SALEM, Ore. — In recognition of Earth Day, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is highlighting its investment in a more sustainable future through hands-on weatherization training at the Oregon Training Institute (OTI). OTI’s training and workforce development programs prepare workers across Oregon to improve home energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and create healthier living environments, especially for low-income households. 

“Weatherization plays a vital role in alleviating the energy affordability burden faced by many Oregonians through necessary home upgrades – adding insulation, replacing heating or cooling systems, and improving windows,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “OHCS and our partners are helping keep more money in people’s pockets each year while improving quality of life. The weatherization training center also supports good-paying jobs and increases workforce readiness.” 

Located in Salem, the OTI’s weatherization training facility equips participants with the technical skills needed to upgrade existing homes, reduce energy use, and address critical health and safety concerns. 

The training program serves a wide range of participants with varying degrees of experience. Through hands-on instruction, participants learn how to install energy-saving materials, conduct diagnostic testing, and ensure homes are safe and properly ventilated before improvements are made. 

“Weatherization is very focused on the best outcomes we can have for our low-income communities and neighbors,” said Director of the Oregon Training Institute Drew Sizemore. “Any of the work we do here is to better the outcomes of weatherization work and better the outcomes for people that are in our communities.” 

Participants like Graham Hill, a Clackamas County employee, say the training has deepened both their technical knowledge and their connection to the communities they serve. 

“This training will ultimately benefit people that really need the help that can’t afford it or have some kind of barrier to getting that service,” Hill said. 

The workforce development program also addresses a critical workforce gap in Oregon’s energy efficiency sector by preparing job-ready candidates for roles with community action agencies and other service providers across the state. 

“Part of that gap is one of the reasons we started the workforce development program. We can pre-train people and get them experience ahead of time,” Sizemore said. 

Weatherization improvements also lower monthly utility costs, improve indoor air quality, and make homes safer for residents. These benefits are especially impactful for households facing high energy burdens or living in aging housing stock. 

With support from state and federal funding, OHCS and OTI continue to expand access to training and strengthen Oregon’s weatherization workforce, helping communities across the state become more resilient in the face of rising energy costs and climate challenges. 

As Sizemore put it, the impact of this work is far-reaching. 

“Everything from helping communities reduce their energy burden, also just allowing folks to live in a healthy home environment. There are not many aspects of our clients’ lived environment that our work does not positively impact.” 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) 

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

“We can no longer depend on the federal government to defend the rights of our most vulnerable communities,” said Gov. Kotek. “This bill ensures that students experiencing homelessness can be confident their rights are enshrined in state law and not subject to the whims of an unreliable federal government.” 

Students experiencing homelessness face significant barriers to academic success. An Oregon Department of Education report shows that students navigating housing instability graduate at lower rates than their peers, a gap that reflects broader systemic inequities tied to housing instability. 

“The federal McKinney‑Vento Act affirms that education is a gateway not only to learning and opportunity, but also to stability, safety, and connection. Oregon legislators reinforced this commitment by passing HB 4149,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education. “As a result, ODE will continue to deepen our work with school districts, community organizations, and all those who support and advocate for students navigating housing instability. Together, we will ensure that every scholar has equitable access to education and the opportunity to thrive alongside their housed peers.” 

Advocates and service providers across Oregon emphasized the bill’s long-term impact on preventing homelessness. 

“By guaranteeing stable education, immediate enrollment, and comprehensive support for students experiencing homelessness, we're addressing one of the root causes of intergenerational poverty and homelessness,” said Mary Ferrell, executive director of Maslow Project. “When children can remain in their school of origin, maintain consistent relationships with teachers and friends, and access the services they need to thrive, we fundamentally change their life trajectory." 

With House Bill 4149 now law, Oregon reinforces its commitment to addressing homelessness at its roots by ensuring that students experiencing housing instability have the support they need to stay in school and succeed. 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) 

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

This month marks 58 years since the passage of the Fair Housing Act.

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) celebrates April as Fair Housing Month in Oregon following Governor Tina Kotek's proclamation. The designation recognizes the state’s ongoing work to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities to all Oregonians.

“Where you live is more than an address. It is deeply connected to circumstances that can make your life better or harder,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “All Oregonians deserve the freedom and reliability of a well-resourced neighborhood, community, and state that cherishes its residents and remains tangibly accountable for ensuring no communities are left behind.” 

Each April, Fair Housing Month commemorates the passage of the Fair Housing Act, a landmark federal law signed on April 11, 1968, that made discrimination in housing illegal and established critical protections based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. 

OHCS, in partnership with Fair Housing Council of Oregon, is offering a series of fair housing trainings throughout 2026. These are free webinars for those interested in learning more about fair housing issues statewide and how to prevent illegal discrimination in Oregon. For more information about fair housing rights, visit the Fair Housing Council of Oregon website. OHCS will also be posting fair housing resources throughout April on social media. 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) 

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.