Watch September Forum: The Local Government Role in Building Housing Stock

On September 8, 2025, a new season of the Forum Speaker Series began as our community welcomed regional housing policy expert Michael Andersen (Sightline Institute) to provide an analytical view of housing development in the Willamette Valley.

Andersen’s presentation included examples of municipal policies that have helped other communities increase their housing stock, what we do well here in Oregon and in Salem, ways local and state governments can help, and the types of housing we should be investing more in.

This kick-off luncheon also saw the return of the Spirit of Salem Award, which, this month, went to the Marion Berries Baseball Club for bringing new enthusiasm and community pride to Salem with the completion of its inaugural season.

Thank you to the Salem Convention Center for providing the venue and meal, and to Allied Video Productions and Capital Community Media for their help with producing this event.

We’d also like to thank the Housing Now coalition for serving as this month’s Forum Sponsor, and Hagan Hamilton Insurance Solutions for being our Presenting Sponsor for the Forum Speaker Series.

Join us next month, on October 20, as the Forum Speaker Series features former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber for a presentation on healthcare!