Dina Alexander Quoted in Oregon Journalism Project on Significant Affordable Housing Ruling
Radler White Parks & Alexander partner Dina Alexander was recently quoted by the Oregon Journalism Project regarding an Oregon Court of Appeals decision addressing the application of prevailing wage requirements to affordable housing projects involving the reuse of existing buildings. [oregonjour…roject.org]
In the case, the Court of Appeals rejected the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries’ interpretation that an affordable housing project converting an existing nonresidential structure could not qualify for Oregon’s prevailing-wage exemption for privately owned projects that predominantly provide affordable housing. The court concluded that the Legislature intended the exemption to apply to affordable housing even when a project incorporates materials from an existing building. [oregonjour…roject.org]
The decision may have important implications for affordable housing developers considering adaptive reuse projects throughout Oregon, including conversions of underused commercial and institutional properties. [oregonjour…roject.org]
Dina Alexander, who represents affordable housing developers and advises Oregon local governments on increasing housing production, welcomed the decision. The article discusses her perspective on the effect that prevailing-wage determinations can have on the feasibility and production of affordable housing. [oregonjour…roject.org]