Funds include $10 million for developing early care and education facilities co-located with affordable housing
Salem, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and BuildUp Oregon announce the launch of the OHCS Co-location Fund aimed at expanding access to early childhood education and affordable housing across Oregon.
“Families face a pile of cost burdens that limit their access to afford housing, and one of these burdens is the high cost of early childcare. These investments set out to change the trajectory for Oregon families, allowing for increased stability and a better quality of life,” says OHCS Director Andrea Bell.
BuildUp Oregon will administer the $10 million in OHCS funds allocated by the Oregon legislature through House Bill 5011 to support co-locating early care and education (ECE) facilities with affordable housing.
These resources will help bring affordable housing developers and ECE providers together to open and expand childcare services within or on the grounds of affordable housing developments. The funding awarded will depend on each project's needs, size, and costs.
Funds provided through BuildUp Oregon can be used for:
- Technical assistance to ECE providers and affordable housing developers on how to co-locate
- Relationship building between ECE providers and housing developers to identify potential collaboration opportunities and facilitate communication
- Financial support to ECE providers and developers to build or expand operations within or adjacent to affordable housing developments
The goal of the OHCS Co-location Fund is to create or preserve 600 ECE slots throughout Oregon.
OHCS is a funding partner with Multnomah County for the BuildUp Oregon program. Earlier this month, Multnomah County launched the Preschool for All Facilities Fund. That fund offers comprehensive support to early care and education providers in Multnomah County participating in Preschool for All (PFA) who are looking to enhance the quality of care at existing facilities, expand to serve additional families or open a new location.
"The Facilities Fund will provide crucial support to early care and education providers and help build up the infrastructure we need to ensure universal access to preschool by 2030," said Preschool and Early Learning Division Director Leslee Barnes. "This initiative represents a vital step towards all children having access to high-quality childcare in safe and nurturing environments."
Interested developers and providers can learn more about BuildUp Oregon by visiting www.BuildUpOregon.org. BuildUp Oregon will also provide further information about the OHCS Co-location Fund through a webinar in May. Details and updates on the webinar will be available on BuildUp Oregon’s website.
About BuildUp Oregon
BuildUp Oregon is composed of four Community Development Financial Institutions. Its members are Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), Craft3, Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH), and Low-Income Investment Fund (LIIF). Together, these organizations are dedicated to ensuring equitable access to high-quality childcare and supporting the growth and development of early care and education providers.
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate-income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
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One housing development expected to create 30 homes in a Tribal community
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announces funding awards of more than $40 million in grants and tax credits to build and preserve 417 homes. The resources come from the federal 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), HOME, General Housing Account Program (GHAP), and the Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits (OAHTC). These resources are used along with local, state, and private investments to make possible the development of affordable housing in communities across Oregon.
“This progress is about what really matters—putting resources towards investments that make life better for more Oregonians,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “Over 400 families and individuals will have a safe and stable place to call home because of these investments and the leadership of our local partners who made this possible. This progress can invigorate neighborhoods, communities, and our economies. These investments in housing today will serve Oregonians for generations to come especially in our rural and Tribal communities.”
These investments also contribute to the five-year Statewide Housing Plan (July 2019-July 2024) goal of increasing the pipeline of affordable rental housing. OHCS surpassed the goal of adding 25,000 homes to the pipeline and has met this goal at around 107% of the target as of the end of 2023. The agency will release the outcomes of the Statewide Housing Plan this summer.
The latest investments for the creation affordable rental housing in Oregon were approved last week by the Oregon Housing Stability Council (HSC). Below is a list of the developments and further details can be found in the HSC meeting materials.
| Development | Location
| Homes (units) | Total Funding
|
| Allen Creek Crossing | Grants Pass | 68
| $4.5 million |
| ALSO Apartments | Gresham | 39
| $4.8 million |
| Burlwood Apartments | Portland | 35 | $947,442
|
| Colonia del Valle Próspero | Albany | 54
| $5 million |
| Klamath LIHTC #1 | Chiloquin | 30
| $4.6 million |
| Majestic Garden Apartments | Redmond, Veneta, Harrisburg, Junction City (Scattered Sites) | 66 | $5.7 million |
| Nine Peaks | Bend | 45 | $10 million |
| Voyager’s Village | Salem | 41
| $2.6 million |
| Wickiup Station Apartments | La Pine | 39 | $4.1 million |
comunicado de prensa en español
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
This month also marks 56 years since the passage of the Fair Housing Act
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) celebrates April as Fair Housing Month in Oregon following Governor Tina Kotek's proclamation. The declaration recognizes the state’s continuous efforts to provide fair and equal housing opportunities to all.
“Celebrating Fair Housing Month is a reminder to uphold fairness and equity every day,” said Director Andrea Bell. “Fair housing ensures access to housing regardless of any outside biases or stereotypes, creating communities where all can thrive.”
Each April, OHCS along with fair housing advocates, communities, and organizations across Oregon recognize Fair Housing Month by hosting events to commemorate its significance and impact.
OHCS and the Fair Housing Council of Oregon are offering a series of fair housing trainings throughout 2024. These are free webinars for anyone interested in learning more about fair housing issues statewide and how to prevent illegal discrimination in Oregon. For more information about fair housing rights, visit the Fair Housing Council of Oregon website.
OHCS will also be posting fair housing resources throughout the month on social media.
This year’s commemoration coincides with the 56th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the landmark civil rights law on April 11, 1968. It made discrimination in housing transactions unlawful. Fair housing guarantees that regardless of race, sex, national origin, religion, family situation, or level of ability, everyone has the right to housing that fits their needs.
Nationally, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) kicked off Fair Housing Month 2024 with this year’s theme, “The Act in Action.”
comunicado de prensa en español
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
Mar. 29, 2024
The next Housing Stability Council meeting will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2024. This will be a virtual meeting. You can find all relevant meeting materials on our website. The Housing Stability Council helps to lead OHCS to meet the housing and services needs of low- and moderate-income Oregonians by:
- Establishing and supporting OHCS’ strategic direction
- Fostering constructive partnerships across the state
- Setting policy and issue funding decisions
- Lending their unique expertise to the policy and program development of the agency
Register in advance for this meeting. Please note the new public hearing process.
AGENDA
9:00: Meeting Called to Order
9:05: Report of the Chair
9:25: Report of the Director
9:40: Housing Stabilization Division (pg. 4)
Jill Smith, Director of Housing Stabilization Division
- USDOE Weatherization Assistance Program State Plan for Oregon
Danielle Safford, Weatherization Program Coordinator
- By and For Initiative, Native American Tribes of Oregon (BAFI-NATO)
Jill Smith, Director of Housing Stabilization;
Colt Sray, Homeless Services Program Coordinator;
Tim Mahern-Macias, Tribal Liaison
10:15: Special Initiative Division (pg.134)
Mike Savara, Special Initiatives Director
- Executive Order 23-02 (EO 23-02)
Mike Savara, Special Initiatives Director
10:30: Homeownership Division (pg. 138)
Keeble Giscombe, Director of Homeownership Division
- Oregon Bond Loan Approvals
Scott Shaw, Assistant Director Homeownership Lending
10:45: 15-minute break
11:00: Affordable Rental Housing Division (pg.140)
Natasha Detweiler-Daby, Director of Affordable Rental Housing Division
- Public Hearing Comments in accordance with ORS 456.561
- 9% LIHTC NOFA Recommendations
Jacqueline Santiago, LIHTC Program Analyst;
Amy Cole, Development Resources Manager
- Funding Resources & Set Asides Expanded Introduction
Mitch Hannoosh, Senior Operations and Policy Analyst;
Natasha Detweiler-Daby, Director
- Evaluation Standards Introduction
Love Jonson, Operations and Policy Analyst;
Mitch Hannoosh, Senior Operations and Policy Analyst
- Soft Launch Application Testing update
Ed Brown, Application Team Manager;
Amy Cole, Development Resources Manager
1:00: Meeting Adjourned