Oregon Housing Construction Permits Surge, Despite Christine Drazan’s Opposition to Pro-Housing Policies

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

Portland, OR - A new report from the United States Census Bureau shows that housing starts in Oregon are up 11.3% in the first half of 2026, compared to a 1.3% decrease nationwide. This news comes in spite of efforts by Republicans like Christine Drazan to block policies that would grow Oregon's supply of housing.

Despite claims on her campaign website that she would "slash regulatory red tape that drives up construction costs," and "fast-track permitting and enforce permitting deadlines," her own voting record shows that she would do the opposite:

• She voted no on HB 4036, which established the Housing Opportunity, Longevity and Durability Fund to preserve affordable housing supply.
• She failed to cast a vote on HB 3589, which allocated funds that help Oregon seniors continue to afford to stay in their homes.
• She opposed HB 2001, which cut red tape and made it easier to develop multi-unit housing such as duplexes.
• She voted against HB 2698, a bipartisan bill to establish a statewide goal for homeownership.
• She was one of only 3 Senate "no" votes against SB 1567, a bill to create loans for the development of mixed-income housing.

At a time when Oregon is delivering on accelerating housing supply, Drazan's voting record paints the picture of someone who would drag the state backwards.

"The housing crisis in Oregon is real, and solving it requires real leadership," said Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Nathan Soltz. "Christine Drazan represents everything that is wrong with the Party of No: opposing every solution, and then insisting she can solve the problem despite providing zero evidence that she has a plan. If Christine Drazan doesn't have a solution, the least she can do is get out of the way of real leaders who are trying to make life better for Oregonians."

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