Around the nation and in Oregon, millions of renters are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing rents, soaring inflation and stagnant incomes. For decades, Congress has underinvested in proven housing solutions, but this year, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and other members of Congress have a real opportunity to provide our state with the resources we need to help address homelessness and hunger.

The underlying cause of our nation’s housing crisis is a severe shortage of homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes. This isn’t just a problem in Oregon, where there are fewer than three homes for every 10 extremely low-income households: no state has enough housing for those with the greatest needs.

Fortunately, Congress has the opportunity to expand and reform America’s largest source of financing for affordable housing – the Low Income Housing Tax Credit – so that it can reach those most in need of housing.

The tax credit is an important resource for building more affordable homes, but it too often does not serve our lowest-income and most marginalized neighbors – housed or unhoused. As Congress – led by Senator Wyden as chair of the tax committee – works to pass tax legislation known as “tax extenders,” it is critical that policymakers use the opportunity to expand the housing tax credit and reform it to create new incentives and tools to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Oregon and across the country.

We know what is needed. We just need the political will to do what’s needed.

Brian Hoop, Portland

Hoop is executive director of Housing Oregon

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