ORS 456.620 Duties of department in carrying out housing programs; rules

In carrying out housing programs, the Housing and Community Services Department shall:

With the approval of the Oregon Housing Stability Council, adopt standards for the planning, development and management of housing projects for which qualified housing sponsors receive all or a portion of any required financing under ORS 456.548 to 456.828, for audits and inspections to determine compliance with such standards and adopt criteria for the approval of qualified housing sponsors under ORS 456.548 to 456.828.

Adopt criteria by which the department may approve or disqualify qualified housing sponsors.

Enter into agreements with qualified housing sponsors to regulate the planning, development and management of housing projects constructed with the assistance of the department under ORS 456.548 to 456.828.

With the approval of the council, establish maximum household income limits for all or a portion of the units in housing projects, including housing developments or other residential housing, financed in whole or in part by the department. The department may finance only the portion of housing projects consisting of units rented to households with an income below 120 percent of the area median income, as defined in ORS 458.610. The department shall, by rule, adopt a methodology for allocating the affordable housing portion of a housing project’s shared costs, including infrastructure and parking. For a housing project financed by the department, the council may establish a minimum ratio or number of units that will be rented to households with an income below 120 percent of the area median income. If the income level in any unit exceeds 120 percent of the area median income, the department shall, to the extent practicable, require that the project, development or other housing financed by the department have no less than a minimum percentage of low income units as established by rule. Income limits for department programs administered on a statewide basis may be established by reference to the area median income. This subsection does not restrict the acquisition of manufactured dwelling parks.

With the approval of the council, ensure that financing is provided in the department’s programs for manufactured housing and for the purchase of lots described in ORS 92.840 by manufactured dwelling park tenants.