Night of Wine and Roses

BY: TERESA SPANGLER, HBF STAFF

The Home Building Foundation is the winner of more than $400,000 from the Kentucky Derby-themed 2023 Building Hope Gala and Auction. Presenting Sponsor California Closet, and host Tumwater Vineyards helped us draw a parade of hatwearing guests to the winery tasting room. Our loyal supporters outdid themselves with their outfit-coordinated hats, jaunty fascinators, and fedoras. Brightly colored summer dresses and creative suits gave the room a summer vibe, which matched the gorgeous weather outside.

The boisterous, sold-out crowd enjoyed live jazz music and signature cocktails at the pre-event reception before heading into the beautifully decorated tent. Veteran HBF supporter and Honorary Chair Jim Standring tells us standing on the podium made him feel old! “Looking out at the audience I saw so many younger faces! Those folks are the future of both the Foundation and the Association!”

Off to the Races

The live auction started out a bit like a horse race. The crowd bought up all the Golden Tickets prior to the auction beginning. The Golden Ticket gives the winner the option to pick anything they want from the live auction. But, the ticket had a surprise three-way finish. First, HBF Board member Jason Behunin’s wife Jill won the raffle, but she donated her prize back to the auction. Next, HBF Board member Brian Boggs won but also put the prize back into the running. Finally, Randy VanaLant of Macadam Flooring and Design won the race. He chose a cellar worth of wine donated by the Home Building Association, thanks to the coordination by HBF Board member Jeremy Osterholm. In total, $20,000 was raised for HBF from the Golden Ticket alone.

A touching moment came when it came time for a long-time tradition, auctioning off long-time HBF supporter George Lorance’s vest. The vest had been sold off his back at the first HBF auction back in 1997. Sadly, Lorance passed away this past winter. The crowd showed their love and support for Lorance with lively bidding. But, fittingly, his daughter Tory Lorance Weiss made the winning bid on the vest. “We were thrilled to have Tory attend the Gala this year and it certainly turned out to be an emotional night that showed the love felt for George and his long-time support of HBF,” said Brenda Ketah, Home Building Foundation Executive Director.

As the live auction wound down, the crowd sat rapt with attention while they watched a video about HBF’s 2022 project for HomePlate Youth Services. Following the video, Honorary Chairs Luke Morley and Jim Standring brought us into the final stretch by revealing to the auction crowd that HBF had secured a $50,000 matching fund from the Ritz Family Foundation to encourage the crowd to give. Their winning words helped bring the special appeal total to nearly $175,000. Chair Morley tells us he thought the energy in the crowd was terrific! “They were respectful and attentive at the appropriate times and gave with great generosity. Probably the best crowd I’ve seen in my 25 years attending the HBF auction.”

Volunteer Power:

Many volunteers are needed behind the scenes to make this event happen. The event theme featured a red rose motif. Our loyal group of Gala volunteers joined Michele Bundy the day before the event, and put together the gorgeous rose centerpieces. This volunteer team works for nearly a year before the event to make every detail perfect.

Hats off to all of the team, Honorary Chairs Jim Standring and Luke Morley, Chair Sybil Fontaine, WFG Title, Michele Bundy, Premiere Property Group, Adrienne Butzer, Environmental Works, Merissa Cooper, Directors Mortgage, Russ Eisenberg, Gold Heat, Julie Farrell, Directors

Night of Wine and Roses

BY: TERESA SPANGLER, HBF STAFF

Mortgage, Melissa Galland, DO&Be, Nicole Kypreos, California Closets, Heather Mootz, Fidelity National Title, Gwen Ozaki, Oregonian/Oregon Live, Brooklyn Robinson, Premiere Property Group, Andrea Smith, Environmental Works, Jeffery Tamburro, NW Natural, Samantha Tamtreng, Environmental Works, Brittainy Tiffany, Tiffany Home Design, Kelli Upkes, Realty Solutions. And a special shout out to Martina McDowell, a staff spouse who always is ready to help.

Gala Sponsors

Generous sponsors are key to giving the Gala its sophisticated touch. Thank you to Presenting Sponsor California Closets. Our Platinum Sponsors are Builders First Source, Performance Insulation, RidgeCrest Custom Cabinetry, Standard TV and Appliance,

Tiffany Home Design, Milgard Windows and Doors, and Delap. Gold Sponsors are NW Natural, OrePac, OregonLiveThe Oregonian, Pamplin Media Group, and Tumwater Vineyard. Silver Sponsors are Eastbank Mortgage, First American Title Insurance Company of Oregon, Lennar, Macadam Floor and Design, and Metropolitan Land Group. Bronze sponsors are Banner Bank, Environmental Works, Fidelity National Title, Holt Homes, International Wood Products, Lawyers Title, Parr, Payne West, PWB, Safe & Hound, Taylor Morrison, WDG National Title Insurance Company, and Royal Restrooms. A long list of community partners also donated items to both our live event and silent auction, which allowed folks who couldn’t make the event to still help support HBF.

Spreading the Wealth

The event raised spirits for other people in our community as well. Some of the red rose centerpieces went to the Good Neighbor Center for their dinner tables. Because of money raised by successful Galas like this one, HBF, and the building community have completed two remodeling projects for this transitional home for families living in homelessness. Continued financial support brings us hope we can continue to change lives, and make happy memories for many years to come.

If you’d like to become involved with the 2024 HBF Gala, please contact Kyle Ellerbe, Kylee@hbapdx.org.

Legislative Session Ends with Historic Wins, Nail-Biting Defeat

BY PRESTON KORST, HBA DIRECTOR OF POLICY & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Last month Oregon’s legislative session ended with historic wins for housing, as well as a last-minute, nail-biting defeat on a key bill for the industry. Although the session’s challenges were plenty, (including a historic 42-day walkout) our affiliated state association staff and lobbying teams led by OHBA CEO Jodi Hack fought hard until the very last minute.

Similar to previous sessions, this year witnessed the introduction of an extensive number of bills – nearly 3,000. OHBA’s dedicated staff and Government Affairs Committee undertook the herculean challenge of carefully reviewing each bill, determining our association’s level of support, opposition, and decision to participate in the legislative process. In total, our association was involved in several hundred pieces of legislation at various stages of development—from legislative concepts to bill signings.

HB 3414: A Last-Minute Defeat

A top priority bill for our members and Governor Kotek was HB 3414, which would have ushered in new mechanisms to boost housing supply. The bill would have established the Housing Production & Accountability Office, whose aim would’ve been to assist builders in reducing permitting and land use barriers, in addition to limiting local government’s ability to deny an application for adjustment/variance from land use regulations if the project was within an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).

It also included a one-time provision that would have enabled certain cities to bring land from the Urban Reserve into the UGB, allowing those with populations greater than 25,000 to expand by 150 net buildable acres, and cities with a population of less than 25,000 up to 75 net buildable acres. There was also an affordability tool included in this, totaling 30% for a combination of middle-income, workforce, and affordable multifamily rental units. OHBA issued several Calls-to-Action on this bill, multiple members testified on several occasions and staff worked tirelessly alongside legislators, the Governor, and her team in support of its progress.

However, in the very last hours of session, HB 3414 hit the Senate floor after passing out of the House. Eight Republicans and seven Democrats stayed strong by voting yes. But in the end, 10 Democrats voted no, while another 4 Republicans and 1 Independent were absent from the floor, leaving the bill to fail by just one vote. There was an opportunity for the Senate to take the bill up for reconsideration, but the Senate President would not allow the motion, leaving the vote as it stands, effectively killing the legislation.

Through it all Jodi Hack, OHBA’s CEO, led the hard-fought effort of this bill from concept to its near-passage in a session fraught with historic difficulties. Looking ahead, our association will continue to ensure the legislative concepts found within this bill will have other avenues to move forward—including the Governor’s Housing Production Advisory Council, a 25-member body of experts charged with developing an action plan to increase housing production in the state.

Housing Industry Wins

Of course, there were plenty of legislative wins that will benefit our industry. Below is a partial list of legislation that was important to our members. For more details, visit our website at HBAPDX.ORG.

• HB 2001 & 2889 – Establishing and Modifying the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis. Passed

• HB 3395 – Omnibus Housing Package. Passed

• HB 2198 – Reach Codes. Failed

• HB 2192 – Rebuilding in Forest Zones After a Disaster. Passed

• SB 82 – Insurance & Wildfire Risk Map. Passed

• HB 2984 – Office to Residential Conversions. Passed

• SB 644 – Easing Development of Rural Residential ADUs. Passed

• SB 4 – Utilizing the Federal CHIPS & Science Act (SemiConductors). Passed

• HB 2057 — Contractor Wage Liability Bill. Failed

• HB 2426 – Self-Serve Gas. Passed

• I-5 Bridge Funding Up-Date – $1B Secured to Move Project Forward. Passed

• SB 976 & HB 3010 – Eliminating 2nd Home Mortgage Interest Deduction & Adding Means Testing. Failed

We want to thank everyone who stepped up and offered time and expertise to support this immense effort. Especially important to our successes this session were those who provided in-person and written testimony, made phone calls, emailed legislators, and engaged through our CALLS TO ACTION – it truly made a difference! We didn’t get all that we wanted but we’ll keep working to prepare for our next opportunity…