OCF wraps up Project Turnkey; $125 million state investment boosts emergency shelter housing by 36 percent

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Community Foundation and Oregon Housing and Community Services announced Monday that Project Turnkey (1.0 and 2.0) successfully wrapped up with 32 total shelter properties in 27 cities throughout 18 Oregon counties, adding 1,384 beds/units of emergency housing.

Project Turnkey represents a 36 percent total increase in the state's supply of emergency year-round shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness.

The latest Project Turnkey 2.0 grants came through funding of $50 million approved by the Oregon Legislature in March 2022, bringing the total Project Turnkey funding (1.0 and 2.0) to $125 million. 

“This achievement demonstrates what’s possible when the state and private partners work together to solve urgent needs in our communities,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “Thousands in need of shelter in 18 counties across the state will be able to find a safe place to stay and the support they need to stabilize their lives thanks to Project Turnkey.”

Each Project Turnkey operation is locally created, owned and operated by local government, nonprofit community partners or Tribes. Each Project Turnkey operation is designed to meet the needs of its community’s priority populations, ranging from college students, domestic violence survivors, fire survivors, Tribal community members and Veterans to people experiencing chronic homelessness, including people who are medically fragile.

“Project Turnkey demonstrates how we can take on complex housing challenges and create sustainable solutions through collaboration and innovation,” said Lisa Mensah, President and CEO, Oregon Community Foundation. “By nurturing trusted relationships with community partners throughout Oregon and investing strategically, we helped deliver critical support for our neighbors in need.”

Project Turnkey by the Numbers

Project Turnkey 2.0 (2022-2023)

$50 Million Investment

517 Units to shelter unhoused community members 

13 Project Turnkey 2.0 sites

11 Oregon Counties

Project Turnkey 1.0 (2020-2021)

$74.7 Million Investment

867 Units to shelter unhoused community members

19 Project Turnkey 1.0 sites

13 Oregon Counties

Find a detailed list of all Project Turnkey projects in the OCF Press Room.

“Oregon’s great need for shelter and housing of all types remains, but today we celebrate the many successes of Project Turnkey with our partners across the state,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “Positive outcomes can prevail when we tackle the urgency of this challenge with community led and data driven solutions that center our collective humanity. Our economies and communities are stronger when all people have access to their basic needs to which housing is fundamental.” 

What’s Next

The Project Turnkey Community Advisory Committee will officially conclude soon by reviewing insights and sharing key learnings with OCF and the state.

“Local communities need resources to address the housing crisis they’re facing along with rapid rehousing solutions such as those provided by Project Turnkey,” said Ernesto Fonseca, Chief Executive Officer of Hacienda CDC and Project Turnkey Advisory Committee member. “Project Turnkey is an example of the Oregon Legislature entrusting OCF and the Advisory Committee to steward these funds to local communities to stand up shelter and housing rapidly.”OCF will deliver a report to the Oregon Legislature in early 2024.

“We are so grateful for the dedication and engagement of these key advisors to Project Turnkey,” said Megan Loeb, Senior Program Officer, Economic Vitality and Housing, Oregon Community Foundation. “They have remained laser focused on community and equity in this work,” Ms. Loeb continued, speaking of the Advisory Committee of diverse stakeholders that provided review and recommendation for all Project Turnkey grants.

 OCF offers support for Oregon’s housing needs along a continuum — from shelter to supportive housing to affordable housing to equitable home ownership — through a variety of tools, including research, grants, advocacy, and low-interest loans. OCF’s administration of Project Turnkey is one example of the innovative, collaborative approaches that are helping more Oregonians find affordable, stable housing. 

About Project Turnkey 2.0 (2022-2023) 

Based on the success of the Project Turnkey 1.0, and in the face on ongoing need for emergency shelter, on March 4, 2022, the Oregon Legislature allocated $50 million in new funding for more emergency shelters around the state for Project Turnkey 2.0.  

To learn more: Oregon Community Foundation and Oregon Housing and Community Services Poised to Launch Project Turnkey 2.0 with $50M in State Funding.  

OCF and OHCS Roles 

Oregon Community Foundation served as the grantor and fiduciary, administering state-funded Project Turnkey grants with guidance from a diverse statewide Advisory Committee. 

Oregon Housing and Community Services provided advice and support for OCF as the State’s Housing Finance Agency. Additionally, OHCS has received resources to administer funds to the recipients of Project Turnkey 2.0 grants. This includes ongoing monitoring and oversight of these funds and the projects they support. 

Background 

In 2020 the Oregon Legislature allocated a total of $74.7 million for Project Turnkey 1.0 (2020-2021), for the purpose of acquiring motels/hotels for use as safe shelter for people experiencing homelessness, at-risk of homelessness or displaced by wildfires. 

In less than seven months, Project Turnkey 1.0 created 19 new shelters in 13 counties, leading to a 20% increase in the state supply of shelter beds. Each property is locally owned and operated by a local nonprofit organization or entity (such as a city or county).  

To learn more, please visit: https://oregoncf.org/assets/PDFs-and-Docs/PDFs/project-turnkey-report.pdf  

About Oregon Community Foundation 

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) was founded in 1973 with a big mission: to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF works to strengthen communities in every county in Oregon through research, grantmaking and scholarships. In 2022, OCF distributed more than $180 million, supporting 3,500 grantees and awarding more than 3,000 scholarships. With OCF, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create charitable funds that meet the needs of diverse communities statewide. 

2023 marks OCF’s 50th anniversary. Since its founding, OCF has distributed more than $2.2 billion in community investments, including grants to 10,850 nonprofits and 53,375 scholarships to students. Individuals, families, businesses, and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, please visit: oregoncf.org. 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services 

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) provides resources for Oregonians to reduce poverty and increase access to stable housing. OHCS focuses on both housing and community services to serve Oregonians holistically across the housing continuum, including preventing and ending homelessness, assisting with utilities, providing housing stability support, financing multifamily affordable housing and encouraging homeownership. To learn more, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.