11 August 2025

SB 438 and 878 – Placement of a second permanent dwelling in rural and unincorporated areas in Oregon. (HB 2400 same topic)

From: Ayla Hofler, BSN, Health Science Educator, Chaplain: MS Div./Bioethics. aylahofler@gmail.com

Chair and committee members, thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of this great group of bills that will bring great relief to the homeless and affordable housing crisis that is well documented in this state.

My name is Ayla Hofler, I am a resident of rural Washington County and have been here for 50 years. I am a land use consultant that serves the average, single family citizens of Oregon. I do work in 4 counties, trying to help landowners have a home on the land they own. I also have been a nurse for 40 years, serving Oregonians regarding home health, hospice, and mental health disorder needs. These experiences firsthand have made me come and speak to you today and let you know I am delighted and fully support this long overdue legislation. Health Hardship housing is temporary, depreciates property over time and is a huge investment to establish and then waste when the homesite is removed.

These bills solve so many of our current affordable living issues. Many seniors on fixed incomes cannot afford assisted living centers. Many young student adults cannot afford campus or off campus living fees. With this legislation, a landowner can invest in a second dwelling to help struggling family members. This legislation does not require farm/forest incomes to qualify, nor does it demand doctor’s letters to determine a family members need for assistance with daily activities. Health care innovations like online nursing visits allow dependent family members stay in a home and be close to their families. One of the greatest taxations on the 911 system is that someone is in need, both young and old, have no transportation to get to a clinic or urgent care. Having family nearby will alleviate current emergency services inability to serve in a timely manner.

The unsupported usual rhetoric of the opposition is so tiring: carbon footprint, interfere with farming and forestry practices, drawn down on watershed, increase rural road usage, cause fires, fracturing the ecosystem with additional humans. They throw it all on the wall in hopes that something might stick. Well, I am here to say that none of this is true with regards to this proposed legislation to bring families together, support legacy farms and forests, and create a stable growing tax base for the rural schools, first responders and our rural county road maintenance.

Let me tell you all the benefits there are to passing these bills:

Provides affordable housing to family members in a housing shortage environment.

Develops a stable, appreciating tax basefor the rural community.

Establishes family legacy farms and forestlands by bring families that live together into generational conservation and prosperity plans for the land.

Creates future farmers and foresters that are needed in our communities.

Mitigates the needs of current healthcare issues such as emergency response times, assisted living care, childcare and family with disabilities, including mental health issues such as anxiety, loneliness and isolation.

What these bills do not do:

They do not create over- crowding we are talking two houses on acres of land. Not like the crowding created by those in opposition that want 7-10 dwelling units on One acre!

They do not increase any risk of fires! There is no proof that landowners are the significant initiators of fires in this state. Environmental arsonists, mismanaged state land and urban visitors.

They do not increase rural road usage or wear and tear! In fact, the increased tax base contributes to maintaining the roads and most rural folks travel efficiently, traveling together and plan for needs so as not to drive as often.

They do not harm the ecosystem. Wildlife adapt nicely to humans. A second home on a property that already has a home is not going to change their ways of life.

They do not disturb farming and forest practices. In fact, bring help to the practices with additional family, makes the efforts increase and creates a learning environment for generations.

There are no additional threats to anything by voting yes on these bills.

VOTE YES ON SB 438, SB 878, and HB 2400!!!

Tags: affordable housing,Ayla Hofler,Candidate for Washington County Commission,District 4,HB 2400,homelessness,land use,Oregon,SB 438 and 878,unincorporated land development,Washington County,Washington County Commission,Washington County Commissioner:

25 July 2025

Where Service Meets Stewardship: Why I’m Running to Protect What Matters

By Ayla Hofler

My name is Ayla Hofler, and I’m running for Washington County Commission because I believe it’s time for leadership that reflects the values of the people who live and work here.

I’ve spent my life in service—first as a nurse, then as a teacher, a chaplain, and always as a mother and neighbor. My roots run deep here in the coastal range of Washington County. It’s where I live on a small farm surrounded by gardens, animals, and my ten grandchildren. It’s also where I see firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our communities—and the need for steady, common-sense leadership.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve worked as an Intensive Care nurse, taught Health Science in schools and community settings, and walked alongside families as a hospice chaplain. I’ve lived and served on six continents, including several years in Africa in the early 1970s. I’ve survived breast cancer, raised three sons—Noah, Jesse, and Mitchell—and built a life grounded in faith, service, and family.

Those experiences have shaped the way I lead: with humility, persistence, and purpose. I’ve never been interested in titles or recognition. I’ve always believed in doing the work that’s needed and staying focused on what’s right for the people around me.

Like many in our rural and working-class communities, I’ve grown concerned by how disconnected some of our leaders have become from the realities we face. From housing costs to land use, emergency services to education, it often feels like the people making decisions aren’t listening to those of us living with the outcomes.

That’s why I’m stepping up—to offer a different kind of leadership. One rooted in experience, not politics. One that values transparency, accountability, and local control. One that brings practical knowledge and a clear moral compass to the table.

I believe we need to protect rural land rights, make housing more affordable for working families, and fully support our police, fire, and disaster response services. We need responsible spending, not political agendas. And we need to restore trust between government and the people it’s meant to serve.

Throughout my life, I’ve leaned on a simple but powerful set of values I call the Seven S’s.

To care for my Self, I focus on Stillness, Silence, Solitude, and Spiritual Discernment.
To serve my Community, I live by Simplicity, Service, and Sacred Study.

These principles help me stay focused, steady, and responsive—qualities I believe are especially important in public service. My motto is simple: “Contemplation without action is meaningless.”

It’s not enough to talk about doing the right thing—you have to do it.

This county has always been a place of hard work, independence, and strong community ties. I want to help protect that legacy while also preparing for the future. That means thoughtful growth, support for first responders, and preserving the character of the communities we love. It also means upholding the constitutional freedoms that allow us to live with dignity, purpose, and personal responsibility.

My goal is to serve in a way that honors both our history and our hopes for what’s next. I believe we can have a county that is safe, self-sufficient, family-friendly, and financially responsible.

Public service, to me, is an extension of the life I’ve already led—a life rooted in caring for others, standing up for what matters, and making sure no one gets left behind. I don’t believe anyone should “live by another’s leave.” I believe in listening to people, leading with integrity, and building solutions that actually work for the communities we live in.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. I’d be honored to earn your support.

—
Ayla Hofler
Candidate for Washington County Commission

Tags: Ayla Hofler,Candidate for Washington County Commission,District 4,Intensive Care nurse,Washington County,Washington County Commission,Washington County Commissioner: