Agency Spotlight

Housing Efforts Across Oregon

OHCS provides status update on Statewide Housing Plan

Oregon housing chief Andrea Bell on rent assistance rollout, tackling ever-growing affordability crisis: Q&A

Photo credit: Beth Nakamura / The Oregonian

The Oregonian sat down with Director Andrea Bell for an in-depth interview on the role of the agency, priorities for long-term housing needs solutions, and more.

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3612 Homes Funded Across Rural Oregon

OHCS surpasses House America goals

Tweet: HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, Nov. 2, 2022

KOIN: After joining the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s House America initiative to address the current homelessness crisis, the State of Oregon met and surpassed its announced commitments.

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Royal Oaks Groundbreaking

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), Housing Authority of Jackson County (HAJC) and partners broke ground on the much-awaited rebuilding of Royal Oaks in November. HAJC purchased the burned 21-acre Royal Oaks site with funding provided by the Oregon Legislature, and OHCS is supporting the development of the site with a portion of the $150 million the Oregon Legislature allocated for affordable housing for fire survivors. The housing development, which will include 118 modular homes, has easy access to public transportation, I-5, schools, and other services in the neighboring towns. The much-needed affordable housing community is expected to open in late 2023.

On September 20, we celebrated 110 new affordable rental units in the Portland St. Johns neighborhood at the grand opening of Cathedral Village. Oregon Housing & Community Services was a funding partner on this project. Councilmember Mary Li gave remarks at the event. "Accomplishments like this only happen with many hands to the work and we (OHCS and the Housing Stability Council) are thankful to be part of the circle that works so diligently to bring this work to life. When you reflect on what has been achieved the past 18 months, this is a miraculous moment," said Councilmember Li.

"In this process, it starts with listening. When we listen, we can start to hear the stories of the people, families, and children, who are going to live and thrive in these units, in this building, and in this community. With great joy, to the people and families who will live at Cathedral Village, welcome home." Congratulations to all the organizations and community partners who made this project come to life.

2022 Supportive Housing Institute reveals nine new permanent supportive housing projects

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) announced nine innovative projects that emerged from the third Oregon Supportive Housing Institute (SHI). The SHI is designed to increase the pipeline and supply of quality affordable housing paired with comprehensive support services. The nine project teams from across the state met over five months for intensive training and technical assistance to develop permanent supportive housing (PSH) projects. Permanent supportive housing is a national model that effectively serves individuals and families experiencing long-term homelessness. By providing on-site, individualized services, PSH leads to cost savings in public systems, particularly within healthcare and justice systems, and long-term housing stability for vulnerable households. Governor Kate Brown, OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell, and CSH Director Deborah De Santis gave remarks.

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Innovative housing solutions shared at Oregon Veteran Housing Network webinar

Veterans, businesses, community-based organizations, and government agencies gathered virtually to share ideas and solutions around veterans experiencing homelessness at the Oregon Veteran Housing Network webinar on innovative housing solutions in August 2022. The event was hosted by the Oregon Veteran Housing Network, which is a partnership with Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA). Over 100 people attended the diverse gathering. OHCS gave updates on several funding programs that provide resources and pathways for veterans toward homeownership or other housing options. Community partners showed what housing solutions for veterans looked like in their communities with affordable housing funding.

Meet the newest Housing Stability Councilmember

Sharon Nickleberry Rogers is a native Portland resident who resides in NE Portland with her husband and is an empty nester while her daughter attends college in Texas.

Sharon recognized early on the importance of housing and knew having a safe place to call home was special. She is a public servant employed as a Financial Analyst III with the City of Portland. She has over 20 years of experience in various financial roles with the Internal Revenue Service, Price Waterhouse Coopers, NE Community Development Corporation, Harsch Investment Properties, and Home Forward.

She is passionate about serving the community and making a difference for vulnerable residents who lack adequate or affordable housing and is honored to serve on the Oregon Housing Stability Council.