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News Release

OHCS Seeks Public Input On Substantial Action Plan Amendment For Disaster Recovery Infrastructure Funding -06/09/25

June 9, 2025

Public hearings scheduled for June 23 and 25

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) published a draft Action Plan Amendment for a $422 million disaster recovery grant and is seeking public input on the changes. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) is administered through a suite of programs, also known as “ReOregon.” These programs support individuals, households, and communities as they continue to recover from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds.

 

The draft Action Plan Amendment would reallocate program funds to support the Gates Wastewater Collection System project in Marion County so it can meet the grant’s timelines and streamline construction. This project is critical for wildfire recovery and increasing housing supply. A short summary of the key elements of the plan and the entire draft Action Plan Amendment is available for review on OHCS’ website at https://re.oregon.gov.

 

Public comment on the draft Action Plan Amendment will be taken for 30 days through public hearings, online form, email, mail, or telephone. The hearings will include a short presentation by Marion County representatives and OHCS officials, followed by public feedback. Printed copies of the plan will be available by request.

 

Public hearing details:

When: Monday, June 23

Doors open: 5:30 p.m.

Public hearing: 6 p.m.

Where: Marion County Board of Commissioners Board Room, 555 Court St. NE, Suite 5232, Salem

 

For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual hearing on Zoom will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. Please register to attend.

 

Information presented at the public hearings will be available on the ReOregon website at re.oregon.gov. Spanish translation services will be available at all the public hearings. Please email hcs_housinginfo@oregon.gov if you need special accommodations.

 

In addition to providing comment at the hearings, the public will be able to do so by:

All comments must be submitted to OHCS no later than 11:59 p.m. July 9, 2025.

 

After the 30-day public comment period, feedback will be incorporated into the plan before OHCS submits it to HUD for review and approval, which can take up to 45 days. As required by HUD, OHCS will address all comments received.

 

To learn more about ReOregon programs, visit re.oregon.gov or sign up to receive e-mail notifications.

 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services 
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. 

 

9 de junio de 2025

 

Contacto para medios de comunicación:

Delia Hernández, 503-986-2051

HCS.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov

Se solicita opinión pública para una propuesta de Enmienda Sustancial para los fondos designados a la recuperación de desastres

Se programan audiencias públicas para el 23 y 25 de junio

SALEM, Ore. – El Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios (OHCS, por sus siglas en inglés) ha publicado una propuesta de Enmienda al Plan de Acción para los $422 millones en fondos federales para la recuperación de desastres y solicita opinión pública ante los cambios.

 

OHCS administra un conjunto de programas conocidos como “ReOregon”, que apoyan a las personas, hogares y comunidades a medida que continúan recuperándose de los incendios forestales del Día del Trabajo de 2020 y los vientos en línea recta.

 

OHCS está buscando comentarios del público sobre la propuesta de Enmienda del Plan de Acción, que reasigna los fondos del programa para apoyar el proyecto del Sistema de Recolección de Aguas Residuales de Gates para que pueda cumplir con los plazos de la subvención y agilizar la construcción. Este proyecto es fundamental para la recuperación tras el incendio forestal y para la construcción de nuevas viviendas. Puede consultarse un breve resumen de los elementos clave del plan y el proyecto completo de Enmienda del Plan de Acción en el sitio web de la OHCS: https://re.oregon.gov. 

 

Se invita a los miembros de la comunidad a dar su opinión sobre la propuesta de Enmienda al Plan de Acción a través de un período de comentarios de 30 días. OHCS solicitará comentarios a través de audiencias públicas, formulario en línea, correo electrónico, correo postal o teléfono. Las audiencias incluirán una breve presentación de parte de funcionarios de OHCS, seguida de comentarios del público. Se podrán solicitar copias impresas del plan.

 

Aquí los detalles de la audiencia pública:

 

Cuándo: Lunes, 23 de junio

Puertas abiertas: 5:30 p.m.

Audiencia comienza: 6 p.m.

Dónde: Marion County Board of Commissioners Board Room, 555 Court St. NE, Suite 5232, Salem

 

Para quienes no puedan asistir en persona, se llevará a cabo una audiencia por internet en Zoom a las 6 p.m. el miércoles 25 de junio. Por favor, regístrese para asistir.

 

Toda la información presentada en las audiencias públicas estará disponible en el sitio de internet de ReOregon, re.oregon.gov. En las audiencias públicas habrá servicios de traducción al español. Si necesita algún servicio especial, envíe un correo electrónico a hcs_housinginfo@oregon.gov.

 

Además de presentar comentarios en las audiencias, el público podrá hacerlo a través de:

Todos los comentarios deben enviarse a OHCS antes de las 11:59 p.m., 9 de julio de 2025.

 

Después que termine el período de 30 días, los comentarios públicos recibidos se incorporarán al plan antes de que OHCS lo presente a HUD para su revisión y aprobación, lo que puede tardar hasta 45 días. Tal y como exige HUD, OHCS dará seguimiento a los comentarios recibidos.

 

Para obtener más información sobre los programas ReOregon, visite re.oregon.gov o inscríbase para recibir notificaciones por correo electrónico.

 

Acerca del Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios de Oregon (OHCS)   

OHCS es la agencia de financiación de viviendas de Oregón. La agencia estatal proporciona apoyo financiero y de programas para crear y preservar oportunidades de vivienda a precio asequible y de calidad para los habitantes de Oregón con ingresos bajos y moderados. OHCS administra programas que proporcionan estabilización de la vivienda. OHCS ofrece estos programas principalmente a través de subvenciones, contratos y acuerdos de préstamo con organizaciones locales y proveedores comunitarios. Para obtener más información, visite: oregon.gov/ohcs.  

 

OHCS Tours Innovative Builder Shaping The Future Of Modular Housing In Oregon (Photo) -06/05/25

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Executive Director Andrea Bell visited a modular home production facility in Aumsville, Oregon to get a firsthand look at how state investments are being put to work to accelerate housing solutions. The company, Blazer Industries, is one of four recipients of OHCS’ Modular Housing Development Fund (MHDF), created through House Bill 2001 (2023).

 

“We have a governor and a legislature that championed these investments and see modular as an important part of our state’s housing continuum,” Executive Director Bell said. “Oregon is a national leader in housing innovation. OHCS is investing in modular construction for its potential to reduce costs, shorten development timelines, and expand access to affordable housing – all without compromising safety or quality.”

 

 

During last week’s tour, Blazer Industries leaders and Executive Director Bell discussed several topics, including:  

  • Strengthening the modular construction workforce  

  • Leveraging technology to improve building efficiency  

  • Expanding affordable housing options across the state

 

“The MHDF grant has enabled Blazer to assemble a team of experts in design, construction, systems development and technology to focus on increasing capacity to produce housing,” said Kendra Cox, owner and business development manager at Blazer Industries. “The residential product line will include ADUs, cottage clusters, small multifamily, and main street live-work designs along with off the shelf emergency replacement models and a smoother procurement process.” 

 

With a $5 million grant from OHCS, Blazer Industries is upgrading its technology and software systems, creating off-the-shelf home designs, and streamlining production operations. Blazer Industries projects they can produce 100 to 200 additional homes per year.  

 

Modular construction is a building method where structures are made in factory-built sections and then assembled on-site. It can offer numerous benefits, including cost savings, faster construction times, and scalability for emergency housing. Blazer Industries will prioritize producing disaster recovery units first, followed by ongoing production of units for lower- and middle-income homeowners.  

 

As one of the OHCS grantees, Blazer Industries received the funding to boost affordable modular construction in Oregon. OHCS expects modular homes to increase housing options, especially in rural communities where there is a critical need for new construction.   

 

Watch a video of OHCS’ visit to Blazer Industries here.

Attached Media Files: Modular home under construction at Blazer Industries in Aumsville, blazer pr photo 2.jpg,

OHCS And BuildUp Oregon Commit $7.4 Million To Expand Early Care And Education Statewide -05/29/25

Correction: The funding commitment for Portland Community Reinvestment Initiative (PCRI) is $850,000.

 

Salem, Oregon – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), in partnership with BuildUp Oregon (BUO), has committed $7.4 million in grants and loans to nine innovative projects that co-locate early care and education (ECE) with affordable housing developments across the state. These projects, which leverage an additional $20 million of public and private investment, will strengthen communities by simultaneously increasing access to affordable housing and opportunities for quality early care and education, serving families where they live and dream.

 

“As the state housing agency, we have a role in building a better and more affordable life for Oregon families,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Available and affordable housing and childcare are constrained by supply—these are things we can do something about through locally driven approaches. Through this partnership we are taking action to boost incomes and improve family outcomes.”

 

The OHCS Co-Location Fund was established by the Oregon Legislature through House Bill 5011 in the 2021-2023 biennium. It is the first funding of its kind dedicated exclusively to integrating early care and education into affordable housing developments in our state. By simultaneously addressing two of Oregon’s most pressing needs, this approach realizes cost savings that maximize public investment while also reimagining how we effectively build thriving communities.

 

“These affordable housing communities are beautiful, intentional spaces designed to support children during the most consequential stages of their development,” BuildUp Oregon ECE Program Manager Rachel Langford notes. “Each project represents a thoughtful reflection of the needs and strengths of the communities they are located in.”

 

This year’s awardees represent projects in seven counties and respond to Oregon’s urgent child care shortage, where 72% of counties are considered child care “deserts.” Together, these nine projects will create or preserve 542 child care seats statewide, offering lasting benefits to children, caregivers, and the communities they call home.

 

“The early years of a child’s life lay the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. By bringing early learning and care directly into affordable housing communities, we’re not just investing in our children—we’re investing in Oregon’s future,” said DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee; “Quality child care is a cornerstone of a thriving economy, enabling parents to work and communities to prosper. I am thrilled to see these investments moving forward with OHCS and BuildUp Oregon.”

 

Projects with funding commitments:

 

Community Partners for Affordable Housing 
Meadowlark Place Head Start  
$750,000 in Beaverton, OR (Washington County)
Community Partners for Affordable Housing and DCM Communities are partnering with Community Action to co-locate a new Head Start facility with 104 units of senior housing. The center will offer three classrooms serving preschool-aged children and include ample indoor and outdoor play areas.

 

Home Forward
Immigrant and Refugees Community Organization (IRCO)
$850,000 in Gresham, OR (Multnomah County)
Home Forward and IRCO are co-developing a new early care and education center within a 60+ unit affordable housing project. Integrated into the ground floor of the building, the center will support four classrooms with culturally specific programming, as well as education and workforce development for immigrant and refugee families.

 

Housing Works
Antler Head Start
$750,000 in Redmond, OR (Deschutes County)
Housing Works will construct a Head Start facility in Redmond with three classrooms operated by NeighborImpact. The project will be part of a larger neighborhood development that includes 18 affordable for-sale homes by Rooted Homes and 60 affordable rental housing units from Housing Works.

 

Lighthouse Development
Willamette Education Service District
$850,000 in Salem, OR (Marion County)
Lighthouse Development will build an early care and education center on a site with 180 affordable housing units. The center will be operated by the Willamette Education Services District (WESD). They will have a total of four classrooms that serve infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as plans to tailor their classrooms to serve children with disabilities.

 

Home Forward / Killingsworth Housing
Native American Youth And Family Center (NAYA)
$207,000 in Portland, OR (Multnomah County)
NAYA is co-developing and will operate a new early care and education center within Killingsworth Housing, an affordable housing development in partnership with Home Forward and Portland Community College. The development will have 74 affordable housing units, and the center will include three classrooms serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. This program offers culturally specific programming in partnership with Early Head Start and Preschool for All.

 

Habitat for Humanity of Newberg
Head Start of Yamhill County
$700,000 – Dundee, OR (Yamhill County)
Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity, Head Start of Yamhill County, and Newberg First United Methodist Church are partnering to develop a three-story building in downtown Dundee. The housing development will include four 2-story condominium homes. On the ground floor, the project will house two Head Start classrooms serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

 

Our Coastal Village with Affiliate Chestnut Management LLC
Elm Park Learning Center
$1,430,000 in Florence, OR (Lane County)
Our Coastal Village, Inc. will co-locate an early care and education facility in an affordable housing development that includes a mix of 32 two- and three-bedroom units. The facility will partner with two child care operators, Stepping Stones and Head Start of Lane County, and will have a total of four classrooms.

 

Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI)
Learning Train Academy
$850,000 in Portland, OR (Multnomah County)
PCRI will include an early care and education center in the historic Williams & Russell Affordable Rental Housing project. The facility will be integrated into this dynamic community development with 85 affordable apartments units and offer culturally specific programming through its operator, Learning Train Academy.

 

Edlen + Co
Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC)
$850,000 in Ashland, OR (Jackson County)
OCDC will operate a new child care center as part of a mixed-income 100-unit housing development led by Sunstone Housing Collaborative. The center will have two classrooms, one for preschoolers and one for infants and toddlers. The co-located site will support working families — including housing for teachers in the Ashland School District — and offer integrated services in a growing community hub.

 

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. 

 

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.