Oregon housing agency awards nearly $23 million to create 157 affordable homes – half of them in Redmond, Sisters
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon Housing and Community Services announced Tuesday the approval of nearly $23 million toward creating 157 new homes across the state, about half of them at five developments in Redmond and Sisters.
"These investments will continue to help establish concrete pathways for Oregonians to pursue homeownership," the agency said.
“While no one community is identical, there is a shared need across communities for more affordable housing options. Even in this tough economy, our imperative is to continue fighting to ensure that Oregonians can still realize the dream of homeownership,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell.
This year, OHCS changed how it grants Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Homeownership funding for the development of new affordable homes through a rolling application process.
“By providing multiple opportunities for developers to apply for funding, instead of all at once, this new process can help accelerate new construction timelines in service to getting homes into communities faster, especially in rural areas,” Bell said.
In fact, 30% of the awarded projects will be built in rural communities. The Hope St. Project is a prime example of that and is the first affordable homeownership community in Hood River.
“After 32 years of building in the Gorge, Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity is very excited to build permanently affordable homes for the first time in Hood River,” said Chad Krause, executive director of Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity.
“With the help of Oregon LIFT funding, these new homes will be built and sold to hardworking members of our community who can't afford market-rate homes. Hood River teachers and retail workers—needed desperately in our small town—may now be able to purchase their own Habitat homes.”
Here are the 10 developments receiving this round of funding awards:
| Project | Location | Awardee | Units | Total Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1201 E 5th St | Newberg | Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity | 2 | $400,000 | |
| Adams Commons | Sisters | Sisters Habitat for Humanity | 19 | $3.8 million | |
| Breath of Life | Medford | Turning Point Program | 38 | $6.02 million | |
| Hope St Project | Hood River | Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity | 4 | $800,000 | |
| Myrtlewood Way | Gresham | Habitat for Humanity Portland Region | 20 | $2.68 million | |
| Rooted at 19th | Redmond | RootedHomes | 22 | $2,599,996 | |
| Rooted at Antler | Redmond | RootedHomes | 18 | $1.47 million | |
| Southtown II | Corvallis | DevNW | 16 | $2,815,610 | |
| Timber Cottages | Redmond | Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity | 13 | $1.45 million | |
| Woodlands | Sisters | Sisters Habitat for Humanity | 5 | $950,000 | |
Since the creation of the program in 2018, $71.3 million in LIFT funds have resulted in 47 projects with a total of 752 homes that are affordable to Oregonians.
For more detailed information about each recommended project, please refer to the Housing Stability Council packet from April 26, 2024.
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.
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Rep. Levy Brings $10.3 Million to Build Affordable Housing in Central Oregon
Oregon Housing and Community Services approved grants for 5 projects in Redmond and Sisters to build 77 units of affordable housing.
Bend, Ore. - Today, Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Central Oregon) is celebrating Oregon tax dollars coming to Central Oregon to build 77 units of housing because of funds set up by the legislature.
This week, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced the approval of nearly $23 million in grants towards building 157 new homes across the state, with about half of that funding on its way to Central Oregon.
“Central Oregon should be a place where all families can thrive and I’m committed to bringing our tax dollars back to the region,” said Levy. “Addressing the housing crisis in our region is top priority, and this 10.3 million dollars will make a real difference in keeping our community housed, healthy, and happy.”
Grant awards came from the OHCS Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Homeownership Program that the legislature established to be one of the standing mechanisms that Oregon has in place to create affordable housing for more Oregonians.
Of the 10 projects receiving funding, 5 were in Central Oregon:
- Sisters Habitat for Humanity received $3.8 million for Adams Commons, a complex to create 19 units of affordable housing.
- RootedHomes in Redmond received $2,599,996 for Rooted at 19th, a complex that will create 22 additional units of affordable housing.
- RootedHomes in Redmond received another $1.47 million for Rooted at Antler for an additional 18 units of affordable housing.
- Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity received $1.45 million for a project in Redmond called Timber Cottages to build 13 additional affordable housing units.
- Sisters Habitat for Humanity received $950,000 for Woodlands, a complex consisting of 5 affordable housing units.
Since the creation of the LIFT Homeownership Program, $71.3 million have been awarded, resulting in 47 projects and a total of 752 homes that are affordable to Oregonians.
