families, educators, staff, and community-based organizations. I believe we have a responsibility to make Oregon a place where all are welcome and all can succeed. I am proud to sponsor this Student Success Plan in pursuit of that goal.
The bill summary can be viewed HERE.
SB 1533 - Expanding Voter Pamphlet Translations
While translation services are essential for ensuring equity in our schools, many Oregonians also face language barriers when it comes to voting and fully participating in our democracy. In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 3021, which required the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office to translate the voter pamphlet into the top 5 most commonly spoken languages in every Oregon county. This bill, championed by Representative Khanh Pham (Outer South East Portland), took the important step of ensuring that more Oregonians can meaningfully understand what - and who - they are voting for. The voters’ pamphlet is one of the most important tools for Oregon voters, and making it accessible to all is essential to guaranteeing equal opportunity for democratic participation.
Since 2021, advocates have identified further language needs in our voting processes. I am proud to introduce SB 1533 which would expand the number of languages into which the voters' pamphlet is translated from 5 to 10. It is my sincere hope that this legislation passes and continues to make Oregon the national leader in ensuring that our elections are open, fair, and accessible to all.
The bill summary can be viewed HERE.
Other Priorities
In addition to introducing their own priority bills, legislative offices have the option to sponsor legislative concepts introduced by other offices. This session, I am thrilled to sign on as a Regular Sponsor to about 35 pieces of legislation and as Chief Sponsor to 3 legislations:
1. SB 1583, introduced by Senator Lew Frederick (North and North East Portland), would prohibit discrimination when selecting textbooks, instructional and program materials, or library books in public schools (a ban on book bans).
2. Legislative Concept 54, introduced by Senator Chris Gorsek (Gresham), would increase the amounts that are protected from debt collectors and improving some laws related to bad debt collection methods.
3. Legislative Concept 225, introduced by Representative David Gomberg (Otis), would aim to better protect Oregon’s Marine Reserves by funding and planning for the continued conservation of these valuable natural spaces.
JOINT TOWN HALL
In addition to calling or emailing our office, we invite you to participate in any of our in-person town halls, I would be pleased to see you at a Joint Town Hall held by Representatives Andrea Valderrama (Outer East Portland) and Hoa Nguyen (North Clackamas) and myself tomorrow, January 18th at 6:00 PM.
The town hall will be hosted by our gracious friends at Our Just Future at 10550 NE Halsey St. Portland, OR 97220. Join us for an evening of discussion, education, and sharing. I look forward to meeting you there.
I wish you all well in the coming months. Please stay posted for an update from my office as we reach the end of the short session, and as always, do not hesitate to contact us with your questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
 Kayse Jama
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1724
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-409, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.KayseJama@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/jama
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