skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 7, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Gov. Kotek's budget supports first-time homebuyer assistance

play audio
Play

Wednesday, January 22, 2025   

More than half of all renters in Oregon and a third of homeowners experience a housing cost burden, according to new research. Housing advocates say investing $45 million in down payment assistance will help open the door to homeownership.

Karen Saxe, director of policy, advocacy, and strategic relationships with Dev Northwest, said Culturally Responsive Organization Down Payment Assistance funds would help lessen the gap between rising housing prices and what people can actually afford.

"Our team works with people every day that have put in the hard work and face the ongoing challenge of saving for a down payment as prices throughout their lives continue to climb," she explained.

In many cases, rent can be higher than a mortgage payment would be for a similarly sized house or condo. The down payment assistance is part of Governor Kotek's proposed budget for 2025 to 2027, and is expected to directly benefit 750 first-time homebuyers.

Challenges with buying a home are more severe for first-generation homebuyers, many of whom are people of color. Saxe explains the organizations receiving the funding, including her own, are culturally responsive, meaning they cater to the needs of the communities they serve.

"So that might be language access. That might be when classes or counseling are offered. It might be the amount of down payment assistance," she continued.

Oregon Housing and Community Services' first "state of the state's housing" report found that for every dollar Oregonians earned in wage increases, the median sales price of a home increased by over $7. Though she says there is still a long way to go, Saxe is optimistic that Oregon is heading in the right direction.

"It's exciting to see the governor's request budget, when we were seeing investments in a home ownership like we've never seen before," she said.

Saxe added that Dev Northwest's average client needs about $40,000 in down payment assistance in order to make a mortgage affordable.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021