Technical Advisors (TA)
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Technical Advisors are your expert guides through the complexities of affordable rental housing project development and financing. We help developers navigate the Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA), identify resources, and offer project feedback to help successfully finance affordable rental housing.
How to connect with Technical Advisors
Technical Advisors are your primary point of contact for navigating the ORCA process and accessing OHCS support. If you would like to receive technical assistance on your project or application, check “Request TA” in the ORCA Intake form.
Once you submit the Intake form, the OHCS Application Team will review your project. If you have questions on a specific project or application or would like to discuss projects in early stages, you can also reach out directly to the Technical Advisors atTechnical.Advisors@hcs.oregon.gov
When to engage a Technical Advisor
Engage with a TA as early as the project concept stage. Early involvement helps you understand available funding opportunities and ensures smoother navigation of the ORCA Intake and application process.
How can a Technical Advisor help with an ORCA application?
Technical Advisors provide support throughout the ORCA process by responding to inquiries, clarifying requirements, and facilitating resource connections. TA support continues well beyond the Intake stage, and TAs can assist as your project moves through the ORCA steps.
Technical Advisors impact
Since the launch of ORCA in Spring 2024, OHCS Technical Advisors have helped hundreds of partners with affordable rental housing funding. We support all ORCA developers and seek to build trusted relationships with culturally specific organizations, rural sponsors, tribal partners, and nonprofits to improve readiness and ensure equitable access to housing programs.
Development resources
Affordable Rental Housing resources
Other OHCS resources
Trainings and tutorials
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Ask the Expert training series: In response to partner requests for topic specific training/learning with the agency's Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) division staff and teams, Technical Advisors are hosting an “Ask the Expert” training series. This ongoing series provides overviews of ARH topics by subject matter experts and features facilitated Q&A sessions on the topics presented. Stay tuned to Technical Advisories to get notified on Ask the Expert trainings.
- Watch our
ORCA introduction video.
Partner voices
Hear what our partners have to say about Technical Advisors and the help they have received.