Oregon

state-housing-icon
Oregon Housing and Community Services

Oregon Housing and Community Services is committed to our mission of providing stable and affordable housing through programs that address poverty and provide opportunity for Oregonians.  

Relationship to the State Government: Under Governor’s Supervision & Budget  

Current Staff Size: 232

Visit OHCS's Website
timeline-icon

1971

OHCS is established

timeline-icon

1988

Low Income Housing Tax Credit program is established

timeline-icon

1991

The Housing Agency merges with the Community Services Division

timeline-icon

2001

The Farmworker Housing Development Account was established

timeline-icon

2019

Oregon first Statewide Housing Plan is launched

timeline-icon

2021

OHCS administers the largest budget in agency history

70,000

Total Rental Units Created
or Preserved Since 1987

40,516

Homeowners Served Since 1978

Signature Program

Supportive Housing Institute

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a national model and best practice for serving individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness. To support Oregon communities seeking to develop PSH, OHCS sponsored the Supportive Housing Institute. The Institute provides technical assistance and robust training to project teams focused specifically on Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) development and management.

PSH Homes Funded to Date (over the last 2.5 years): 895

Future Focus

future-focus

Margaret Solle Salazar

Executive Director

“In 2021, OHCS secured historic levels of funding to reduce barriers faced by communities of color. By working alongside culturally responsive organizations to deliver down payment assistance, OHCS will connect homeownership programs to communities most impacted by structural inequities and create opportunities for intergenerational wealth building.”

Success Story
success-image
Nesika Illahee

 

Portland, OR

To create Neskia Illahee, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians partnered with Oregon Housing and Community Services and others on a new development approach: weaving public funds, including state Local Innovation and Fast Track dollars, with the Indian Housing Block Grant to create affordable housing for Native people. Today, the 115 residents of 59 apartments have access to talking circles, a meditation garden and traditional healing practices.

success-image
LIFT (Local Innovation Fast Track)

 

Across Oregon

Since the first $40 million allocation in 2015 that created the LIFT program, the Oregon Legislature has committed a grand total of $680 million in Article XI-Q bonds, with a historic $303.5 million to be offered in the current 2021/2023 biennium. This has brought over 5600 affordable rental homes (including 480 homeownership opportunities) to some of the most historically underserved communities in Oregon, including communities of color in both rural and urban areas.

success-image
Keystone Project

 

Eugene, Lane County

Since the first $40 million allocation in 2015 that created the LIFT program, the Oregon Legislature has committed a grand total of $680 million in Article XI-Q bonds, with a historic $303.5 million to be offered in the current 2021/2023 biennium. This has brought over 5600 affordable rental homes (including 480 homeownership opportunities) to some of the most historically underserved communities in Oregon, including communities of color in both rural and urban areas.

slide-image
Las Adelitas Apartments, a $58 million, 142 unit affordable housing project
slide-image
Director Salazar announces 170 homes purchased for Wildfire Survivors in Talent, OR
slide-image
Director Salazar participates in the Nesika Illahee apartments groundbreaking
slide-image
The building of Nesika Illahee apartments, meaning “Our Place” Chinook
slide-image
Director Salazar and her kids at a mixed-use affordable housing construction site