Legislative Concepts
Supportive Housing
OHCS is seeking to establish a statutory Supportive Housing program that differentiates three eligible program pathways: a central Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) model for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness; Intensive Permanent Supportive Housing (IPSH) for people exiting institutions with high behavioral health needs; and a flexible Service Enriched (SE) option for residents who require moderate or limited assistance.
Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit (OAHTC) Community Fund
Would allow any unused OAHTC credit cap for the year to be given to CDFIs or housing-focused nonprofits and sold to generate capital for investment in development, preservation, or routed back to the agency for use in existing programs. The concept also creates a “Community Fund” where philanthropic or other private donations will be deposited for use alongside OAHTC proceeds routed back to OHCS.
Predevelopment
OHCS is seeking to make predevelopment an eligible use for the Housing Development and Guarantee Fund.
Policy Option Packages
LIFT Rental (XI-Q Bonds) – $540M
Develops new affordable rental housing through the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) program, a nationally awarded development program spurring development in rural and urban communities. Continues LIFT Rental at the funded level in the initial 2025-27 biennium Legislative Adopted Budget (LAB).
PSH Funding (XI-Q Bonds) – $80M
Supports the "Tiered PSH" legislative concept: $80 million capital financing for Tier 2 and 3 PSH projects via Article XI-Q bonds. Tier 1 projects will be supported by OHCS’s other development resources. Units built from these dollars are not expected to come online in 27-29, so no General Fund is requested. However, OHCS aims to include roll-up costs as part of current service level funding for 2029-31 and beyond. One full-time equivalent (FTE) is needed, using agency funds (Other Funds) to scale capacity.
Affordable Rental Preservation and Stabilization – TBD
Preservation helps the state avoid losing ground on total available units. Keeping existing rent-restricted housing affordable and well-maintained is as important as building new. OHCS preservation work focuses on five risk types:
- Expiration of federal project-based rent assistance;
- Expiration of other project affordability restrictions;
- Physical conditions challenges;
- Financial challenges;
- Loss of naturally occurring affordable housing in manufactured home parks through market shift.
Portfolio-Expansion Compliance Capacity – TBD
- Seeks sufficient capacity for asset management and compliance across a growing ARH portfolio. The division oversees about 1,200 existing properties, with over 300 in the pipeline transferring for ongoing monitoring within six months to three years.
- $0 of General Fund required — supported by ongoing compliance fees charged to projects.