SALEM, Ore. — As communities nationwide grapple with shortages of both affordable housing and child care, a new development on the Oregon coast is bringing the two together in one place. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) celebrated last week with local partners the grand opening of Elm Park, an affordable housing development in Florence that will co-locate an early learning child care center. This project is set to provide much needed quality care for 60 children as well as 32 affordable homes for families.

“The value and vibrancy of rural Oregon cannot be understated for a lot of reasons including its innovation and connectivity,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “There are also unique challenges to manage to make sure local ideas and innovation can be delivered. These are locally driven ideas and solutions with flexible state resources that are delivering to make everyday life better and more affordable for Oregon families.”

Elm Park Learning Center is one of nine affordable housing projects co-located with child care facilities that BuildUp Oregon is currently slated to construct across the state to help create access to two essentials of family affordability that are often difficult to find.

“Families across Oregon are struggling to find both affordable housing and quality child care,” said DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee. “When those two essentials are separated, it creates daily barriers that make it harder for parents to work, continue their education, or simply stay afloat. Co-locating child care at affordable housing developments directly addresses those challenges. This project reflects our partnership with OHCS to meet families’ needs in one place, making it easier for parents to build stability while knowing their children are learning, growing, and receiving high‑quality care right where they live.”

The challenge extends beyond Oregon. A 2023 ReadyNation study estimates that insufficient care for children under age 3 costs the U.S. economy $172 billion each year in lost earnings and productivity. For working families, a lack of reliable child care can mean missed work, reduced hours, or lost income.

“Access to housing and child care are central to thriving communities and a prosperous, stable economy. As President Trump threatens core services, here in Oregon we’re expanding them,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “I’m excited to launch this site and optimize the shared space for Oregon families.”

The Elm Park Learning Center has partnered with Head Start of Lane County and Stepping Stones to open four classrooms. It will serve children aged 16 months to 5 years. The center is located in an affordable housing development with two- and three-bedroom homes developed by Our Coastal Village with Affiliate Chestnut Management LLC.

“Florence has always had a large number of people who commute here for jobs from far away,” said Our Coastal Village President and Founder Layne Morrill. “So, the need was there, especially for child care.”

Florence has been identified as a child care desert, meaning local families face many barriers to find available quality child care. The Head Start program will bring much needed quality early learning to the area. For more than six decades, Head Start’s comprehensive model – integrating early learning, health, developmental, and family support – has consistently strengthened children’s school readiness and long-term outcomes.

“This has been a project in the works for four years to address the child care desert in Florence, and lack of affordable housing for families. It was a vision, priority, and commitment by many community partners,” said Charleen Strauch, Executive Director of Head Start of Lane County.

These programs are cornerstones of Oregon’s early learning system and remain critical for all children, families, early care and education professionals, and communities are supported and empowered to thrive.

"One of the ways we can grow our state's economy is to ensure child care is accessible and available where working families live," said Rachel Langford, Director of Early Care and Education for BuildUp Oregon. "This ensures caregivers can go to work and children can receive valuable care in high quality environments in the communities in which they live."

This project received funding from Childcare Infrastructure Funds administered by Business Oregon and the OHCS Co-Location Fund administered by BuildUp Oregon. BuildUp Oregon supports partnerships between developers and providers to build new early care and education centers co-located with affordable housing across Oregon.

“The most exciting part for us is having community,” said Jesus Gutierrez, Elm Park resident. “For my 8-year-old and 1-year-old to have other children around to be friends with and have a safe place to play has been incredibly impactful for their development.”

OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell Audio Clip: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JKM-tpA0rQMJhaePLAWugnjXBKv41dXX/view?usp=sharing

OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell Video Clip: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wG2FBBEB5I0hPMjX_8lX28LOEKVn94Vi/view?usp=sharing

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 with low and moderate incomes. 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 the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care

The Department of Early Learning and Care’s mission is to foster coordinated, culturally appropriate, and family-centered services that recognize and respect the strengths and needs of all children, families, and early learning and care professionals. More information about DELC is available at Oregon.gov/DELC. You can also connect with DELC on Facebook or sign up for news alerts and updates.