Oregon Legislation Would End Mortgage Interest Deduction for Second Homes

A bill currently in committee in Oregon would raise revenue for the state's housing accounts by ending a subsidy used only by residents who own more than one property around the state.

1 minute read

March 20, 2017, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Beach Homes

Tyler McKay / Shutterstock

"Three proposed bills in the Oregon Legislature aim to address housing affordability across the state," reports Whitney M. Woodworth.

The non-traditional approach of these bills, however, will be sure to raise some eyebrows. "Two seek to increase homeownership by providing grants for low-income households and creating a task force to address racial disparities," according to Woodworth. "The other would seriously alter a tax deduction used by hundred of thousands of Oregon homeowners." That third bill would use the additional revenue generated by the end of the subsidy to fund the state's Home Ownership Assistance Accounts, the General Housing Account, and the Emergency Housing Account.

According to Woodworth's account of a recent public hearing held by the Oregon House Committee on Human Services and Housing, the public has already responded to bill that would reform the state's mortgage interest deduction. Perhaps surprisingly, Woodworth says that most at Thursday's meeting favored the change, while only three attendees voiced opposition. 

Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Statesman Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square