In 2026, Oregon residents may receive a $1,600 stimulus check if Measure 118, a proposed direct rebate initiative, passes during the 2025 presidential elections. The measure, backed by multiple organizations, aims to offer financial relief to thousands of residents struggling with rising living costs, particularly low-income renters hit hardest by Oregon’s escalating housing crisis.
While Measure 118 is still awaiting approval, it promises stimulus checks for all residents who meet basic residency requirements. With growing support and mounting pressure to address housing instability, this proposal has gained significant traction.
Measure 118 Proposes
Measure 118 suggests sending a one-time stimulus check of $1,600 to every Oregon resident who has lived in the state for at least 200 days, with no other eligibility criteria. Dependents would also be eligible for the payment. The proposal is a direct response to the growing housing crisis and rising rent costs that have left many Oregonians struggling to make ends meet.
Housing costs in Oregon have soared, and the financial burden has disproportionately affected renters. The state’s Office of Economic Analysis reports that nearly half of renters spend more than 30% of their income on rent. For many, this leaves little money for other essentials like food and healthcare. In this context, the $1,600 check proposed by Measure 118 could offer significant, albeit temporary, financial relief.
Check Important
The $1,600 rebate aims to address an urgent issue: the increasing financial strain on low-income renters. Oregon’s housing market has seen rents rise at alarming rates, pushing many families to the brink of homelessness. According to Kim McCarty, executive director of the Community Alliance of Tenants, “Measure 118 is a lifeline for Oregon renters facing exorbitant costs. This rebate offers immediate relief in a volatile and often predatory housing market.”
With inflation continuing to impact food, medicine, and other basic necessities, the stimulus check could help residents cover essential expenses that they otherwise couldn’t afford. Renters like those represented by Portland Tenants United are often forced to cut back on crucial items just to keep up with rent payments. For them, this check is more than just a financial boost—it’s a necessary safeguard against housing instability.
Impact on Renters
For many renters, this stimulus check represents more than a temporary relief. It could help prevent the ongoing spiral of debt and housing insecurity. According to Leeor Schweitzer from Portland Tenants United, “renters are cutting back on food and medicine to afford rent.” A $1,600 payment could provide breathing room, allowing renters to stabilize their finances and potentially avoid eviction.
Though Measure 118 won’t solve all the issues tied to Oregon’s housing crisis, it represents a significant step forward in protecting renters. The check could help mitigate some of the financial pressures in the short term, giving advocates more time to push for longer-term solutions like tenant protections and affordable housing reforms.
Potential Roadblocks
Despite the potential benefits, Measure 118 is not without opposition. One major concern comes from the business sector, which fears that funding the checks will lead to higher corporate taxes. The measure proposes raising the minimum corporate tax rate by 3% for businesses with annual revenues exceeding $25 million. This proposal has raised concerns among companies, particularly those with smaller profit margins. Critics argue that this tax hike could be passed down to consumers, resulting in higher prices for goods and services.
“It’s rare for new taxes to be accepted, whether corporate or personal,” says an expert quoted in the debate. “Businesses worry that this tax will be based on revenues rather than profits, which would affect sectors with thinner margins.” Opponents argue that this could hurt the local economy by discouraging investment and raising costs for consumers, particularly small businesses.
Supporters’ Perspective
Supporters of Measure 118, however, believe that the economic benefits of providing financial aid to struggling families outweigh the potential downsides. Low-income households are more likely to spend the money locally, which could, in turn, benefit small businesses and the broader economy. Additionally, the check would act as a form of immediate relief, preventing more families from falling into poverty or homelessness.
Housing advocates also see this measure as a stepping stone toward more comprehensive solutions to Oregon’s housing crisis. While it doesn’t solve all the issues related to rent inflation, it highlights the state’s responsibility to protect its most vulnerable residents.
Stimulus Be Approved
If Measure 118 is approved by voters in November 2025, the first $1,600 checks could be distributed in 2026, arriving at a critical time when inflation and living costs are still a concern. For many low-income families, the stimulus check could provide a crucial financial buffer as they continue to navigate rising costs.
Although the future of Measure 118 remains uncertain until the vote takes place, the proposal has already sparked important conversations about Oregon’s housing crisis and the state’s role in addressing it. Should the measure pass, it could set a precedent for other states grappling with similar challenges, offering a potential model for housing relief nationwide.
For now, Measure 118 represents hope for many struggling Oregonians and may be the first of several steps toward addressing the housing crisis.
FAQs
What is Measure 118 proposing?
Measure 118 proposes a $1,600 stimulus check for every Oregon resident.
Who qualifies for the $1,600 payment?
Oregon residents who have lived in the state for at least 200 days qualify.
How will Measure 118 be funded?
The measure would raise corporate taxes for businesses with revenues over $25 million.
When would residents receive the stimulus check?
If passed, checks would be distributed starting in 2026.
Why is the stimulus check necessary?
It aims to provide relief from rising housing costs and inflation.
