LU 25-0001 Fair Housing Policy and Education
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act, also known as the federal Fair Housing Act (codified at 42 U.S.C. 3601-3619), was enacted by the United States Congress in April of 1968 and has been further clarified by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development in subsequent rules. As amended, the law, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18) and disability.
Generally speaking, the law helps to identify which issues can be legally addressed when community concerns arise, and which infringe upon the rights of others not yet living in the neighborhood or community. The intent is to achieve a balance between existing neighbors’ concerns and the right of all people to access a range of housing options and not be discriminated against.
On November 19, 2024, the City Council approved Resolution 24-36 to adopt the Lake Oswego Housing Production Strategy (HPS) as a component of the Comprehensive Plan to meet state requirements under Oregon House Bill 2003 (2019). The HPS identified Fair Housing Policy and Education as a strategy for near-term adoption, including both the adoption of legislative amendments to the Comprehensive Plan to explicitly make Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) a Housing Policy as well as education and other actions to increase access to fair housing information.
The Fair Housing and Education strategy is intended to benefit priority populations – including low-income households, people of color, people with disabilities, seniors, and other state or federal protected classes – by:
- Formalizing the City’s commitment to fair housing goals;
- Facilitating a better understanding of fair housing issues in the community; and
- Educating City staff, housing stakeholders, and community members about fair housing laws and residents’ rights.
Though the City is required to comply with federal fair housing laws regardless of whether an AFFH policy is formally adopted, the strategy is nonetheless anticipated to provide additional protections against housing discrimination and bolster the City’s focus on prioritizing housing equity and affordability in its housing programs and investments.
11/04/2025
The City Council held a public hearing on November 4, 2025, and made their final decision and adopted Ordinance 2967. The ordinance becomes effective on December 4, 2025. A link to Ordinance 2959 is available in the Public Record folder.
11/04/2025 - City Council Public Hearing
The Lake Oswego City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., to consider the proposed amendments.
The public hearing notice and staff report are available in the Public Records Folder.
To visit the meeting webpage and view the agenda and video (when available), click here.
Instructions on how to comment and participate are provided in the notice.
09/23/2025
On Monday, September 22, 2025, the Commission adopted the Findings, Conclusions, and Order, the final recommendation. The adopted Findings are available in the Public Records Folder. The City Council public hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2025. For more information regarding the Council's agenda and schedule, please contact Laural Hawkins, City Recorder, (503) 534-4225 or email.
Notices and hearing documents, can be found in the Public Records folder.
09/09/2025 - Planning Commission Public Hearing
On September 8, the Planning Commission made a preliminary recommendation that City Council approve the proposed amendments and directed staff to return with the draft Findings, Conclusions and Order for consideration at its next meeting on September 22, 2025.
09/08/2025 - Public Hearing
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, September 8, to consider the proposed amendments.
The public hearing notice and staff report are available in the Public Records Folder.
To visit the Planning Commission meeting webpage and view the agenda and video (when available), click here.
Instructions on how to comment and participate are provided in the notice.
07/28/2025 - Work Session #3
The Commission will hold a work session, documents are available in "Public Records folder", click here.
Visit the meeting webpage: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/boc_pc/planning-commission-12.
07/15/2025 - City Council Study Session
On July 15, City Council will hold a study session, the agenda packet and information on how to observe or participate can be found on the meeting webpage using this link: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/citycouncil/city-council-and-redevelopment-agency-meeting-28.
05/28/2025 - Work Session #2
The Commission will hold a work session on implementation of the Housing Production Strategy (PP 22-0005), which will include discussions of the following projects:
- Fair Housing Policy and Education (LU 25-0001);
- Mandatory Adjustments / SB 1537 (PP 24-0004);
- Rezoning for Housing Capacity (PP 25-0001);
- Comprehensive Code Audit and Amendments (PP 25-0002);
- Low-Income Rental Housing Tax Exemption (PP 25-0003); and
- Foothills District Plan Update (PP 25-0005)
Visit the meeting webpage: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/boc_pc/planning-commission-20
01/27/2025 - Work Session #1
The Commission will receive a presentation from Samuel Goldberg, Public Policy Manager at the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, with an overview of Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing policy.
Documents are available in "Public Records folder", click here.
Nov 4 2025 - 5:30pm
Sep 22 2025 - 6:30pm
Sep 8 2025 - 6:30pm
Jul 28 2025 - 6:30pm
May 28 2025 - 6:30pm
Jan 27 2025 - 6:30pm
PUBLIC RECORDS FOLDER