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The obvious ways to change the world of housing in Oregon are build more housing and make it easier to build more.

Gov. Tina Kotek began her term in office with something slightly different: She set a goal.

A state housing analysis had estimated that Oregon needed 443,566 homes over the next 20 years to match predicted demand. Kotek set a goal of building 36,000 homes a year, at least for the next 10 years.

The state had only been producing about 20,000 homes a year. And there is a need for much of the new housing to be affordable for people making lower incomes.

Kotek and the Legislature have taken action.

The Governor’s Housing Production Advisory Council made a range of recommendations. Senate Bill 1537 was passed this year. Among other things, it allows cities to expand their boundaries for more housing as long as they satisfy conditions.

Senate Bill 1530 also was passed this year. It sends more than $250 million out to help build housing.

More could be added to that list. In fact, total up all the investments in housing that the state has made for the 2023-2025 biennium and Kotek’s office told us it is nearly $1 billion in investment.

Nobody expects Oregon to wipe away a housing deficit built up over years overnight. Or, at least, they shouldn’t.

What we would like to see is a running total on a state of Oregon website. One number would be the goal. Another number would be a running total of where we are. There are so many jurisdictions involved in granting building permits that it could be a headache.

Oregonians also need to know how what the state is doing is working, if it is really changing the world.