Background
As the state's housing finance agency, OHCS distributes funding allocated from state and federal programs for new construction, rehabilitation, and preservations of affordable rental housing statewide. OHCS currently manages upwards of fifteen active development funding programs. OHCS funding process have evolved over time in response to feedback from our development partners and other funding jurisdictions. Previous offerings were delivered through Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA).
Why we need your input
With Governor Kotek's Executive Order on Affordable Housing (EO 23-04) to increase the rate of production and overwhelming support in affordable housing investments during the 2023 legislative session including $721 million to address supply solutions, OHCS ARH is working to reposition and update and streamline the process by which funds are requested and allocated. The scale of resources allocated for the biennium mandates that we do business differently and align funding processes with Governor Kotek's Housing Supply Goals. We are engaging to inform funding process updates and to get input into how we program the use of available development funds.
How will engagement work?Each meeting will cover a topic or a set of related topics. The objective is to gain insight and perspective from business partners and stakeholders to inform the development of a framework for funding opportunities. ARH Leadership will provide Housing Stability Council with monthly updates and opportunities for direction throughout the engagement series.
Goals for the future of funding opportunities are:
- Centralized application process
- Funding closer to shovel ready
- Streamlined policy objectives and set asides for funding sources
Engagement series schedule