2022 NOFA release
We are pleased to announce the release of several Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) to develop affordable housing. The LIFT Rental NOFA serves to fund the creation of new affordable rental units, the LIFT Homeownership NOFA aims to fund the creation of new affordable homeownership opportunities, and the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) NOFA provides funding for the development of affordable rental housing paired with supportive services and rental assistance for those experiencing chronic homelessness. The LIFT NOFAs also offer additional direct funding available for Wildfire Disaster areas. Read more information about the NOFAs and webinars. All NOFA webinars will be recorded and posted on the OHCS website. You may also find our funding calendar online.

New housing data profiles are now available

The OHCS research team is pleased to share the Oregon County Profiles, a new comprehensive data dashboard designed to help the agency and our partners understand the demographics of Oregonians most in need of affordable housing and housing stability. Users can view many data variables at the statelevelor filter the information by county. Available data includes:
  • poverty level by race/ethnicity
  • housing cost burden by race/ethnicity
  • homeownership rates
  • median family income
  • vacancy rate
  • housing shortage by income level
  • housing market trends
These profiles are a resource for those who want to understand housing needs by county. When possible, OHCS aims to show this information by race, ethnicity, and gender to highlight the impact that systemic racism and a history of discriminatory policies have had on Black and Indigenous people of color (BIPOC) communities and other impacted populations. If you have questions about this resource, please email Senior Research Analyst Elise Cordle Kennedy at elise.cordlekennedy@hcs.oregon.gov.
System Development Charge study
is underway

During the 2021 Legislative Session, Oregon lawmakers approved House Bill 3040, which includes a study of the impact System Development Charges (SDC) have on the cost of developing market-rate and affordable housing. OHCS recently signed a contract with ECONorthwest to lead the study, and they will work with Galardi Rothstein Group and FDC group for expertise in SDC rate setting and methodology. A final report will be provided to the Legislature in December 2022 and will include a comprehensive outline of:

  • SDC methodologies
  • the history and role of SDC’s as a mechanism for funding infrastructure
  • their effect on housing affordability
  • other salient issues
OHCS and ECONorthwest will engage stakeholders throughout this process. If you have questions about this study or would like to receive updates, please email Senior Research Analyst Elise Cordle Kennedy at elise.cordlekennedy@hcs.oregon.gov. 
Homeowner Assistance Fund Phase 2 is open
The Homeowner Assistance Fund, which helps homeowners who have fallen behind in their mortgage payments and other housing costs due to the coronavirus pandemic, is now open for homeowners to apply for Phase 2. OHCS recommends that all delinquent homeowners first receive foreclosure avoidance counseling because HAF may not be the best long-term option for many Oregon homeowners. There may be an alternate program that is a better choice. Homeowners can speak with a servicer or housing counselor about their options.
Homeowners eligible for Phase 2 include those who can provide clear documentation that they:
  • received a certificate of compliance from the Oregon Foreclosure Avoidance program,
  • received foreclosure avoidance counseling related to a private mortgage or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) loan that is at least 120+ days delinquent,
  • are receiving disaster unemployment benefits,
  • are seniors with reverse mortgages, or
  • are in a property tax foreclosure redemption period, which follows a county tax lien foreclosure. 
Homeowners also can sign up to receive email updates when the next phases open. 
Oregon Bond Residential Loan Program recognizes Top Loan Officer and Top Lender for 2021 mortgage loan production
We are pleased to announce Julie Nash of loanDepot as the 2021 Top Loan Officer. She has been utilizing the Oregon Bond Residential Loan Program since 1999 and is a trusted lending partner. She provides exceptional hands-on service, takes pride in her product and process knowledge, and makes every effort to match the best loan to each borrower’s needs.
The Top Lender for 2021 is Guild Mortgage. Since 1960, it has been a nationally recognized independent mortgage lender. Guild’s culture and commitment to diversity and inclusion enable it to deliver a personalized experience for each customer. They have received the Top Lender award in 2019 and 2020. We value their continued support of first-time homebuyers with their mortgage financing.
OERAP accepting applications for a limited time
On Jan. 26, the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) began accepting new rental assistance applications for a limited reopening of at least three weeks, based on the availability of funds. To serve the most households, tenants who apply on or after Jan. 26 who already received assistance through OERAP are not eligible to receive additional assistance. Households with the most need will have priority in accessing these resources, not on a first-come, first-served basis. SB 891 directs OHCS to first process applications received before the Dec. 1, 2021, pause. Applications received on or after Jan. 26, 2022, will be processed after those applications are processed. Additionally, applications received on or after Jan. 26, 2022, will be paid based on the remaining funding available and are not guaranteed. Tenants who apply can receive safe harbor eviction protections that prevent a landlord from evicting a tenant until their application is processed, paid, or denied. Tenants must show proof to their landlord that they applied for the program to receive the protections. Tenants can find more information and apply for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program at oregonrentalassistance.org. Applying for OERAP is now easier with the simplified application.
Oregon 2022 Legislature Session update
This week began the marathon 35-day 2022 legislative session with leaders gathering in Salem to consider policy and investments to improve the lives of Oregonians. Governor Kate Brown is requesting a $400 million General Fund investment in housing programs to increase the supply of affordable rental housing, prevent Oregon from losing any existing affordable housing, support community recovery from COVID, and provide opportunities for low-income Oregonians to achieve and maintain homeownership. These investments fit within existing programs or initiatives to ensure that OHCS can successfully deliver resources and include:
  • $339.5 million in housing supply, expanding homes for rent or purchase and preserving affordable housing
  • $170 million for the preservation of publicly supported housing properties with expiring affordability regulations
  • $50 million in gap funding for projects that are approved and awarded but now have funding gaps due to pandemic-related cost increases
  • $35 million in additional funding for the next small affordable housing projects funding offering, providing up to 175 new homes for renters
  • $25 million in additional funding for the Land Acquisition Program (LAP) to expand the use to include projects that will have delays in obtaining bond financing due to the Private Activity Bond cap constraints
  • $29.5 million for manufactured home park preservation
  • $30 million to use in combination with the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) homeownership program to close financing gaps and make project viable, especially in rural areas and urban projects that are building to a higher density
  • $25 million to increase housing counseling and dispute resolution services. A portion of this funding will go toward mediation and counseling services for manufactured homeowners
  • $35 million for the Individual Development Account (IDA) initiative to support asset building and community resiliency
  • $500,000 in homelessness coordination and human infrastructure, investing in Built for Zero statewide and establishing the Interagency Council on Homelessness
These investments may change and evolve over the course of the session in response to legislator and stakeholder feedback, as well as funding availability and program needs. Please be on the lookout for any updates from the OHCS Government Relations team, and email Assistant Director of Government Relations Nicole Stingh at nicole.stingh@hcs.oregon.gov if you would like to help advocate for these resources.
Apply for the 2022 Oregon Supportive Housing Institute
OHCS and The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) are excited to announce Oregon’s third Supportive Housing Institute. The 2022 Institute will help supportive housing partners learn how to navigate the complex process of developing housing with support services and reduce the time it takes to obtain funding for supportive housing by improving the planning, development, and initial project implementation process. The five-month institute will have a primary focus on building the capacity of both new and experienced housing developers and service providers to serve households experiencing chronic homelessness throughout Oregon. Learn more and apply online.
     Photos courtesy of Gallatin Public Affairs
The Jackson opens its doors to wildfire survivors  
On Jan. 31,  local and state partners, including OHCS Deputy Director Caleb Yant, gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Jackson, the former Americas Best Value Inn in Medford, Oregon, that was recently converted to rental housing.  
It truly was a joint effort. Fortify Holdings purchased and remodeled the 84 units, while Rogue Community Health is leasing and renting them out to people who lost their homes in the 2020 Almeda wildfire. OHCS has provided funding for rental assistance, and ACCESS has been assisting wildfire survivors with the application process.  
While there is still a lot of work ahead to rebuild and recover from the wildfires, it’s exciting to celebrate the completion of these new and much-needed homes in this community. For more information, check out the coverage: 
Update on $422 million in federal funding dedicated to wildfire recovery 
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released details of a Federal Register Notice that will allow OHCS to move forward on developing an Action Plan for $422 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for the areas of the state that HUD identified as the most impacted by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, and Marion counties, as well as the 97358 Zip Code in Linn County.  
The Federal Register Notice requires a series of steps OHCS must take before accessing funds. These steps include:  
  • Unmet Needs Assessment 
  • Mitigation Needs Assessment 
  • Action Plan with public comment 
  • Public engagement process 
  • Certification process 
OHCS has already started work on these required steps, but it will take months before funding is accessible. 
Find more details about the Federal Register Notice on the HUD website. For more information about Oregon’s Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery and mitigation efforts, visit OHCS' CDBG webpage and sign up for wildfire housing recovery email updates.