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OHCS Programs
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Article Content  |
| 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. |
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| Community Capacity Building |
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Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) - CSBG Program Factsheet (.pdf) 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.
Manufactured Communities Resource Center
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 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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| Food Assistance |
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Oregon Hunger Response Fund (OHRF)
Formerly known as the General Fund Food Program, the Oregon Hunger Response Fund 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. Find a food pantry near you, call 1-800-777-7427.
Emergency Food Assistance Program The Emergency Food Assistance Program statewide through twenty (20) Regional Food Banks. 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.
OHCS subcontracts with the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon to distribute USDA commodities to tribal members on the Umatilla Tribe reservation in Oregon.
Created by the 1989 Legislature, the Hunger Relief Task Force 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. |
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| Grants and Tax Credits |
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Farmworker Housing Development Program
Created in 2001, the Farmworker Housing Development Account was designed to provide grants or loans to construct new housing or to acquire and rehabilitate existing structures for low and very low-income farmworkers.
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.
General Housing Account Program (GHAP)
Since 2009, GHAP has supported two primary activities: to fund the development of affordable multifamily housing developments, and increasing the capacity of OHCS partners to meet the state’s affordable housing needs. All projected uses are subject to availability of revenue.
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 for low and 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 low income 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 rehabilitated or new housing construction projects 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 Prevention |
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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 address the gaps identified in the Continuum of Care systems comprised of 26 rural counties in the state of Oregon.
Emergency Housing Account Created in 1991, the Emergency Housing Account assists persons who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. Program funds are used to fund the Emergency Housing Program that provides services such 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.
Emergency Shelter Grant Program The Emergency Shelter Grant Program began in 1987 as part of the McKinney-Vento Act administered by HUD. Program funds are used to increase the bed capacity of emergency shelters and to support homeless prevention activities.
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 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 Created by the 1987 Oregon Legislature, the State Homeless Assistance Program is designed to fund emergency shelter and auxiliary services directly related to emergency shelters. |
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| Homeownership |
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Downpayment Assistance Program
Program funds provide 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 (Oregon Bond 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 network of lenders, the program assists first-time homebuyers, that meet certain income restrictions, by offering attractive interest rates, usually .75 percent to one percent below the market rate. The program also assists with down-payment and/or closing costs.
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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. The program 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 by the financing of new housing construction, or acquisition and/or rehabilitation of existing housing, for low- and very-low-income households.
Mobile Home Park Purchase Program
The MHPP program is a revolving loan program that provides low interest prepurchase financing to park residents for the acquisition of their park.
Oregon Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program
The Oregon Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program is a low-interest loan program for the development and preservation of farm worker housing.
Pass-Through Revenue Bond Financing Program (Conduit)
The Program provides tax-exempt bond funds to finance the construction, rehabilitation and acquisition of multi-unit affordable housing for lower-income Oregonians while providing sufficient safeguards to protect the financial interest of the bond issuer. The program provides additional flexibility in the loan structure and providing an efficient process for underwriting and loan approval.
Predevelopment Loan Program
The 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 program 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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HOME Tenant-Based Assistance Program (HTBA)
The HOME Tenant-Based Assistance program utilizes 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. Find program help in your area.
Rent Guarantee Program
Many agencies provide tenant readiness classes to low-income persons with poor credit histories or rental performance problems. Class graduates may be eligible to use the OHCS Rent Guarantee Program in addition to their graduation certificate. The Rent Guarantee offers the landlord reimbursement of unpaid rent and/or damage to the rental unit. The program helps to place hard to house individuals in permanent housing.
Section 8 Project-Based Assistance
Section 8 Project-Based Assistance funds, by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency, 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.
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| For More Information |
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The Regional Advisors to the Department (RADs) provide outreach to Oregon communities to identify and address 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.
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