ORS 458.625 Housing Development Grant Program; uses; policies

There is established the Housing Development Grant Program in the Housing and Community Services Department for the purpose of expanding the supply of affordable rental housing for persons with low or very low income.

The program shall pay the costs incurred in the administration of the program and award grants:

To assist organizations and for-profit business entities in constructing new housing, or in acquiring or rehabilitating existing structures, for housing for persons with low or very low income.

To provide nonprofit organizations, as set forth in ORS 458.210 to 458.240, with technical assistance or predevelopment costs. Predevelopment costs include site acquisition, architectural services and project consultants.

To develop nonprofit organizations that show sufficient evidence of having strong community support and a strong likelihood of producing housing for persons with low or very low income. Grants may not be used by an organization for its general operations.

To match public and private moneys available from other sources for production of housing for persons with low or very low income.

The department shall give preference in making grants from the program to those entities that the department determines will:

Construct, acquire or rehabilitate the greatest number per dollar granted of housing units for persons with low or very low income by acquiring matching funds or other grant, loan or eligible in-kind contributions;

Ensure the longest use for the units as housing for persons with low or very low income; or

Offer the occupants of the proposed housing services relevant to identified needs, including services that address home health care, mental health care, alcohol and drug treatment and post-treatment care, child care or case management.

The Oregon Housing Stability Council may adopt policies obligating the department to distribute grants statewide while concentrating grants from the program in those areas of this state with the greatest need, as determined by the council, for housing for persons with low or very low income.