Empty homes don't create community.
1 in 7 homes in Astoria sits empty most of the year—many of them second homes and vacation homes—while working families struggle to find a place to live. We’re proposing a ballot measure to create a Community Housing Fund for local housing solutions, funded by an Empty Homes Tax on homes kept vacant. Together, we can help ensure Astoria remains livable for the people who live and work here.
Get InvolvedThe Challenge
Astoria faces a growing housing crisis that affects our entire community:
- 1 in 7 homes sit empty most of the year, often used as vacation or second homes
- Housing costs have skyrocketed, pricing out working families and longtime residents
- Essential workers struggle to find affordable housing near their jobs
- Our community fabric is fraying as neighbors are forced to move away
669 homes in Astoria are vacant or used for seasonal purposes—not available for residents who need them.
Source: Clatsop County Housing Data 2025Half of Astoria's renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing—the threshold for affordability.
Source: Astoria Housing Supply Assessment, March 2025These families spend over half their income just on rent—leaving little for food, healthcare, or savings.
Source: Astoria Housing Supply Assessment, March 2025Astoria is officially classified as a "severely rent-burdened" city under Oregon House Bill 4006—one of only a handful of cities in the state with this designation.
Empty homes drive up housing costs for everyone who calls Astoria home, while providing no benefit to our schools, businesses, or civic life.
The Solution
We're proposing the Astoria Community Housing Fund—a citywide ballot initiative that would create a dedicated fund for housing access and stability programs, sustained through an Empty Homes Tax on residential properties kept vacant for more than half the year (182+ days).
If you live in your home or rent it out, you don't pay. This only applies to homes that sit empty most of the year.
This measure discourages long-term residential vacancy by charging a tax only when a home is kept unused for more than half the year, and it puts the money into a dedicated Astoria housing fund to help keep homes available and affordable for people who live and work here.
Fairness
Local residents already support Astoria by living and working here. This ensures absentee owners help offset the impact of their vacant properties on the community.
Choice
Property owners may keep their homes vacant if they choose—but offset the impact of that vacancy on our housing market.
Local Investment
Every dollar collected stays in Astoria and goes directly toward housing Astorians. No state or federal middlemen.
How It Works
The proposed Astoria Community Housing Fund would be designed to be fair, transparent, and effective:
Empty Homes Tax
Owners report occupancy status annually with a simple form. If you live in your home or rent it out, you check a box confirming that—it's straightforward.
Dedicated Fund
All revenue would be placed into a dedicated Community Housing Fund—intended to be legally protected and used exclusively for housing Astorians.
Annual Public Reporting
The City will publish an annual report detailing how funds are collected and spent, ensuring full transparency and public accountability.
Common-Sense Exemptions
Homes under renovation, in probate, or with owners facing medical needs or financial hardship are exempt—real-life situations are protected.
How the Fund Can Be Used:
- Expanding housing opportunities with grants, loans, and infrastructure support for qualified housing development
- Building pathways to homeownership through city-funded down-payment assistance, and loan guarantees for first-time buyers
- Increasing housing security with rental assistance for security deposits, first/last month's rent, and other move-in barriers
- Supporting lease-to-locals programs that incentivize the conversion of short-term rental properties long-term housing for our local workforce
Why It Matters
Housing stability is the foundation of a thriving community. When people can afford to live where they work:
- Local businesses have access to workers and customers
- Schools maintain stable enrollment
- Neighborhoods stay vibrant and connected
- Families can build roots and invest in their community
The proposed Astoria Community Housing Fund would be an investment in our collective future—aimed at helping Astoria remain a place where people of all income levels can live, work, and thrive.
About Us
Astoria Housing for All is a grassroots coalition of community members working to address the housing crisis in our beloved coastal city. We believe that every Astorian deserves access to safe, stable, affordable housing.
Our mission is to create a community-driven solution that ensures housing availability for working families, seniors, and long-time residents who make Astoria the vibrant place it is.
Get Involved
Join us in building a more housing-secure Astoria. There are many ways to support our effort to create affordable housing solutions for our community.