FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2019

CONTACT:

Nicole Stoenner

Legislative and Communications Coordinator

Oregon Housing and Community Services

(971) 707-0091, nicole.r.stoenner@oregon.gov

State Announces Participants for the 2019-2020 Oregon Supportive Housing Institute

The Institute is the first step in implementing the $50 million Permanent Supportive Housing investment made in the 2019 Legislative Session.

SALEM, OR – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), in consultation with the Corporation for Supportive Housing, created the Oregon Supportive Housing Institute to provide technical assistance and training to a cohort of ten groups focused specifically on Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) development. Ten teams were selected out of the 29 applications received, demonstrating the high demand for PSH.

One of six priorities identified in Oregon’s Statewide Housing Plan, PSH provides service-enriched affordable housing to help the most vulnerable individuals and families lead more stable lives. This is a national model and best practice for serving individuals living with a serious persistent mental illness and persons experiencing chronic homelessness. PSH leads to cost savings in public systems by providing upfront intervention that creates savings downstream in the healthcare and justice systems.

“Too many of our community members are struggling to find and maintain housing,” said OHCS Director Margaret Salazar. “PSH is a proven model that changes lives to break the cycle of homelessness.  This is a first step for us to implement this model in Oregon.”

The Oregon Supportive Housing Institute will run from November to March with monthly two-day classes. Participates will receive individualized support in project planning, including a specialized supportive services plan, operating procedures, and PSH team development.  The cohort teams represent a diverse mix of urban and rural areas. The Institute provides a pathway for OHCS and partners to achieve the ambitious goal of 1000 units of PSH over the next five years to implement the Statewide Housing Plan. Participants in the Institute will receive preference when applying for PSH development funds. OHCS received $50 million in the 2019 Legislative Session for the creation of PSH homes. The Oregon Health Authority received $5.4 million for operations and supportive services.

The Ten Participants:

1. Home Forward is creating a PSH development in Portland’s Kenton neighborhood to serve chronically homeless populations.
2. Native American Youth and Family Center, working with Native American Rehabilitation Center of the Northwest, Housing Development Center, and Income Property Management Company, will create PSH homes within an existing affordable housing community in Portland’s St Johns neighborhood to serve chronically homeless populations.
3. Homes for Good Housing Agency is partnering with Lane County Health & Human Services, ShelterCare, and Quantum Residential to create PSH homes in Eugene to serve chronically homeless populations.
4. Northwest Housing Alternatives, working with Northwest Pilot Project and Income Property Management, is creating PSH homes in existing Proud Ground affordable housing in North Portland to serve seniors and chronically homeless populations.
5. NeighborWorks Umpqua, Housing Authority of Douglas County, Adapt, and United Community Action Network are working together to create a PSH development in Roseburg to serve chronically homeless populations.
6. ColumbiaCare Services, Inc., with the support of the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Housing Authority of Jackson County, and the Oregon Health Authority, is building a PSH development in Ashland to serve chronically homeless populations, particularly those living with serious mental illness.
7. Community Development Partners is working with JOIN and Guardian Management to develop new PSH homes and create PSH homes in existing affordable housing in Portland to serve chronically homeless populations.
8. Housing Authority of Clackamas County (HACC), with the support of Metro and Clackamas County, is creating PSH homes in an existing housing development in Gladstone to serve chronically homeless populations. HACC recently acquired the development.
9. Warm Springs Housing Authority and Behavioral Health Center are working together to create PSH homes in Warm Springs to serve chronically homeless populations.
10. Lake Health District is working with Klamath Housing Authority to create PSH homes in Lakeview to serve chronically homeless populations. Other community partners include Lake County Community Justice, Lake County Veterans Service Officer, and the Oregon Department of Human Services.

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