This month marks 58 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 designation recognizes the state’s ongoing work to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities to all Oregonians.

“Where you live is more than an address. It is deeply connected to circumstances that can make your life better or harder,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “All Oregonians deserve the freedom and reliability of a well-resourced neighborhood, community, and state that cherishes its residents and remains tangibly accountable for ensuring no communities are left behind.” 

Each April, Fair Housing Month commemorates the passage of the Fair Housing Act, a landmark federal law signed on April 11, 1968, that made discrimination in housing illegal and established critical protections based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. 

OHCS, in partnership with Fair Housing Council of Oregon, is offering a series of fair housing trainings throughout 2026. These are free webinars for those 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 April on social media. 

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. 

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced its Flex Lending program helped 954 households buy a home in 2025 by offering down payment assistance (DPA) and lower interest rates through partnerships with approved lenders.

This first-of-its-kind mortgage loan program, called Flex Lending, consists of two loan products — FirstHome and NextStep. FirstHome is intended for first-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes, while NextStep is open to any income-eligible buyers, even if they previously owned a home.

Borrowers can receive 4% or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount as down payment assistance that can be used for up to 100% of the borrower’s cash requirement to close, including down payment, closing costs, pre-paid items, upfront borrower-paid mortgage insurance, and other related loan fees and expenses.

The Flex Lending program worked with 33 lending partners to provide almost $300 million, including $7.5 million in down payment assistance, to 1,378 individuals in 2025. Additionally, 31% of the homebuyers identified as people of color, 32 were veteran households, and 43% lived in rural areas throughout the state.

Phoenix Paintin was renting and navigating the uncertainty that comes with rising housing costs and limited long-term stability. She was connected to the Flex Lending program through the Portland Housing Center, which helped her understand her options and connected her with an approved Flex Lender, Guild Mortgage. Now, she’s a proud homeowner who can invest in her own future in a way that once felt unimaginable.

“Phoenix's story is a reminder of what is possible,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Oregonians in all zip codes know firsthand how expensive it is to afford a home. It affects families, workers, and local economies. Addressing housing affordability requires removing barriers in ways that concretely translate into more housing opportunities, stronger communities, and real paths to homeownership.”

“The Flex Lending program made homeownership feel attainable and supportive rather than overwhelming,” Paintin said. “I appreciated the flexibility, the clear guidance, and the way the program works to remove barriers that often make buying a home feel out of reach.”

To learn more about Flex Lending and other OHCS down payment assistance programs, visit the OHCS website.

Photo Caption: Phoenix Paintin now has a home in Southeast Portland thanks to the Flex Lending program, which provides down payment assistance and other benefits in the homebuying process.

More detailed information regarding the ORCA-CB grant program and grantees can be found at Oregon Housing and Community Services : General Housing Account Program – Capacity Building : Development Resources : State of Oregon. 

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.