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
1971
OHCS is established
1988
Low Income Housing Tax Credit program is established
1991
The Housing Agency merges with the Community Services Division
2001
The Farmworker Housing Development Account was established
2019
Oregon first Statewide Housing Plan is launched
2021
OHCS administers the largest budget in agency history
Total Rental Units Created
or Preserved Since 1987
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
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.”
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.
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.
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.
