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Grants & Tax Credits



The Development Resources and Production Section works in cooperation with local partners to provide viable financing packages in order to carry out the department’s mission to develop and preserve affordable housing, linked with appropriate services, throughout Oregon.

OHCS's grant and tax credit programs are listed below:

Grant Programs

Program Overview:​

The GHAP expands the state's supply of housing for low- and very low-income Oregonians. GHA​​​P resources support two primary activities:

  • Develop affordable ​multifamily housing.

  • Increase the capacity of OHCS partners to meet the state’s affordable housing needs. 

All projected uses are subject to revenue availability. 25% of GHAP funds are set aside to support veterans.​

​
Program Materials​

Factsheet: General Housing Account Program​​

 GHAP Program Manual 2023

​For more information, Amy Cole at 503-508-0188.​​


GHAP capacity building program overview

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) established the Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) Capacity Building (CB) program to support the important role our local and regional housing partners play in fostering community, health, and housing stability.

Nonprofit housing developers, local housing authorities, and Tribal Nation housing entities are uniquely positioned within their communities to support placemaking and provide culturally specific and responsive housing and resident services. Local governments also play a key role in facilitating the development and long-term viability of affordable rental housing projects. The GHAP CB program was created to support capacity strengthening in these entities towards meeting our shared goals in affordable rental housing development and operations.

An updated GHAP Program Manual will be available soon and will provide definitions and additional details.

Eligible Entities*

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Public Housing Authorities
  • Federally Recognized Native Nations
  • Local Governments

*Individual resource offerings may prioritize or limit eligibility groups in alignment with agency priorities or to increase investment in geographic areas of need.

Program Goals

  • Increase affordable rental housing production, preservation, and sustainability in regions and communities with unmet needs through capacity building investments.
  • Strengthen capacity of eligible entities and geographic areas with high need for housing and limited local resources to meet shared ARH housing development and operating goals.

Current Priorities

  • ARH Professional workforce development
  • Culturally specific developer and sponsor organizations capacity building
  • Rural regional and organizational capacity building

Capacity Building Resources

Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA) Capacity Building Grants

(Rolling applications open mid-May 2024)

Resources for organizational capacity building towards new and existing housing

The ORCA Capacity Building Grant (ORCA CB Grant) helps organizations that currently (or have taken documented steps to) develop, preserve, or manage affordable rental housing by providing funds for a variety of capacity-building activities. Individual grants are for two years, awards are typically $50,000-$75,000 per year and grant activities should support the organization in advancing its mission related to providing safe, healthy, and stable affordable housing.

Each eligible organization may only hold one ORCA CB Grant at a time. An ORCA Intake Form should be completed prior to applying for the ORCA CB Grant. Click here for helpful information about the ORCA Intake Form. More information about ORCA CB Grants will be available soon.

2024 ORCA CB Grant Application Schedule:

Spring 2024 – Application opens for: Nonprofit Culturally Specific Emerging Developer and Sponsor Organizations, Balance of State Housing Authorities, and Native Nations (Federally Recognized).

Fall 2024 - Application opens for: Nonprofit Culturally Specific Established Developer and Sponsor Organizations, Rural Developer and Sponsor Organizations, Direct Referrals from OHCS Portfolio Stabilization. May open sooner based on review of available funds.

Training Program Grants and Contracts

(expected Fall/Winter 2024)

Training and workforce program capacity building investments

OHCS will invest in coordinated capacity building and development of Oregon-based training to stimulate growth and expansion of professional development programs for key roles within the ARH lifecycle and ecosystem. Investment will focus on expansion and implementation of training programs for ARH Developers, Asset Managers, Culturally Specific and Culturally Responsive Property Managers, and other key ARH workforce roles (e.g. MWESB contractors).

Innovation and Regional Impact Grants

(expected Fall/Winter 2024)

Resources for exploration of innovative or regional solutions to capacity problems

OHCS will provide grants to support exploration of innovative solutions to capacity problems, projects that align with OHCS’ priorities and goals in housing development and operations, and one-time capacity building projects with regional impact. The GHAP CB program will reserve funds annually to fund these opportunities and other agency capacity building efforts that are tied to delivery of ARH Division projects and programs.

Please contact the GHAP CB program for more information. Make sure to sign up for OHCS' e-news to stay on top of current and future offerings.

Recent Offerings:

ARH Partnership Grant

(Application window now CLOSED)

This grant will fund resident services activities and is part of the GHAP Capacity Building Program. Awards may be up to $25,000 and can be disbursed over two years if needed. Eligible entities include nonprofits and federally recognized Tribal nations in Oregon that serve residents applying for or living in multifamily affordable rental housing. The application for this grant will be available on the Procurement Opportunities webpage.

RFA 7187 ARH Partnership Grant Factsheet (Updated 12/22/22)

​ARH Partnership Grant Information Session Recording

RFA 7187 ARH Partnership Grant FAQs

RFA 7187 Information Session Questions

NOFA 2023-9 Homeless Housing Response and Capacity Strengthening (HOME ARP / GHAP CB)

(Application window now CLOSED)

GHAP CB grants have been paired with HOME American Rescue Plan development funds within NOFA 2023-9. NOFA 2023-9 GHAP CB grant-funded activities will build organizational and regional capacity to develop and operate service-enriched housing serving HOME ARP qualifying populations. More information can be found on the NOFA 2023-9 webpage and in the program's presentation to Housing Stability Council on January 5, 2024.

GHAP Capacity Building Program Information

GHAP CB Strategic Map (2022/23)

GHAP CB Framework (2022/23)​

2021/22 GHAP CB Summary

*Program framework and manual update in progress. Revised materials will be posted soon.

2024 ARH Capacity Building Framework


For more information, email ​hcs.ghap.cb@hcs.oregon.gov​​.​

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HOME ARP

​Through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) received an allocation of nearly $33 Million under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) to increase housing stability for households experiencing homelessness or at risk of hmelessness.  This one-time allocation of HUD HOME ARP resources, which are different and separate from HUD's traditional HOME funds, includes a 15% administrative cap and must be completely disbursed by September 30, 2030.

Eligible HOME ARP Activities:

  • Creation/Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing
  • Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
  • Supportive Services, Homeless Prevention Services, and Housing Counseling
  • Purchase and Development of Non-Congregate Shelter

Eligible HOME ARP Beneficiaries:

  • Households experiencing homelessness
  • Households at risk of homelessness
  • Households fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking
  • Populations with high risk of housing instability (living in a hotel, frequent moves, etc.)

HOME ARP Notice of Funding Availability:

For more information about the OHCS HOME ARP Program, contact Andrea Matthiessen at (503) 986-0963.


Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program Overview

The HOME program provides federal funds from HUD to develop affordable housing. The OHCS Affordable Rental Housing Division administers the HOME program for the State of Oregon, allocating HOME resources to "balance of state" communities whose populations do not meet population requirements to have their own direct allocation of HOME funding from HUD. 

Currently, eligible activities under the State’s program align with priorities identified in the Oregon Statewide Housing Plan and include:

  • Acquisition, new construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing,

  • Tenant-based rental assistance through the OHCS HOME Tenant-based Assistance Program. 

Activities funded must benefit low- and very low-income households.

Participating Jurisdictions (PJs) in metro areas with an allocation of HOME funding directly from HUD base their program priorities on their local Consolidated Plans.  Each participating jurisdiction's program will have different components and requirements. 

Contact information for the local HOME PJs listed below is maintained on the Oregon HUD webpage.

City of Beaverton

City of Eugene
City of Gresham
City of Portland
City of Salem
City of Springfield
Clackamas County
Multnomah County
Washington County

Compliance-related information for HOME projects can be found on the OHCS Housing Compliance and Monitoring webpage.  

For more information about the OHCS HOME Program, contact Andrea Matthiessen​ at (503) 986-0963.​​


​Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO)

OHCS HOME CHDO Overview​

HUD CHDO Certification Requirements​

Program Materials​​

Program Fact​sheet

 2022 HOME Program Manual
​

HOME Compliance Manual​

​HUD Exchange Resources for HOME​

 Section 3 Acknowledgement Form

 OHCS Section 3 Reporting Form

​ HOME Unit Estimator-2023 Subsidy Limits

Program Overview:

The Housing Development Grant Program (“Trust Fund”) was created to expand Oregon’s housing supply for low- and very low-income families and individuals by providing funds for new construction or to acquire and/or rehabilitate existing structures.

Trust Fund applications are accepted during OHCS’ Oregon Centralized Application process. The maximum funding amount for any one project is $500,000 per funding cycle. Applicants are encouraged to leverage grant dollars with other public and private funds. Preference will be given to projects with resident services geared towards the needs of the residents (i.e. daycare, job counseling, emergency assistance, finance management). Trust Fund dollars are allocated throughout Oregon based on regional unmet needs.


​Program Materials:

​The HUD 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) program allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing opportunities which provide access to appropriate supportive services.

Funding Opportunities for Development

In partnership with Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority, OHCS will accept applications for Project Rental Assistance for new, acquired and rehabilitated or existing affordable housing projects funded by LIHTC, HOME, National Housing Trust Fund, and other state funding programs. This health care/housing agency partnership allows for affordable supportive housing for persons with disabilities. No funds are available for construction or rehabilitation.

Application submittals are contingent on availability of HUD funding. Application awards and Project Rental Assistance Contracts are also contingent upon a housing development project receiving development funding approval from Oregon’s Housing Stability Council, and the completion of an environmental review. Funded projects, new or rehabilitated, with awarded Project Rental Assistance Contract must meet placement in service timelines as established by HUD and or OHCS.

Program Overview:

Legislative action in 2001 created funding for the new OR-MEP. Funds can be used to increase the efficiency of heating and other uses of energy in multifamily housing. Improvements may include installing energy efficient:

  • Insulation

  • Windows

  • Appliances

  • Light fixtures

  • Other energy-reducing activities

Applications are open to all income-eligible projects - NOFA and non-NOFA. Participation is easier than ever. Three participation pathways offer flexible options customized to each project’s needs.

OHCS encourages NOFA and bond funded projects to leverage OHCS weatherization funds. Projects can get a conditional reservation in advance of the NOFA application.

How to Apply?

Program Overview:​

The National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is a formula grant program to be administered by states which is intended to increase and preserve the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing, primarily rental housing, for extremely low-income and very low-income households.

HUD has developed the proposed program rule for the Housing Trust Fund to mirror the HOME Program regulations in an effort to consolidate similar programs, improve the coordination of local and regional planning efforts and activity delivery, and reduce the administrative burden placed on grantees overall. Many of the HTF requirements are similar to HOME. ​

Program Materials:
​For more information, Andrea Matthiessen at (503) 986-0963.​​

Tax Credit Programs

Program Overview:

The AWHTC Program offers a state income tax credit to investors who incur costs to develop agriculture workforce housing. Recipients may apply the tax credit to 50% of the eligible costs. The costs are actually paid or incurred to complete a farmworker housing project. The total amount of available credits for each biennium is $16.75 million. There is a set-aside for on-farm projects of $1.675 per year. One-hundred percent of the credit may be transferred to a contributor of the project.​​

How to get funding?


 OHCS Policy and Partner Engagement

For more information, call Martin Jarvis​ at 971-388-6029​.

​Visit the HUD 811 Housing Development Funding webpage at the link below:

​HUD 811 PRA Housing Development ​

Program Overview:

The LIHTC program provides tax credits for developers to:

  • construct,​

  • rehabilitate, or

  • acquire and rehabilitate qualified low-income rental housing.

These development projects include multifamily and single-family rental housing units. Eligible applicants include both for-profit and nonprofit sponsors. OHCS issues these credits through a competitive Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) process. There is also a non-competitive application process available. 

The department reserves and allocates 9%  and 4% tax credits on eligible properties. The department set aside a minimum of 10 percent of the credit authority for each calendar year. This applies to​ nonprofit sponsors. OHCS has another discretionary set-aside of 35 percent for preservation.​​​

How to get funding?

Program Overview:

The OAHTC Program provides a state income tax credit for affordable housing loans. It applies for loans for which a lender reduces the interest rate by up to four percent. 

Applications must show a 20-year term that the they will pass on the tax credit benefit to reduce tenants rent. Exceptions to this are available to manufactured parks and preservation projects.​

How to get funding?

 Policy and Partner Engagement​

For more information, contact Martin Jarvis​ at (971) 388-6029.​


The Oaks, Photographer: Eric Bishoff
Development Resources and Production