Statewide Housing Recovery Progress
On Sept. 7, 2020, multiple fires spread rapidly across Oregon due to high winds and dry conditions, burning over 1 million acres statewide. Over 40,000 Oregonians were forced to evacuate their homes.
Several existing fires, like Lionshead and Beachie Creek, grew stronger, and three new megafires (Archie Creek, Holiday Farm, and Riverside) emerged. The Almeda Fire, which began as a grass fire, destroyed nearly 2,500 homes in Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, and urban areas of Jackson County. Most fires occurred in rural areas, causing severe damage to communities and the environment.
To support housing recovery efforts, OHCS received two rounds of funding from state and federal sources.
- Over $150 million from the Oregon Legislature allocated in August 2021. This funding went to two areas: development of low- and moderate-income housing and the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA) program.
- $422 million from a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-DR) allocated in 2021. In February 2023, HUD approved the grant agreement and OHCS began program development and implementation.
Project Spotlights
Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA) program
The Oregon Legislature provided OHCS with over $150 million in state funding to support housing recovery for people impacted by the 2020 wildfires. Of that amount, about $36 million was allocated to the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA) program. WRRA funding provided shelter, clothing, and essential services to wildfire survivors, as well as housing and housing support for households that became homeless due to the disaster.
Learn more about WRRA.
Timeframe: Complete, program ended October 2023
County-Specific Housing Recovery Process
Housing recovery efforts following the 2020 Labor Day Disasters have been taking place across Oregon since September 2020. The counties listed below show the progress being made in the areas most affected by the disasters. The data and projects highlighted in each county include the most up-to-date information from all disaster recovery funding managed by OHCS (both state and federal).
Please note: Many households were able to recover by using their personal resources, insurance, federal aid, or help from local nonprofits and recovery groups. The numbers provided below only include homes rebuilt or in the process of rebuilding through OHCS funds.
Also, in some counties, the number of homes completed or under construction may be higher than the number of homes lost in the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds. That is because OHCS is also helping to build new rental and homeownership opportunities through other programs. These new homes are located in wildfire-impacted communities and portions of those developments give priority to survivors of the 2020 disasters. All of these homes are included in the totals shown below.
In the wake of the Riverside Fire that started in the upper Clackamas River watershed, 62 homes were lost in the central, western, and southern areas of the county.
To date, OHCS has contributed funding in support of
three owned homes and
184 rental homes in Clackamas County (more than
100% of properties lost to the wildfires or straight-line winds). Of those, three homes were rebuilt from the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA) program.
Project Spotlights
Wade Creek Commons (formerly Estacada Apartments)
EstacadaRental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Phase I completed; Phase II by end of 2025
Developer/Partner: Home First Development LLC
Number of Homes: 84
The Riverside Fire, which burned more than 100,000 acres, prompted immediate evacuation orders for over half of Clackamas County and destroyed the Estacada Apartments complex. OHCS helped restore the original 36 rental homes and is adding 48 more rental homes in Phase II.
Bear Creek Apartments (formally Molalla I and II)
Molalla
Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Phase I complete, Phase II by end of 2025
Developer/Partner: Home First Development LLC
Number of Homes: 100
The Riverside Fire also impacted households in Molalla. This project is being built in two phases, with the first creating 60 affordable rental homes, while the second builds 40 more.
To date, OHCS has contributed funding in support of
29 owned homes in Douglas County (
21% of properties lost to wildfires or straight-line winds), including 24 through the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA). Five more through the ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) have not yet been started.
The Almeda Fire and South Obenchain Fire destroyed 2,508 homes and burned a significant portion of the county’s commercial districts and public facilities. To date, OHCS has contributed funding in support of
1,096 owned homes and
396 rental homes in Jackson County (
59% of properties lost to wildfires or straight-line winds). Of those, 30 are homes recovered via OHCS’ Manufactured Home Replacement Program, 525 from the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA), and 52 are through ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) with over 100 more in the queue.
Project Spotlights
Breath of Life
Medford
Rental/Homeownership: Homeownership
Expected Completion Date: 2027
Developer/Partner: Turning Point Program
Number of Homes: 38
Breath of Life Medford is a mixed-income, mixed-ownership community featuring homes with innovative panelized construction and solar net-zero energy efficiency. Of the 56 cottages available for ownership, 38 are prioritized for qualified survivors of the 2020 Almeda Fire.
Camino Colibri (formerly Summit Gardens)
Medford
Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: North Development Group
Number of Homes: 34
This restored property includes amenities such as a community center, a laundry facility, a community garden, and basketball courts. Rental priority was given to income-eligible survivors who lost their homes in the Almeda Fire.
New Spirit Village
Medford
Rental/Homeownership: Homeownership
Expected Completion Date: Phase I complete; Phase II by end of 2025; Phase 3 is TBD
Developer/Partner: New Spirit Village and Proud Ground
Number of Homes: 84
As part of the Almeda Fire recovery efforts, New Spirit Village is a new 84-unit affordable housing development. OHCS construction efforts began in March 2024 and Phase I, with an initial 22 units, was completed in December 2024. Once all phases are completed, the complex will have one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes.
Orchard Meadows & Prescott Gardens
Medford
Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Housing Authority of Jackson County
Number of Homes: 196
Both the Orchard Meadows and Prescott Gardens affordable housing complexes sustained significant damage from the Almeda Fire, resulting in many destroyed rental homes. OHCS and the Housing Authority of Jackson County collaborated on the reconstruction of the property, which features a community center, playground, and 196 rental units, 98 of which were either move-in ready or occupied as of December 2024.
Pacific Flats
Phoenix
Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Commonwealth and Natives of One Wind Indigenous Alliance (Unete)
Number of Homes: 72
This 3.7-acre development is now open. Commonwealth has partnered with local non-profits, ACCESS and Unete, to provide 2020 Almeda fire survivors with assistance in finding housing. Common-area amenities include a playground, business center, community room, and gym. ACCESS, a local community action organization, provides supportive services such as educational on-site classes.
Renaissance Flats
Talent
Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Commonwealth
Number of Homes: 72
The grand reopening of the Renaissance Flats affordable housing community took place in October 2023, when residents began occupying the property. OHCS contributed most of the funding needed to rebuild the complex, which also features a clubhouse.
Royal Oaks
Phoenix
Rental/Homeownership: Homeownership
Expected Completion Date: End of 2025
Developer/Partner: Housing Authority of Jackson County
Number of Homes: 118
In the Almeda Fire destroyed the 17-acre Royal Oaks Mobile Manor manufactured home park. Today, the Housing Authority of Jackson County is rebuilding the site with new single-family modular homes. The development also includes a clubhouse, recreational open space, a play area, picnic tables, carports, and bike parking.
Talent Mobile Estates
Talent
Rental/Homeownership: Homeownership (rent-to-own mobile homes)
Expected Completion Date: Early 2025
Developer/Partner: CASA of Oregon
Number of Homes: 87
Talent Mobile Estates is a preserved park owned and managed by CASA of Oregon. Most of the homes in the park were lost to wildfires in 2020. OHCS is helping to rebuild 87 units that will be managed as a resident-owned cooperative. As of December 2024, 77 new mobile homes have been completed and occupied.
OHCS provides funding and technical assistance for the development of the property, the purchase of homes, and the screening of eligible residents. Eligibility criteria include being a former resident, having been impacted by the wildfires, and meeting income requirements.
Talent Senior Apartments
Talent
Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: AGE+
Number of Homes: 22
OHCS collaborated with the Oregon-based nonprofit AGE+ to build an affordable housing complex of 22 rentals earmarked for senior citizens 55 and older. Rental priority is for survivors who lost their homes in the Almeda Fire.
The Two Four Two Fire forced hundreds of residents in the town of Chiloquin to evacuate and destroyed 11 homes.
To date, OHCS has helped support one owned home through its Manufactured Home Replacement Program in Klamath County (9% of properties lost to wildfires or straight-line winds).
The Holiday Farm Fire impacted communities over a 20-mile stretch along the McKenzie River. It destroyed 517 homes, many small businesses, and a communications tower that relayed critical emergency communications.
To date, OHCS has contributed funding in support of
143 owned homes and
five rentals in Lane County (29% of properties lost to wildfires or straight-line winds). Of those, 112 homes were rebuilt or in the process of rebuilding from the Manufactured Home Replacement Program, the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA), and the ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP).
Project Spotlights
Lazy Days
Blue River Rental/Homeownership/Rent-to-Own: All
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Homes for Good
Number of Homes: 30
The Holiday Farm Fire destroyed the eight-acre Lazy Days Mobile Home Park, which included 21 manufactured homes and 15 RV spaces.
OHCS partnered with Homes for Good, which purchased the site after it was destroyed in 2020, to develop 20 modular homes for ownership and 10 park model home spaces for rent.
Rose Street Neighborhood
Blue River Rental/Homeownership: Homeownership
Expected Completion Date: End of 2025
Developer/Partner: McKenzie Community Land Trust
Number of Homes: 6
The Rose Street Neighborhood consists of six three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes, and aims to house residents of low incomes who were displaced by the disaster. The homes are unique in that they will be the first in Blue River to feature Firewise construction (highly fire-resistant Class A roofing, specialized external ventilation, and fire-preventative landscaping).
The McKenzie Community Land Trust owns the land where the homes are built. While the homes will be sold as ownership units, the land underneath the homes will remain affordable and accessible permanently without the associated costs of land ownership.
The development is financially supported through OHCS LIFT funding and contributions from OHCS’ partners, PacificSource, Lane County, and the Eugene Water and Electric Board.
The Echo Mountain Fire and the Kimberling Fire destroyed 288 homes and placed 15,000 people (one-third of the county’s population) under an evacuation notice.
To date, OHCS has contributed funding in support of
134 owned homes and
68 rental homes in Lincoln County (70% of properties lost to wildfires or straight-line winds). Of those, two were recovered through OHCS’ Manufactured Home Replacement Program, four via rapid rehousing, and 124 by the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA). Nine more through ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) are in the process.
Project Spotlights
Coast Vineyard
Lincoln City Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Ongoing
Developer/Partner: Northwest Coastal Housing
Number of Homes: 12
The Coast Vineyard Tiny Homes project will provide 12 tiny homes for wildfire-impacted households. This project is a partnership between Northwest Coastal Housing, the City of Lincoln City, and Coast Vineyard Church.
The City and the Coast Vineyard Church donated several parcels of land next to the church for the development. Northwest Coastal Housing is developing the property, purchasing and placing the homes, and will manage the property.
Depoe Bay Townhomes
Depoe Bay Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: 2025
Developer/Partner: Housing Authority of Lincoln County
Number of Homes: 12
The Echo Mountain Complex Fire in Lincoln County destroyed 288 homes in the community of Otis, including 223 manufactured homes. Recovery has been challenging because Lincoln County has very little land available for building low-income housing.
Twelve new two-bedroom rental properties at Depoe Bay Townhomes will provide an affordable housing option for low-income households impacted by the 2020 wildfires. The Housing Authority of Lincoln County is leading the development project.
Garden Estates
Lincoln City Rental/Homeownership: Homeownership
Expected Completion Date: End of 2025
Developer/Partner: Northwest Coastal Housing
Number of Homes: 1
OHCS partnered with Northwest Coastal Housing to fund the purchase and development of land for a single-family manufactured home. The family selected to live in the home will be screened based on eligibility criteria, including wildfire impact and income level.
Otis Lot
Otis Rental/Homeownership: Homeownership
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County
Number of Homes: 1
In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County, OHCS provided funding to develop, purchase, and place a single-family manufactured home in Otis. A homeowner, selected based on wildfire impact and income eligibility, has moved into the home.
Wecoma Place
Lincoln City Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Stewardship Development LLC
Number of Homes: 44
Wecoma Place provide 44 fully affordable rental units, with leasing priority for survivors of the Echo Mountain Complex Fire. For residents’ convenience, it is in a prime location close to public transportation, major roadways, schools, and several shopping centers.
To make the new Wecoma Place community a reality, OHCS partnered with Stewardship Development, Housing Authority of Lincoln County, Cornerstone Community Housing, Umpqua Bank, National Equity Fund, Otak Architecture, and Walsh Construction.
The Beachie Creek Fire started within Willamette National Forest, and wind gusts caused the fire to spread rapidly throughout the Santiam Canyon. Marion County lost 633 homes, while Linn County lost 71. In addition, the entire city center of Detroit was largely destroyed, with public infrastructure and water systems also impacted. To date, OHCS has contributed funding in support of
149 owned homes and
439 rental homes in Linn and Marion counties (83% of properties lost to wildfires or straight-line winds). Of those, one was recovered through OHCS’ Manufactured Home Replacement Program, 13 via rapid rehousing, and 123 by the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA). Six more are in the process with the ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP).
Project Spotlights
Fern Ridge Apartments
Stayton Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Home First Development LLC, Greenlight Development
Number of Homes: 72
Fern Ridge Apartments offers a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units that are affordable for renters earning at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI). Marion County lost over 600 units to the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire. This new development helps replace lost housing and provides quality affordable housing to low-income families in Marion County.
MacLeay Community Land Trust
Salem Rental/Homeownership: Homeownership
Expected Completion Date: End of 2025
Developer/Partner: DevNW
Number of Homes: 24
To support wildfire survivors, 24 affordable single-family homes are available through the MacLeay Community Land Trust (CLT). The CLT model helps to create long-term affordability for families on lower incomes. By separating the land from the buildings, homeownership opportunities can remain accessible and sustainable for generations. Survivors will also have access to homeownership counseling programs to support their financial recovery and help them prepare for a mortgage.
Mahonia Crossing
Salem Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Community Development Partners
Number of Homes: 313
The Mahonia Crossing development features 313 rental properties, with a portion of the units providing leasing priority to 2020 Labor Day wildfire and straight-line winds survivors on low and moderate incomes. The property offers a unique intergenerational housing arrangement that attracts both families and seniors.
Mill City Apartments (a.k.a., Beech Street Commons)
Mill City Rental/Homeownership: Rental
Expected Completion Date: Completed
Developer/Partner: Home First Development LLC, Greenlight Development
Number of Homes: 54
Beech Street Commons features a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom townhomes. The townhomes were designed for families earning at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI). This development helped replenish lost housing and provided quality, affordable homes for low-income families in the area after the Beachie Creek Fire.