Rep. Drazan: Call for accountability, new leadership at housing agency

Representative Drazan Repeats Call For Accountability, New Leadership At Housing Agency
State Representative Christine Drazan,

Legislature votes to extend program without plan for addressing issues that have plagued rollout

SALEM, Ore. – State Representative Christine Drazan (R-Canby)  renewed her call for accountability and new leadership at the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) in the wake of the agency’s repeated failures to manage the state’s emergency rental assistance program. Representative Drazan again stressed the need for accountability after the Legislature voted to extend the program without a clear plan for addressing the issues that have plagued its rollout.

“Oregonians across the state are frustrated with how the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department has managed this program, and they should be,” said Representative Drazan. “Thousands of vulnerable renters have been left hanging in the balance while they wait for this agency to get its act together. Oregonians deserve accountability for this agency’s repeated failures. I once again urge Governor Brown to make a change in leadership at OHCS and to take concrete steps to finally get this program on track.”

Representative Drazan previously called on Governor Brown to replace OHCS Director Margaret Salazar on Friday, in advance of today’s special session.

“I will not vote to extend a program that has let down so many people without a change in leadership at OHCS, a clear plan for addressing these failures immediately, and a commitment from this Legislature to exercise proper oversight by ensuring that Oregonians have access to a functioning agency. It’s long past time for us to step in and right this ship,” concluded Representative Drazan.