Housing: Density, Sprawl, or Homelessness – Choose One
Oregon is in a housing crisis. A recent State report showed that Oregon needs to create over 550,000 new housing units over the next 20 years. One-third of these need to be affordable to first-time home buyers and renters, many of whom already have to pay rents exceeding 50% of their income. The entire land-use process needs to be reviewed in order to simplify and streamline the approval and permitting process. Our panel will offer their perspectives on solutions to meet our state’s housing needs.
Speakers
Andy Shaw
– Director of Government Affairs at Metro
Andy is the Director of Government Affairs at Metro and is currently the Interim Director of Planning, Development, and Research. Metro is the greater Portland metropolitan area’s elected regional government responsible for land use and transportation planning; solid waste disposal; parks and natural area operations; and management of the Oregon Zoo, Convention and Expo Centers, and Center for Performing Arts. Prior to his current role, Andy was the Chief of Staff for then-Metro Council President Tom Hughes. Before joining Metro, Andy worked in government affairs at the Oregon League of Cities focusing on transportation and municipal finance. Andy has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from California State University Sacramento and worked in the California State Legislature for 10 years before moving to Oregon in 2005.
Tootie Smith
– Chair of Clackamas County Board of Commissioners
Tootie is a fourth-generation Clackamas County resident. Tootie was the firstborn of three siblings growing up on a farm in south Clackamas County, Oregon. Farming taught Tootie self-sufficiency, independence, and hard work. She ultimately turned these early lessons into leadership qualities and began the Prairie House Inn Bed and Breakfast, a historical hospitality site in her hometown of Molalla.
Tootie is a published author of the book, “Pay to Play: Sexual Harassment American Style” available on Amazon. She also speaks to groups on leadership and behavioral morals in the workplace. She is a graduate of Concordia University and Mt Hood Community College.
She still lives in Molalla with her husband, Nate, of 42 years. They own Meadowbrook Hill farm, a hazelnut farm.
Preston Korst
– Director of Policy and Government Affairs with the Home Builders Association
Preston is the Government Affairs Director at the Home Building Association of Greater Portland. He manages the organization’s political and public policy work at the local level, advocating across six counties and over forty jurisdictions on issues that affect housing affordability and livability. Before the HBA, Preston was the Director of Government Relations at Habitat for Humanity in Portland, where for five years he worked in various capacities to support governmental funding, zoning reform, and coalition building for affordable housing projects throughout the region.
While at Habitat, he also led the government grants program that drew on millions of dollars from a variety of sources at the federal, state, and local levels. He began his career working on local political campaigns in Portland and then for two members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation while earning his Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and Master’s degree from the University of Portland.
Dave Hunnicutt
– President of Oregon Property Owners Association
Dave Hunnicutt is the President of the Oregon Property Owners Association. OPOA is active in the legislature and courts to protect Oregon property owners from excessive state and federal regulations.
For nearly 25 years, Dave has represented Oregon property owners in the Capitol, and in courts throughout Oregon. As a registered Oregon lobbyist, Dave has successfully advocated for the passage of legislation to protect Oregon property owners in all areas of real property law. Dave has appeared and argued before the Oregon Supreme Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, multiple Oregon agencies, and in circuit courts throughout Oregon. Since 1996, over 60 OPOA/OIA bills have been enacted into law.
An active member of the Oregon State Bar, Dave represents Oregon property owners in litigation in courts and agencies throughout Oregon. Dave has appeared and argued before the Oregon Supreme Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, multiple Oregon agencies, and in circuit courts throughout Oregon.
Dave received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon and his Juris Doctorate from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College.