The Publicly Supported Housing- Contract Preservation (PuSH-CP) process is a state law that helps ensure affordable housing stays affordable. It applies to multifamily rental properties with affordability restrictions – such as those funded through HUD, USDA Rural Development, OHCS (like tax credits, loans, or grants), or even some local government subsidies.
This process was created by the Oregon Legislatures (HB 2002 and others) to preserve affordable housing. The legislation and process were designed to preserve affordability provisions affecting publicly supported housing through an opportunity to purchase by OHCS through a designee or local government (qualified purchasers).
Preservation safeguards the original public investments in these properties and extends the stream of government subsidy dollars for an additional 20 to 30 years. When affordable housing properties are preserved, residents can stay in their homes and communities. With market rents out of reach and long waitlists for most affordable housing properties, preservation is critical to keeping thousands of vulnerable Oregonians in their homes.
If your property has affordability restrictions, and those restrictions are ending soon, you are required to follow the PuSH-CP process to notify OHCS, tenants (and applicants), and your local government about your plans.
You can access notice templates and more information on the PuSH-CP Process for Owners web page.
Affordable Housing 10-Year Expiration Forecast
The Affordable Housing 10-Year Expiration Forecasts lists expiration dates of affordability restrictions coming up in the next ten years. It includes:
- The number of affordable units at each property
- The type and source of rental assistance provided (e.g., Section 8, LIHTC, etc.)
- The income eligibility requirements for tenants
- The status of preservation efforts, if any, to keep the property affordable
Oregon Affordable Housing Inventory (OAHI)
The state’s inventory of affordable housing, known as "Oregon Affordable Housing Inventory (OAHI)", is a vital part of the preservation program for compliance monitoring purposes and informing the public of a property’s status of potential withdrawal from publicly supported housing based on expiration/termination dates.
Preservation Dashboard
The Preservation Dashboard is a tool to help OHCS and its partners better understand how we can preserve affordable rental homes throughout the state. This means making sure current rent cap or rent-assisted properties can continue to operate and provide homes to individuals and families who would not otherwise be able to afford a home in their area at market rate rents.
Development resources for preservation
It’s important to note, PuSH-CP is not a funding source but rather a process to help preserve access to affordable housing. The state has some funding resources that property owners can apply to through the
Oregon Centralized Application process. This includes funding to rehabilitate properties, address operational funding gaps, renewing federal rent assistance contracts, and supporting the preservation of manufactured home communities as long-term affordable housing options.
Becoming a PuSH-CP Designee
If you are interested in preserving affordable housing, consider becoming a designee with OHCS. Specifically, mission-aligned organizations with experience in multifamily rental housing are encouraged to become potential “designees” under the PuSH-CP process.
PuSH Seller’s Tax Credit
The PuSH Seller’s Tax Credit is a benefit for people selling affordable housing. If the seller sells the property to someone who agrees to keep the rents affordable for at least 30 years, the seller can receive this tax credit. This credit helps buyers negotiate with sellers, making it easier for them to win the bid against other buyers who might not keep the property affordable.
If you are a tenant of an affordable housing property and concerned about the affordability period of your property expiring, you have certain protections. You can find out the affordability expiration date by asking your property manager or owner. In addition, property owners are obligated to notify you before a property’s affordability restrictions expire.
When a property’s affordability expires, it enters a three-year Safe Harbor period. During this time, tenants are protected from no-cause evictions and rent increases are subject to
OHCS rent increase policy and state law (OAR/ORS Chapter 90).