Big Moves on Housing and Smart Urbanization
Newly constructed townhomes in Northeast Bend.
State action, local impact
The State’s Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) rules are an important step toward expanding access to affordable, accessible, and diverse housing options in every Oregon community.
After a two-year state process, these rules are now under consideration for adoption in December 2025 by the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC). LandWatch has been involved in this process since the very beginning.
We support OHNA (with a few key adjustments) because these rules recognize that Oregon’s housing shortage is not just about the number of homes, but also about who has access to them and where they are located. These rules also support smarter urbanization by boosting development ready land within UGBs and better addressing infrastructure challenges consistent with the appropriate protection of resource lands.
In other words, these rules help communities center and answer the key question: What are we building, for who, and where? This will result in more roofs over more heads more quickly and the creation of housing options in areas that are great places to call home.
WHAT’S NEXT
Bend will be one of the first communities in the state integrating both the OHNA and Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) rules into our Growth Plan process. These rules are literally going to shape the livable future of our community, and we’ll continue to dive deep, show up, and let you know how to make your voice heard.
