Oregon Housing and Community Services

Emergency Messages as of 6:20 AM, Fri. May 15

No information currently posted.

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Oregon Housing and Community Services.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

Oregon Housing And Community Services Program Helps Jackson County Businesses Overcome Almeda Fire’s Impacts (Photo) - 05/14/26

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announces its ReOregon Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Revitalization (PIER) program has committed nearly $1 million in microgrants and loans to help dozens of small businesses in Jackson County rebuild and grow since the 2020 Almeda Fire impacted the region.

 

When the Almeda Fire hit the area, Arturo Carrillo had been investing in equipment and planning for the future. Not only did the fire destroy his home, but it also crushed his dream of starting his own business. Now, years later, that dream is alive and well, thanks in part to the PIER funds.

 

“We are truly grateful for programs like the PIER grant that support small businesses impacted by wildfires,” said Fabiola Carrillo, who works at her father’s forestry and lawn care company called Carrillo Woods LLC in Medford, which received one of the microgrants. “Carrillo Woods LLC is more than just a business for us. It’s something very personal that came out of loss, resilience, and a desire to give back to our community.”

 

The PIER program provides Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help Oregon communities recover from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds, which included the Almeda Fire. It awards funds to nonprofits, schools, local governments, and other qualified entities in the disasters’ eight most-affected counties to support projects that address unmet planning, economic revitalization, and critical infrastructure needs, ensuring communities can rebuild and be better prepared for future challenges.

 

One of those nonprofits is the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCanDo), which awarded one of the microgrants to Carrillo Woods. To date, it has distributed 28 microgrants up to $15,000 each and two small business loans up to $50,000 each. Eligible businesses must be in Jackson County, have unmet financial needs related to the Almeda Fire, and either meet economic eligibility criteria or serve an urgent community need.

 

“IVCanDo is deeply grateful for the opportunity to help steward this important initiative in partnership with OHCS and community stakeholders,” said Autumn DeLorenzo, business and economic development manager and PIER program administrator at IVCanDo. “It has been both humbling and inspiring to witness the perseverance, creativity, and heart of the business owners who applied. Their commitment to rebuilding stronger businesses and stronger communities serves as a reminder that recovery is not only about restoring what was lost, but about creating a more connected, inclusive, and resilient future for Southern Oregon."

 

To allow more local control over the administration of funds, PIER empowered regional selection committees to recommend projects to OHCS. This ensured that the specific needs and priorities of each county and community are met and helps foster community engagement and tailored solutions for recovery and development.

 

With this funding, Carrillo Woods is planning to become more involved in the forestry industry, especially in reforestation. Their goal is not only to reduce wildfire risk through mitigation work, but also to help restore the land by supporting healthy forest regrowth after fires. Their services include wildfire mitigation, defensible space, brush clearing, and land management—work that is especially important after what their community experienced in 2020.

 

“This opportunity has helped us rebuild not just a business, but a future. We are committed to continuing to grow, serve our community, and make a lasting impact in Southern Oregon,” Fabiola Carillo said.

 

To learn more about PIER and how it helped other small businesses, visit re.oregon.gov.

 

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. 

Attached Media Files: Fabiola Carrillo in front of her company’s truck., Arturo Carrillo, owner of Carrillo Woods LLC, prunes a bush in Medford.,

Oregon Housing And Community Services Program Helps Jackson County Businesses Overcome Almeda Fire’s Impacts (Photo) - 05/14/26

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announces its ReOregon Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Revitalization (PIER) program has committed nearly $1 million in microgrants and loans to help dozens of small businesses in Jackson County rebuild and grow since the 2020 Almeda Fire impacted the region.

 

When the Almeda Fire hit the area, Arturo Carrillo had been investing in equipment and planning for the future. Not only did the fire destroy his home, but it also crushed his dream of starting his own business. Now, years later, that dream is alive and well, thanks in part to the PIER funds.

 

“We are truly grateful for programs like the PIER grant that support small businesses impacted by wildfires,” said Fabiola Carrillo, who works at her father’s forestry and lawn care company called Carrillo Woods LLC in Medford, which received one of the microgrants. “Carrillo Woods LLC is more than just a business for us. It’s something very personal that came out of loss, resilience, and a desire to give back to our community.”

 

The PIER program provides Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help Oregon communities recover from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds, which included the Almeda Fire. It awards funds to nonprofits, schools, local governments, and other qualified entities in the disasters’ eight most-affected counties to support projects that address unmet planning, economic revitalization, and critical infrastructure needs, ensuring communities can rebuild and be better prepared for future challenges.

 

One of those nonprofits is the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCanDo), which awarded one of the microgrants to Carrillo Woods. To date, it has distributed 28 microgrants up to $15,000 each and two small business loans up to $50,000 each. Eligible businesses must be in Jackson County, have unmet financial needs related to the Almeda Fire, and either meet economic eligibility criteria or serve an urgent community need.

 

“IVCanDo is deeply grateful for the opportunity to help steward this important initiative in partnership with OHCS and community stakeholders,” said Autumn DeLorenzo, business and economic development manager and PIER program administrator at IVCanDo. “It has been both humbling and inspiring to witness the perseverance, creativity, and heart of the business owners who applied. Their commitment to rebuilding stronger businesses and stronger communities serves as a reminder that recovery is not only about restoring what was lost, but about creating a more connected, inclusive, and resilient future for Southern Oregon."

 

To allow more local control over the administration of funds, PIER empowered regional selection committees to recommend projects to OHCS. This ensured that the specific needs and priorities of each county and community are met and helps foster community engagement and tailored solutions for recovery and development.

 

With this funding, Carrillo Woods is planning to become more involved in the forestry industry, especially in reforestation. Their goal is not only to reduce wildfire risk through mitigation work, but also to help restore the land by supporting healthy forest regrowth after fires. Their services include wildfire mitigation, defensible space, brush clearing, and land management—work that is especially important after what their community experienced in 2020.

 

“This opportunity has helped us rebuild not just a business, but a future. We are committed to continuing to grow, serve our community, and make a lasting impact in Southern Oregon,” Fabiola Carillo said.

 

To learn more about PIER and how it helped other small businesses, visit re.oregon.gov.

 

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. 

Attached Media Files: Fabiola Carrillo in front of her company’s truck., Arturo Carrillo, owner of Carrillo Woods LLC, prunes a bush in Medford.,

Oregon Housing And Community Services Earns Higher Credit Rating – And That’s Good News For Housing Across Oregon - 05/12/26

Improved rating positions the state to lower borrowing costs and expand housing investments 

 

SALEM, Ore. — Moody's Ratings – one of the world’s leading independent credit rating agencies – upgraded Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS’) issuer rating from A2 to A1. This upgrade places the agency among a strong tier of investment-grade housing finance agencies in the country and positions it to borrow money at a lower cost. That savings can then be reinvested into affordable housing programs – meaning more Oregonians served without spending more public money. 

 

“Delivering housing solutions that make life better and more affordable requires delivering public excellence in agency operations,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Receiving Moody’s strong A1 issuer rating reflects commitment to OHCS’ mission and accountability to the people of Oregon and the Legislature.” 

 

The upgrade is a national recognition of OHCS’ strong financial management and reflects the agency’s ability to continue partnering with communities to finance affordable housing, support first-time homebuyers, and invest in housing stability efforts. 

 

“When you pair prudent financial management with thoughtful program design, we can make taxpayer dollars go further,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “This even stronger credit rating will help us build more housing in all parts of the state.” 

 

According to Moody’s, the improved rating is driven by the OHCS' solid balance sheet strength and financial performance, which is expected to continue, speaking to the agency’s capacity to serve Oregonians over the long term. 

 

“Oregon Housing and Community Services is to be commended for this vote of increased confidence based on the agency’s stellar management and strong results, which will bolster its ability to continue to serve the people of Oregon efficiently and effectively,” said Stockton Williams, executive director of the National Council of State Housing Agencies. 

 

Credit quality is supported by OHCS’ strong loan portfolio, which consists primarily of loans held in the agency’s Single-Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds Program. Creditworthiness is further supported by OHCS’ conservative risk position, good risk governance, and a proactive management team. 

 

The higher rating reflects outside confidence in OHCS’ ability to manage public resources responsibly and could also potentially reduce the agency’s cost of financing short-term bond obligations.  

 

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. 

Oregon Housing And Community Services Earns Higher Credit Rating – And That’s Good News For Housing Across Oregon - 05/12/26

Improved rating positions the state to lower borrowing costs and expand housing investments 

 

SALEM, Ore. — Moody's Ratings – one of the world’s leading independent credit rating agencies – upgraded Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS’) issuer rating from A2 to A1. This upgrade places the agency among a strong tier of investment-grade housing finance agencies in the country and positions it to borrow money at a lower cost. That savings can then be reinvested into affordable housing programs – meaning more Oregonians served without spending more public money. 

 

“Delivering housing solutions that make life better and more affordable requires delivering public excellence in agency operations,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Receiving Moody’s strong A1 issuer rating reflects commitment to OHCS’ mission and accountability to the people of Oregon and the Legislature.” 

 

The upgrade is a national recognition of OHCS’ strong financial management and reflects the agency’s ability to continue partnering with communities to finance affordable housing, support first-time homebuyers, and invest in housing stability efforts. 

 

“When you pair prudent financial management with thoughtful program design, we can make taxpayer dollars go further,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “This even stronger credit rating will help us build more housing in all parts of the state.” 

 

According to Moody’s, the improved rating is driven by the OHCS' solid balance sheet strength and financial performance, which is expected to continue, speaking to the agency’s capacity to serve Oregonians over the long term. 

 

“Oregon Housing and Community Services is to be commended for this vote of increased confidence based on the agency’s stellar management and strong results, which will bolster its ability to continue to serve the people of Oregon efficiently and effectively,” said Stockton Williams, executive director of the National Council of State Housing Agencies. 

 

Credit quality is supported by OHCS’ strong loan portfolio, which consists primarily of loans held in the agency’s Single-Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds Program. Creditworthiness is further supported by OHCS’ conservative risk position, good risk governance, and a proactive management team. 

 

The higher rating reflects outside confidence in OHCS’ ability to manage public resources responsibly and could also potentially reduce the agency’s cost of financing short-term bond obligations.  

 

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. 

OHCS Offers Weatherization Workforce Training Through Oregon Training Institute - 04/21/26

SALEM, Ore. — In recognition of Earth Day, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is highlighting its investment in a more sustainable future through hands-on weatherization training at the Oregon Training Institute (OTI). OTI’s training and workforce development programs prepare workers across Oregon to improve home energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and create healthier living environments, especially for low-income households. 

 

“Weatherization plays a vital role in alleviating the energy affordability burden faced by many Oregonians through necessary home upgrades – adding insulation, replacing heating or cooling systems, and improving windows,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “OHCS and our partners are helping keep more money in people’s pockets each year while improving quality of life. The weatherization training center also supports good-paying jobs and increases workforce readiness.” 

 

Located in Salem, the OTI’s weatherization training facility equips participants with the technical skills needed to upgrade existing homes, reduce energy use, and address critical health and safety concerns. 

 

The training program serves a wide range of participants with varying degrees of experience. Through hands-on instruction, participants learn how to install energy-saving materials, conduct diagnostic testing, and ensure homes are safe and properly ventilated before improvements are made. 

 

“Weatherization is very focused on the best outcomes we can have for our low-income communities and neighbors,” said Director of the Oregon Training Institute Drew Sizemore. “Any of the work we do here is to better the outcomes of weatherization work and better the outcomes for people that are in our communities.” 

 

Participants like Graham Hill, a Clackamas County employee, say the training has deepened both their technical knowledge and their connection to the communities they serve. 

“This training will ultimately benefit people that really need the help that can’t afford it or have some kind of barrier to getting that service,” Hill said. 

 

The workforce development program also addresses a critical workforce gap in Oregon’s energy efficiency sector by preparing job-ready candidates for roles with community action agencies and other service providers across the state. 

 

“Part of that gap is one of the reasons we started the workforce development program. We can pre-train people and get them experience ahead of time,” Sizemore said. 

 

Weatherization improvements also lower monthly utility costs, improve indoor air quality, and make homes safer for residents. These benefits are especially impactful for households facing high energy burdens or living in aging housing stock. 

 

With support from state and federal funding, OHCS and OTI continue to expand access to training and strengthen Oregon’s weatherization workforce, helping communities across the state become more resilient in the face of rising energy costs and climate challenges. 

 

As Sizemore put it, the impact of this work is far-reaching. 

 

“Everything from helping communities reduce their energy burden, also just allowing folks to live in a healthy home environment. There are not many aspects of our clients’ lived environment that our work does not positively impact.” 

 

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. 

OHCS Offers Weatherization Workforce Training Through Oregon Training Institute - 04/21/26

SALEM, Ore. — In recognition of Earth Day, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is highlighting its investment in a more sustainable future through hands-on weatherization training at the Oregon Training Institute (OTI). OTI’s training and workforce development programs prepare workers across Oregon to improve home energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and create healthier living environments, especially for low-income households. 

 

“Weatherization plays a vital role in alleviating the energy affordability burden faced by many Oregonians through necessary home upgrades – adding insulation, replacing heating or cooling systems, and improving windows,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “OHCS and our partners are helping keep more money in people’s pockets each year while improving quality of life. The weatherization training center also supports good-paying jobs and increases workforce readiness.” 

 

Located in Salem, the OTI’s weatherization training facility equips participants with the technical skills needed to upgrade existing homes, reduce energy use, and address critical health and safety concerns. 

 

The training program serves a wide range of participants with varying degrees of experience. Through hands-on instruction, participants learn how to install energy-saving materials, conduct diagnostic testing, and ensure homes are safe and properly ventilated before improvements are made. 

 

“Weatherization is very focused on the best outcomes we can have for our low-income communities and neighbors,” said Director of the Oregon Training Institute Drew Sizemore. “Any of the work we do here is to better the outcomes of weatherization work and better the outcomes for people that are in our communities.” 

 

Participants like Graham Hill, a Clackamas County employee, say the training has deepened both their technical knowledge and their connection to the communities they serve. 

“This training will ultimately benefit people that really need the help that can’t afford it or have some kind of barrier to getting that service,” Hill said. 

 

The workforce development program also addresses a critical workforce gap in Oregon’s energy efficiency sector by preparing job-ready candidates for roles with community action agencies and other service providers across the state. 

 

“Part of that gap is one of the reasons we started the workforce development program. We can pre-train people and get them experience ahead of time,” Sizemore said. 

 

Weatherization improvements also lower monthly utility costs, improve indoor air quality, and make homes safer for residents. These benefits are especially impactful for households facing high energy burdens or living in aging housing stock. 

 

With support from state and federal funding, OHCS and OTI continue to expand access to training and strengthen Oregon’s weatherization workforce, helping communities across the state become more resilient in the face of rising energy costs and climate challenges. 

 

As Sizemore put it, the impact of this work is far-reaching. 

 

“Everything from helping communities reduce their energy burden, also just allowing folks to live in a healthy home environment. There are not many aspects of our clients’ lived environment that our work does not positively impact.” 

 

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.