Winterbrook Planning showed up in force at the Housing Land Advocates annual conference last week. The conference, at Portland State University, had the theme “All By Ourselves: Housing Advocacy without Federal Partnership.” The day was focused on exploring how Oregon can meet its housing goals in an era without federal partnership. Winterbrook Planning was also proud to sponsor this year’s conference.

State-directed housing planning is a pillar of our work. We’re currently leading DLCD-funded housing projects across ten Oregon communities in the 2025–2027 grant cycle, including Housing Capacity Analyses, Housing Production Strategies, code updates, and UGB evaluations in cities from Pendleton to Estacada. You can follow our ongoing project updates as this grant cycle unfolds.

That experience was on display in Panel 2, “State-Directed Housing Planning: Who Does What?” Jordan Rasmussen led the discussion. Senior Planner Grace Coffey offered the consultant perspective, drawing on her work leading Winterbrook’s on-the-ground DLCD projects in communities like Pendleton. Sam Goldberg of DLCD represented the state, and Clint Spencer, Planning Director for the City of Hermiston, represented the city.

Grace Coffey describing where the consultant fits into the picture

Winterbrook was also part of the afternoon’s conversation on getting homes built. Ben Schonberger moderated Panel 3, “Constructability Issues for New Housing,” which brought together architects and a developer to dig into the practical hurdles of delivering new housing.

Ben Schonberger moderating “Constructability Issues for New Housing” panel

The rest of the day covered a lot of ground. Tom Stenson of Disability Rights Oregon opened with a keynote on housing for people with mental illness, followed by a panel on state rule changes for supportive housing. The day closed with a panel asking “Where are the duplexes?” on small-scale rentals and middle housing reform.

Thank you to Housing Land Advocates for organizing a thoughtful day, and to everyone who joined the conversation in person and online.

Larissa Gladding’s favorite panel: “State Rule Changes for Supportive Housing”