Housing Affordability, Housing Livability, Housing First
- “A healthy housing industry is the critical component to building a strong community. Local governments acknowledge that they need the HBA of Portland as a critical stakeholder to build their communities.”
- - Jamie Howsley, Jordan Ramis PC
HBA directly represents members across six counties and over forty local jurisdictions, advocating on issues that affect housing affordability and livability. The six counties the HBA represents are Clackamas County, Columbia County, Hood River County, Multnomah County, Washington County, and Yamhill County.
With housing affordability remaining one of the greatest challenges facing the greater Portland area, our advocacy team is focused on building meaningful relationships with policymakers and community stakeholders to advance pro-housing solutions. Our goal is to serve as a proactive agent of change, facilitating housing affordability, availability, and choice for all who reside in the greater Portland area.
To get involved in HBA’s advocacy and learn more, join the Government Affairs Committee, Portland Building and Urban Development Council, or contribute to our political action committee, Oregonians for Affordable Housing.
With housing affordability remaining one of the greatest challenges facing the greater Portland area, our advocacy team is focused on building meaningful relationships with policymakers and community stakeholders to advance pro-housing solutions. Our goal is to serve as a proactive agent of change, facilitating housing affordability, availability, and choice for all who reside in the greater Portland area.
To get involved in HBA’s advocacy and learn more, join the Government Affairs Committee, Portland Building and Urban Development Council, or contribute to our political action committee, Oregonians for Affordable Housing.
MEet your government affairs team
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Ben Hemson, Director of Policy and Government Affairs
Click here to email Ben Ben Hemson joined the HBA of Greater Portland in July 2025. He leads the HBA’s Government Affairs Department, representing and engaging HBA members with local governments on issues relating to new home construction, including available land supply, permitting timelines, and cost of development. Ben brings nearly a decade of experience from the City of Bend, where he oversaw business relations and served as manager of the Economic Development Division. His work included advancing local policy, managing economic development tools, participating in growth plan efforts, and navigating land use and permitting processes. Before joining the City of Bend, he worked with energy industry associations on policy and communications efforts in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia. A Portland-area native and Wilsonville High grad, Ben holds a B.S. from OSU and a master’s in Political Science–Public Affairs from the University of Florida. |
Deputy Director of Government Affairs
Vacant
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SUPPORT OUR Political Action Committee
The HBA’s Political Action Committee (PAC), Oregonians for Affordable Housing (OFAH), supports housing and business-friendly candidates and measures locally and at the state level.
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