Oregon already has a statewide planning goal saying the state shall have plans for adequate numbers of homes at prices and rent levels Oregonians can afford — and with flexibility in location, type and density.

Goal 10, as it is called, has not worked.

Legislators passed House Bill 2001 this year to try to change that. State Reps. Jason Kropf and Emerson Levy, both Bend Democrats, were sponsors. State Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, voted for it.

This week work begins to look at what changes Oregon should make to make those things a reality. It even includes a provision for the state to step in and start making housing decisions for a city that isn’t doing enough.

HB 2001 got more specific. By region, the state will now go through and look at population, current housing and housing need. Targets will be set for various income levels. The state will publish dashboards so Oregonians can see the progress toward the targets.

Consideration should be given to gentrification and displacement, segregation by race and income and also to ensure people with lower incomes aren’t stuck with housing in less environmentally desirable areas.

The Department of Land Conservation and Development has until March 1 to adopt a housing target schedule. The Department of Administrative Services has until Jan. 1, 2025, to establish housing production targets. And the deadline for Oregon Housing and Community Services to publish a state dashboard is also Jan. 1, 2025.

What if cities don’t do enough to accelerate housing? They get referred to a kind of punishment — a “housing acceleration program.” The state can essentially step in and take control, changing policies for the city to promote housing. The state would apparently start off with technical assistance and funding. It can do more and change the city’s development code and take emergency measures.

Oregon won’t grow smart or sustainably unless it can solve its housing availability and affordability problem. The state has underinvested. It has had good goals. But they have not been backed up with action to achieve them. Builders and developers know better than anyone what gets in the way of building housing. Our leaders need to focus on listening to them as much as they are on changing these government rules and goals.