| OHCS Programs |
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| What We Do |
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Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing and supportive services for moderate, low, and very-low income Oregonians. The coordination between housing and services creates a continuum of programs that can assist and empower lower-income individuals and families in their efforts to become self-reliant. These efforts also strengthen the workforce and bring other economic and social benefits to communities.
Through a network of Regional Advisors to the Department (RADs), OHCS works with public and private partners to identify program needs, coordinate OHCS programs, and coordinate efforts with regional Governor’s Economic Revitalization teams.
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| Community Capacity Building |
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Community Service Block Grant
The CSBG Program, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services provides operating and program funds for community-based organizations called Community Action Agencies. These organizations typically coordinate and administer a variety of services to assist low-income Oregonians, and serve as key partners to the Department.
Community Development Corporations
CDCs are private, not-for-profit corporations that promote community involvement by targeting revitalization efforts to a specific geographic service area. As community-based organizations, CDCs encourage the involvement of local residents to help revitalize the physical and social aspects of the community.
For more information, c ontact: Regional Advisor (RAD) at 503.986.2000
This program assists park owners and residents in resolving concerns associated with their parks and living situations through informal dispute resolution, and to engage in activities that may lead to improvements in manufactured dwelling park relationships.
The Program’s objective is to revitalize downtown areas and main streets; to develop affordable housing near jobs and transportation; and to help rebuild rural and distressed communities. For more information, c ontact: Regional Advisor (RAD) at 503.986.2000
The Oregon Volunteers, housed within OHCS, has the mission to promote and support AmeriCorps, volunteerism, and civic engagement in order to strengthen Oregon communities. The program is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
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| Energy & Weatherization |
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Low Income Weatherization Program
The Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program provides weatherization and energy conservation services at no cost to households below 60% of Oregon statewide median income.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally funded program through the US Department of Health and Human Services designed to help low income households with home heating costs.
Oregon Energy Assistance Program
The Oregon Energy Assistance Program provides low-income Oregonians with electric bill payment assistance. This program is delivered primarily through Community Action Agencies.
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| Food Assistance |
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General Fund Food Program
The General Fund Food Program supports Linkage Projects carried out by the Regional Food Banks and “food acquisition” for the network of agencies serves by the Food Banks and Oregon Food Bank. Funds are also used to demonstrate the benefits of local control of commodity purchasing. Need Food? Find a food pantry near you, call 1-800-777-7427.
Emergency Food Assistance Program
The Oregon Food Bank coordinates The Emergency Food Assistance Program statewide through twenty (20) Regional Food Banks. Need Food? Find a food pantry near you, call 1-800-777-7427.
Community Food and Nutrition Program
The Community Food and Nutrition Program (CFNP) provides funds to the Oregon Food Bank for training in such areas as Food Stamp outreach, nutrition education, fundraising, food drives, building community partnerships, recruiting and retaining volunteers, and USDA regulations. Need Food? Find a food pantry near you, call 1-800-777-7427.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides assistance to low-income persons who are more vulnerable to malnutrition. Need Food? Find a food pantry near you, call 1-800-777-7427.
The Department administers the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, specifically targeting the Umatilla Tribe in Oregon. OHCS subcontracts with the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon to distribute USDA commodities to tribal members on the reservation.
Hunger Relief Task Force
The Hunger Relief Task Force, created by the 1989 Legislature, acts as a resource within government on hunger and as a statewide advocate on hunger issues. The HRTF serves as the policy advisory arm of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Hunger, which in turn advises the Governor on policies and issues related to hunger. The costs of carrying out the work of the task force are covered primarily by equal contributions from member state agencies of the coordinating council. The Department coordinates the collection, cash management and distribution of these funds to the task force. Need Food? Find a food pantry near you, call 1-800-777-7427.
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| Grants and Tax Credits |
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Affordable Housing Development
The Housing Development Account (HDA) is a pass-through account for activities designed to create affordable housing opportunities through the use of funding generated by the Department’s bond and tax credit programs.
Alcohol and Drug Free Housing
ADF housing funds through the Office of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) provide grants of up to $200,000 for the construction of new housing or rehabilitation of existing structures. Designated units must serve those at 30 percent or below the area median income.
Farmworker Housing Development Program
The Farmworker Housing Development Account was created in 2001 to expand the state’s supply of housing for low and very low-income farmworkers. It is designed to provide grants or loans to construct new housing or to acquire and rehabilitate existing structures.
Farmworker Housing Tax Credit Program
The Farmworker Housing Tax Credit Program gives a state income tax credit to owners who incur costs to construct, install or rehabilitate farm worker housing.
HELP Program
The HELP Program is a grant program that provides financial assistance to housing developments for very-low-income families or individuals. Funds for this program come from HUD under the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
The HOME Investment Partnerships Program provides federal funds for the development of affordable housing for low- and very-low-income households. Eligible activities under the state’s program include acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation of multifamily rental housing.
Housing Development Grant Program
The Housing Development Grant Program provides grants and loans to construct new housing, or to acquire and/or rehabilitate existing structures, effectively expanding the supply of housing for lowand very-low-income families and individuals. This program encourages leveraging of state grant dollars with other public and private sources.
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program provides federal income tax credits to developers who construct, rehabilitate, or acquire and rehabilitate qualified lowincome rental housing. These development projects encompass multi-family units, and Rural Development housing developments.
Low Income Weatherization Program
The Low Income Weatherization Program provides funds for installing weatherization measures in rehabilitation or new construction of projects. Funds can be used to increase the efficiency of heating and other uses of energy in multi-family housing through the installation of energy efficient insulation, windows, appliances, light fixtures, and other energy-reducing activities.
Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program
The Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program provides a state income tax credit for affordable housing loans. Lenders reduce the interest rate to affordable housing sponsors by up to 4 percent.
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| Homelessness |
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Continuum of Care
The Continuum of Care Program brings together OHCS, Community Action Directors of Oregon, County mental health agencies, and homeless housing and service providers from around the state to develop projects that begin to address the gaps identified in our Continuum of Care systems in 26 rural counties in the State of Oregon.
Emergency Housing Account
The Emergency Housing Account was created in 1991 to assist persons who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. Monies in the account are used to fund the Emergency Housing Program to provide such services as emergency shelter, transitional housing, support services, rent, utility, and mortgage assistance to low income Oregonians that are homeless or at-risk of being homeless. The populations served through this program include the elderly (65 and older), disabled, farmworkers, Native Americans, and many other groups. Designated lead agencies coordinate the use of these funds through an inclusive community planning process.
Emergency Shelter Grant Program
The Emergency Shelter Grant Program began in 1987 as part of the McKinney-Vento Act administered by HUD. This money is used to increase the bed capacity of emergency shelters and to support homeless prevention activities. Funds are distributed in non-entitlement areas to lead agencies through a formula based on the homeless and at-risk population in each geographic region.
Ending Homelessness Advisory Council (EHAC)
The EHAC was created by Executive Order in April, 2006. OHCS chairs and provides staff support to the council. The council is comprised of 24 members representing private and public organizations working to end homelessness in Oregon. The council will be identifying best practices for aiding the homeless and will be developing a strategic plan to end chronic homelessness. The council coordinates with the Hunger Relief Task Force and the Oregon Commission on Children and Families.
Housing Stabilization Program
This program is designed to provide assistance to low-and very-low income homeless or at-risk households with children. OHCS distributes funds to designated lead agencies through a formula based on the number of homeless and at-risk population in each geographic region to supplement existing funds or create new programs for services such as shelter, rent, utilities, mortgage, food, child care, transportation, health services and case management.
State Homeless Assistance Program
The State Homeless Assistance Program was established by the Oregon Legislature in 1987 and is designed to fund emergency shelter and auxiliary services directly related to emergency shelters. Eligible activities may include nutritional assistance, personal hygiene, and referral. The program is administered at the local level by community agencies which are encouraged to assist participants to access other services to meet longer-term needs whenever possible.
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| Home Ownership |
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American Dream Down Payment Initiative
The American Dream Down Payment program was implemented in early Fall 2004 and will provide lowincome households with down payment and closing cost assistance in order to close a Purchase Assistance Loan (PAL) with the Department. The program will do targeted outreach to public housing authority agencies and residents of manufactured home parks.
Home Ownership Assistance Program
The Home Ownership Assistance Program provides grants to organizations that use the funds, in conjunction with other resources, to assist low- and very low income Oregon households to purchase a home. Homeownership may be achieved for participating program households through lease-to-own programs, construction of new housing, or acquisition of existing housing, with or without rehabilitation. Program funding provides eligible homebuyers with assistance with the down payment, closing costs, or other means to make ownership feasible, as well as to assure home ownership education.
Homebuyer Program
The Residential Loan Program is a below-market-rate home loan program made possible through the sale of tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds. Working through a broad network of lenders and over 400 loan officers, the program strives to help first-time homebuyers who meet certain income restrictions by offering attractive interest rates, usually .75 percent to one percent below the market rate, and assistance for down-payment and/or closing costs.
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| Housing Rehabilitation |
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Regional Housing Centers (CDBG)
Regional housing centers meet multiple housing needs of low and moderate-income persons for specific geographic regions. The goal is to provide one stop shopping and resource assistance. The regional housing center provides either direct assistance to citizens within the defined region or linkages with other housing providers to access housing resources.
Rural Home Repair
The purpose of the program is to develop a means for low-income homeowners to reside in decent, safe and sanitary housing. The program pays for the repair and maintenance of existing low-income family housing in rural Oregon.
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| Multifamily Loans |
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Elderly and Disabled Loan Program (E&D)
The Elderly and Disabled Loan Program provides below-market interest rate permanent mortgage loans by issuing tax-exempt bonds. This program also finances apartments, congregate care, residential care, and assisted living facilities for the elderly, as well as group care homes for the mentally or physically disabled.
Loan Guarantee Program
The Loan Guarantee Program provides guarantees to lenders and lease guarantees to sponsors to assist in the financing of new housing construction or for the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of existing housing for low- and very-low-income families.
Mobile Home Park Purchase Program
The MHPP program is a revolving loan fund that provides low interest prepurchase financing to park residents for the acquisition of their park. Interest rate is up to 4%, and loan term is up to 3 years.
Oregon Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program
The Oregon Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program is a low-interest loan fund for the development and preservation of farm worker housing.
Predevelopment Loan Program
The OHCS Predevelopment Loan Program, similar to the Seed Money Loan Program, provides below market financing on flexible terms for site acquisition and predevelopment costs.
Risk Sharing Loan Program
The Risk Sharing Loan Program provides below-market interest rate, permanent mortgage loans by issuing tax-exempt bonds. A partnership between the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and OHCS provides credit enhancement on the tax-exempt bonds.
Seed Money Advance Loan Program
The Seed Money Advance Loan Program is a $250,000 non-budgeted revolving loan fund that provides no-interest loans to qualified non-profits and interest-bearing loans to for-profit borrowers.
Vertical Housing Program
The program encourages mixed-use commercial / residential developments through a partial property tax exemption in areas designated by communities.
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| Rental Housing Assistance |
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Section 8 Rent Subsidy Assistance Program
Section 8 Project-Based Assistance funds provided by Housing & Urban Development(HUD) are passed through Oregon Housing and Community Services for rental assistance to qualified low-income Oregonians. Funds are dedicated to specific housing projects that have contracts with HUD to provide rental subsidy assistance.
HOME Tenant-Based Assistance Program (HTBA)
The HOME Tenant-Based Assistance program uses federal funds to subsidize rental payments for very low-income families and individuals. HOMETBA provides households with transitional rental assistance and case management to assist them in achieving self-sufficiency.
Low-Income Rental Housing Fund Program (LIRHF)
The Low-Income Rental Housing Fund program provides very low-income households with transitional rental assistance and case management to assist them in achieving self-sufficiency.
Tenant Readiness (TRP)
The Tenant Readiness Program works with community-based organizations
that provide life skills training to low-income persons with past credit or tenant performance problems. The program also targets hard to place individuals such as the homeless or ex-offenders. Training may include personal budgeting, tenant/landlord relationships, and other relevant matters. After individuals successfully complete training, the community-based organization may offer a landlord a rent guarantee, providing additional assurance that the individual will be a responsible tenant. OHCS provides funds to community-based programs enabling rent guarantees of $1,000 or one month’s rent for program participants.
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| For More Information |
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The Regional Advisors to the Department (RADs) provide outreach to Oregon communities in identifying and addressing critical community development activities. RADs provide assistance to communities in capacity building, financing of affordable housing developments, and advocate with local communities, governments, and decision-makers to gain acceptance in the siting of affordable and special needs housing.
Utilizing a mix of available funding sources, OHCS subsidizes all forms of housing development, from new construction and rehabilitation to first-time home buyer assistance. As a result of this assistance, more communities are beginning to recognize the link between housing, economic development, infrastructure and community facilities.
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