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Oregon Housing and Community Services

  • Most State Offices Closed this Friday, May 24
    Oregon Housing and Community Services along with most offices and buildings of state government, will be closed Friday, May 24. This is the tenth of 10 mandatory, unpaid furlough days that employees must take during the state's current two-year budget period. It is in response to the recession that has reduced state revenues and has forced the Legislature to make deep cuts in agency budgets. Coping with these cuts requires closing most state offices and facilities on the days listed in the link below. State workers affected by the closures will take unpaid furloughs on those days.
     
    Tenants of Section 8 projects can still reach our tenant health and safety hotline on Friday: 1-800-453-5511.
     
    For more details, visit: www.oregon.gov/pages/furlough_closures.aspx
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  • May is Preservation Month
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    May is National Historic Preservation Month when special attention is paid to preserving historic properties across the United States and throughout Oregon.

    Over the years Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has supported many historic preservation projects. The following are some great examples of how OHCS and its local affordable housing partners are helping restore and preserve some of Oregon's historically significant buildings, while at the same time, providing affordable rental housing opportunities to some of Oregon's most vulnerable citizens.

     
  • OHCS Transition Planning
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    The Governor has called upon Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to develop a new way of delivering housing and community services. Specifically the Governors' Balance Budget (GBB) released on November 30, 2012 asks that OHCS develop "a new model of state governance, service delivery, and community partnership" for housing and safety net services.
  • Housing Counseling Services Available Throughout Oregon
    Housing Counseling In Oregon.jpg
    Are you struggling to make your house payment?  You should know that you are not alone.  The State of Oregon has free housing counseling.  They are here to help; to explain your options; to connect you to programs and services; and help you make a plan that works for you. It’s free. It’s confidential and it’s here for you now.  Go to OregonHomeownerSupport.gov to take the first step and start moving forward. 
     
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  • New Legal Assistance Program for Low-Income Households Facing Foreclosure


    Low-income homeowners and renters affected by foreclosure now have access to new a statewide service that provides free legal assistance from an attorney to help address urgent foreclosure issues. 
     
    Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has contracted with Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) to develop and deliver the new program.  The statewide service will be offered both over the phone and in person from offices in Portland, Medford, Hillsboro, Eugene and Bend.
     
    Interested households can call 1-855-412-8828 toll-free or 503-227-0198 in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties to learn more about the program. Read news release here.
     
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  • Record Low Interest Rate for First-Time Homebuyers


    Oregon Housing and Community Services has lowered the interest rate for its first-time homebuyer program known as the “Oregon Bond” loan to a record low interest rate of 3.125%. Additionally, the program has lowered the interest rate for its CashAdvantage Home Loan to 3.625%, also a record low. The CashAdvantage loan includes a closing cost grant equal to 3% of the loan amount, and helps first-time homebuyers reduce the total amount of cash needed for their purchase. Both options are for 30-year fixed rate loans, with a combined loan origination and discount fee of 1.75% of the loan amount.
    Read News Release here
     
    Related link: OregonBond.us
    Related link: Find a Lender
  • New Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program Expands Statewide
     
    Distressed homeowners throughout Oregon can now apply for up to $20,000 to pay off past-due payments and become current on their mortgage. The Loan Preservation Assistance (LPA) Program was piloted earlier this year in select Oregon counties and is now available statewide. The program aims to help more than 2,000 Oregon homeowners avoid foreclosure by bringing their mortgages current.
    Read News Release here.
     
    Related link: OregonHomeownerHelp.org
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Oregon Housing and Community Services Current Topics
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For Our Partners
Research and AnalysisOHCS is an Equal Housing Opportunity Provider 
OHCS 2013-15 Governor's Balanced Budget
OHCS 2013-15 Governor's Balanced Budget
OHCS will present its agency budget to the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development on March 18th and 19th. This presentation is intended to serve as a high level overview of the agency budget and programs.
Related Links:
2013 Ways and Means Presentation
OHCS 2013-15 Governor's Balanced Budget
10-Year Plan for Oregon
10-Year Plan for Oregon
10-Year Plan for Oregon is a state effort to focus and tie investments to specific outcomes in six key policy areas: 1- Education, 2- Healthy People, 3- Economy and Jobs, 4- Healthy Environment, 5- Safety, and 6- Improving Government.
Learn more about the 10-Year Plan for Oregon here.
Follow us on Twitter and YouTube! 
Oregon Housing and Community Services has added the social media sites Twitter and YouTube to its communication and outreach program. Our goal is to reach all those interested in affordable housing development, homeownership, homelessness prevention and intervention.
 
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