The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness convened on April 21, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding housing ownership and occupancy rates in Oregon. The meeting focused on a proposed bill aimed at increasing transparency in property ownership and addressing challenges in the rental market.

The session began with discussions on the complexities of private equity ownership in housing. Committee members expressed concerns that much of this ownership is obscured by shell corporations, making it difficult to ascertain whether properties are owned by in-state or out-of-state entities. A proposed questionnaire within the bill aims to clarify these ownership structures.

Representative Phoebe raised concerns about the challenges of measuring occupancy rates, particularly in Eugene, where high-end student housing developments reportedly have low occupancy levels. This situation complicates decisions regarding the construction of additional housing. Chair Marsh acknowledged the difficulty of capturing accurate occupancy data, especially since the bill addresses both long-term and short-term rentals, which can fluctuate daily.

The committee also discussed the potential inclusion of occupancy data in the bill. However, it was noted that previous iterations of the bill attempted to address this issue but were ultimately removed due to fiscal concerns and complexity.

Further discussions highlighted the influence of large private equity firms, such as BlackRock, on the housing market. It was noted that these firms tend to invest in regions with favorable eviction laws, which are not prevalent in Oregon. This raised questions about the relevance of the proposed ownership list, given that over 70% of rental properties are owned by individuals rather than private equity firms.

The meeting concluded with a call for further examination of the proposed bill and its implications for housing transparency and market dynamics in Oregon. The committee plans to continue discussions on these pressing issues in future sessions.