| 2008 News Releases |
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Funds available for farmworker housing
Salem, Oregon (December 3, 2008) - Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) today announced a funding opportunity for farmworker housing. The agency’s Farmworker Housing Tax Credit program for 2009 will make available $3,625,000 in 2009 tax credits to construct, acquire and/or rehabilitate housing for low- or very-low-income farmworkers.
 Full Story
Contact:
Loren Shultz, 503.986.2008
Betty Markey 503.986.2116
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State approves housing funds generating over $127 million
in economic activity across Oregon
Salem, Oregon (November 10, 2008)—Fifteen low-income housing projects throughout Oregon will receive funding through the Oregon Housing and Community Services fall 2008 funding cycle, OHCS Director Victor Merced announced today.
These combined grants, loans and tax credits will amount to nearly $75 million in total project costs, which will support construction or rehabilitation of 457 units of affordable housing around the state. The projects will generate approximately $127 million in economic activity throughout the state’s economy.
Full Story
Contact:
Betty Markey 503.986.2116
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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Public comments welcomed for Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Salem, Oregon (November 9, 2008) – Oregon’s draft plan to distribute $19.6 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds is available for public comment through Nov. 26.
NSP, a component of the Housing and Recovery Act of 2008, was passed in late July by Congress to provide emergency assistance to communities for acquisition and redevelopment of foreclosed properties that might be abandoned and cause neighborhood blight. More specifically, the funding is to purchase and rehabilitate, resell or redevelop foreclosed or abandoned homes and residential properties in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the decline of home values.
Full Story
Contact:
Dona Lanterman, 503.986.2120
Rick Crager, 503.986.2076
Floyd Smith, 503.986.6747
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Spiking energy costs trigger more federal assistance
Oregon to receive $6 million in addition to the $45 million recently announced
Salem, Oregon (October 21, 2008) - Rising home-heating costs putting low-income Oregonians in peril have triggered release of more than $6 million in additional federal LIHEAP funds.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has announced emergency contingency funding for the states, including $6,105,258 for Oregon. This comes in addition to the $45,355,128 announced at the beginning of October. Oregon's LIHEAP total of more than $51 million is almost twice the $27.3 million received by the state last year.
Full Story
Contact:
Melissa Torgerson
503.986.2094
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Housing and service advocates recognized for excellence
Salem, Oregon (October 15, 2008) - Oregon Housing and Community Services has honored exceptional housing and community service partners as it does each year.
"These awards count," said Victor Merced, the state agency's director. "They honor incredible individuals, programs and developments that make Oregon's neighborhoods, towns and communities exceptional places to work and live."
Full Story
Contact:
Sandy McDonnell, 503.986.2012
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Conference sparked by key housing and community-service leaders
Salem, Oregon (October 2, 2008) - Experts on economics and politics and on housing and community action will bring timely energy to the upcoming 2008 Oregon Housing and Community Services Conference.
It will be held at the Salem Conference Center, Monday-Wednesday, October 6-8, timed to conjoin with Affordable Housing Month, as declared by Gov. Theodore Kulongoski.
Full Story
Contact:
Rick Crager, 503.986.2076
Sandy McDonnell, 503.986.2012
Floyd Smith, 503.986.6747
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Energy assistance, weatherization grants nearly doubled
Salem, Oregon (October 1, 2008) - Oregon will receive some $45 million in federal energy assistance for the 2009 heating season, almost doubling the $24.5 million received last year.
"This additional $20 million will go a long way toward maintaining life-saving heat for working families, seniors and disabled Oregonians who need a warm place to call home," Gov. Theodore Kulongoski said. "With the increases in the cost of living, this assistance will help many Oregonians avoid tough choices between paying for food, prescription drugs, home heating and gas."
Full Story
Contact:
Melissa Torgerson
503.986.2094
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Governor proclaims October "Affordable Housing Month"
Salem, Oregon (September 17, 2008) - The current crisis in the financial markets makes the proclamation by Oregon Gov. Theodore Kulongoski all the more poignant.
October has been officially declared "Affordable Housing Month," highlighting the enormous need for reasonably-priced housing in the state and nation as major home-finance institutions have been taken over by the federal government.
Full Story
Contact:
Sandy McDonnell, 503.986.2012
Floyd Smith, 503.986.6747
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Call for Entries: Housing and Community Services Excellence Awards
Salem, Oregon (August 14, 2008) - Oregon Housing and Community Services is soliciting nominations for its 2008 Excellence Awards. Winners will be announced at the OHCS Conference in early October in Salem.
"The nominees are the cornerstone of our communities," Victor Merced, the agency director, said. "They ensure that all Oregon citizens, regardless of income, have fair and open access to housing and the necessary supportive services to meet their daily needs."
The deadline for nominations has been extended to August 31, 2008.
Full Story
Contact:
Sandy McDonnell, 503.986.2012
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Conference Creates Opportunities to Thrive
Salem, Oregon (August 13, 2008) – Oregon’s capital will be alive with activity on October 6 - 8, 2008, as housing and service partners from around the state share lessons learned and offer new opportunities for involvement during the 2008 Oregon Housing and Community Services Creating Opportunities to Thrive Conference.
The conference is designed to engage participants, preparing them to take decisive action on behalf of vulnerable Oregonians. "Housing markets are in turmoil, energy prices are gobbling the American dollar, and the overall economy sags," notes Victor Merced, director, Oregon Housing and Community Services. "This is a time within our state, and the nation's history, that demands action."
Full Story
Contact:
Sandy McDonnell, 503.986.2012
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Oregon to receive millions from housing stimulus bill
Salem, Oregon (July 30, 2008) – Oregon homebuyers and renters will derive many millions of dollars from the housing bill signed today by the president, according to Victor Merced, director, Oregon Housing and Community Services.
This rescue for the deeply troubled housing-finance industry, the Housing and Economic recovery Act of 2008, is aimed at restoring public trust in the housing market. It does so by bolstering the financial standing of loan insurers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and by addressing severe challenges faced by the public confronted with escalating mortgage payments and falling home values.
Full Story
Contact:
Rick Crager, 503.986.2076
John Fletcher, 503.986.6721
Floyd Smith, 503.986.6747
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State approves housing funds generating over $67.3 million in economic activity across Oregon
Salem, Oregon (July 7, 2008) -Fifteen low-income housing projects throughout Oregon will receive funding through the Oregon Housing and Community Services spring 2008 funding cycle, OHCS Director Victor Merced announced today.
These combined grants, loans and tax credits will amount to nearly $39.6million in total project costs, which will support construction or rehabilitation of 263 units of affordable housing around the state. The projects will generate approximately $67.3 million in economic activity throughout the state’s economy.
Full Story
Contact:
Betty Markey 503.986.2116
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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‘A Home for Hope’: Governor’s Homelessness Prevention Plan Revealed
Salem, Oregon (June 18, 2008) – The framework to end homelessness in Oregon, dubbed A Home for Hope, will be presented to state and local officials and community leaders at the Leadership Homelessness Summit on Thursday, June 19, on the campus of Willamette University .
“The kickoff of the 10-year plan has received substantial support from leaders who are intent on ending homelessness,” Rick Crager, chair of the Ending Homelessness Advisory Council , said. “More than 130 are expected to attend, which demonstrates a substantial commitment. They will share best practices necessary in crafting their own local plans and discuss proven strategies that reduce homelessness.”
Full Story
Contact:
Rick Crager, 503.986.2076
Roberto Franco, 503.986.6732
Floyd Smith, 503.986.6747
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State awards funds for housing rehabilitation
Salem, Oregon (April 29, 2008) – Non-metropolitan areas across Oregon are in store for federal housing rehabilitation funds distributed by the state.
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) recently awarded more than $2.7 million in federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds under the “non-entitlement” Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to fix low-income, owner-occupied homes. Separately, metropolitan areas, dubbed “entitled,” receive rehabilitation funds directly from HUD.
Full Story
Contact:
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
Lynn Shoessler 503.986.2073
Ernie Kirchner 503.986.2136
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State seeds Habitat’s revolving loan fund
Portland, Oregon (April 16, 2008) - Habitat for Humanity of Oregon will use its $500,000 interest-free loan from Oregon Housing and Community Services as seed money for a revolving loan fund available to the 34 Habitat affiliates across the state.
Full Story
Contact:
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
Patricia Day TenEyck 360.991.1056
Amy Buringrud 503.758.5620
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$6.2 million dedicated to “build” Oregonians out of poverty
Portland, Oregon (February 14, 2008) – The opportunity for low-income Oregonians to “build assets” has received a $6.2 million boost.
Asset building by means of individual development accounts (IDAs) achieved this milestone through collaboration between Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and the Neighborhood Partnership Fund (NPF), which awarded the funds to six nonprofit agencies serving 30 counties.
Full Story
Contact:
Janet Byrd 503.226.3001 ext. 103
Rick Crager 503.986.2076
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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$191 million authorized for first-time homebuyer assistance
Salem, Oregon (January 30, 2008) – Oregon’s first-time homebuyers will benefit from action by the Private Activity Bond Committee to allocate almost $191 million in tax-exempt bond authority to the state’s housing finance agency, OHCS.
Oregon Housing and Community Services, accordingly, will issue these bonds over the next several years for first-time homebuyer loans through the agency’s Residential Loan Program. This allocation will support the long-term availability of resources for homeownership in the state.
Full Story
Contact:
Rick Crager 503.986.2076
Bob Larson 503.986.2058
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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Oregon Housing Council pushes to preserve affordable housing
Salem, Oregon (January 15, 2008) – Members of the Oregon State Housing Council will appear before the House Revenue Committee this Thursday to advocate for “preservation” of subsidized affordable housing, as requested by legislators.
Full Story
Contact:
Scott Cooper 541.447.6555
Rick Crager 503.986.2076
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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For More Information:
Contact:
Floyd SmithAgency Affairs Director
503.986.6747
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