2019 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 07 - Public Facilities and Finance
Chapter 280 - Financing of Local Public Projects and Improvements; City and County Economic Development
Section 280.415 - Legislative findings.

(1) Cities with a population of 70,000 or more should be granted the powers granted to the state by ORS 285B.320 to 285B.371 in order to reduce substantially within their boundaries the occurrence of economic conditions requiring more expensive remedial action. There exist in Oregon’s larger cities substantial adverse economic conditions requiring immediate remedial action. Such conditions include decreasing opportunities for gainful employment and lack of sites and facilities for orderly and necessary retail, commercial and industrial growth. Amelioration of these conditions is deemed a public purpose and the acquisition of property for such purpose is deemed a public use. To meet the needs of these cities it is necessary to grant them full authority to undertake and complete development and redevelopment projects, and to assist public and private organizations engaged in such projects, including the issuance of industrial or other nonrecourse revenue bonds. It is the purpose of ORS 280.410 to 280.485 to authorize the exercise of such powers by cities with a population of 70,000 in addition to and not in lieu of any other powers such cities may possess.

(2) The lack of residential housing in the core and inner areas of Oregon’s larger cities also is a cause of adverse economic conditions. Development of housing in such areas can be a factor which contributes to orderly economic growth by providing decent housing for workers necessary to attract and promote desirable retail, commercial and industrial growth. Therefore it is also the purpose of ORS 280.410 to 280.485 to permit cities with a population of 70,000 or more authority to issue revenue bonds for housing purposes. The Legislative Assembly, in granting this authority, intends to increase Oregon’s available housing stock. In exercising options under that authority, preference should be given by cities to those projects which add housing units through new construction or rehabilitation of nonresidential buildings. For low income single room occupancy housing, however, cities may renovate existing single room housing, convert nonresidential buildings or construct new buildings.

(3) Cities with a population of 70,000 or more suffer from a lack of available mortgage financing for the purchase of multiple unit homes in such cities. There is a need for a low-cost mortgage financing for multiple unit home purchasers in order to prevent urban decay and blight and to promote the economic well-being of those cities. [1977 c.772 §1; 1979 c.865 §2; 1981 c.368 §2; 2003 c.286 §2]