Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has established a new state office to support housing production and enforce housing production laws.

The Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO) stems from legislation enacted in 2024. The office will bolster housing production by creating a more predictable regulatory environment and providing resources to local governments, the governor’s office stated in a news release on Tuesday.

HAPO can be a “missing catalyst” to boost housing production, Kotek stated.

“My North Star is for every Oregonian to be able to afford a home,” she stated. “Our economic prosperity depends on it. I believe that we can get this done. And, it is still a monumental task. Many counties, cities, and builders have leaned in to tackle this generational crisis, and the state should do everything possible to make it easier.”

HAPO is a joint office of the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Building Codes Division, which is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

The office will offer technical assistance but also enforce state housing production laws by investigating noncompliance and working with local governments to address issues. The office will also work to identify state resources for developers and local governments, and conduct research on housing production.

HAPO is jointly managed by Joel Madsen and Tony Rocco. The new office was created by Senate Bill 1537 in 2024.

“The Housing Accountability and Production Office will serve as a bridge between our local government partners and our housing developers and builders across the state,” Rocco stated. “We have the tools to support collaboration on the foundational goal we all share of building more safe, efficient and cost-effective housing for all Oregonians.”

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