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Housing Services Newsletter
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Safe Rest Pods on 17th Ave Get Ready To Open their Doors | |
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[Photo Courtesy of Community Supported Shelters]
Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, and Open Door HousingWorks are acting quickly to provide unhoused community members with emergency shelter by creating a temporary shelter site at the corner of SW 17th Avenue and TV Highway. Long-term plans for the site include standing up a permanent, year-round shelter, but while the planning process continues, this temporary solution allows for the efficient use of available space to provide much-needed shelter.
With an expected timeline of October 2022 through March 2023, the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue will provide safe sleeping spaces and support services for 30 to 40 unhoused individuals or couples. Anyone seeking shelter should work with their housing case worker or outreach worker to get access to emergency housing or call Community Connect to get a referral.
“Our organization has taken a boots on the ground approach to supporting our most vulnerable community members with outreach workers, housing case managers, an active day center, winter shelter operations, and now operations for the Safe Rest Pods,” said OpenDoor Housing Works Director, Jeremy Toevs. “We see the need every day and know that this is going to make a huge difference in the lives of many of the people we support.”
Temporary Safe Rest Pods will be constructed in the form of Conestoga Huts with 60 square feet of living space and 20 square feet of porch space, insulation, and a portable design that can be built, taken down, and rebuilt. The temporary site will also offer mental health, housing navigation, and employment support for shelter guests.
Check out recent coverage of this project in this KOIN story and Hillsboro Tribune article!
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Community Leaders Tackle Housing Crisis Head-on With Grand Opening of New Affordable Housing in Forest Grove | |
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Washington County’s affordable housing supply will start off this month in a little better shape with the grand opening of Forest Grove’s first affordable housing bond project, The Valfre at Avenida 26. Thanks to the steadfast efforts of the Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC) and partners, the community has opened its doors just a year after construction began.
The Valfre at Avenida 26, a modern apartment complex with a variety of community amenities including an activity room, playground, a community garden and more, provides 36 affordable homes for low-income families, with 30 of them two- and three-bedroom apartments. Eight apartments meanwhile are set aside to provide permanent supportive housing with wrap around services and case management for our most vulnerable community members.
Adolph “Val” Valfre, Jr., for whom the project is named, served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and Vietnam veteran. He is a former Forest Grove city councilor, prior executive director of the Housing Authority of Washington County, longtime public servant and resident of Forest Grove too. Giving an impassioned speech during the grand opening event he stated, “Nothing can please me more than to see families, both young and old, culturally diverse experiencing security, hope and prosperity in these new apartments. These families and more to come will become our new neighbors…. [and] if there's any doubt whether more affordable housing is justified, please consider this single 36-unit project alone generated over 470 inquiries, far exceeding this project’s capacity. I ask you to just multiply that demand across this beautiful county... too many in our communities are either being priced out or forced out of housing security and without housing security, no city, no community, can prosper.”
“Housing is foundational, it forms the bedrock of household stability and security and is vital to a full and meaningful participation in society," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "Metro’s affordable housing bond and supportive housing services measure are game changing investments. They show our region’s commitment to putting forward solutions to end the housing crisis and to help our neighbors afford a home of their own.”
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The same week of the grand opening celebration for The Valfre at Avenida 26, Washington County and BRIDGE Housing celebrated a groundbreaking event to commemorate construction underway on the Aloha Family Housing project. This project is slated to open sometime next year.
At the celebration Commissioner Nafisa Fai states that, “We know rising housing prices disproportionately impact large families. Projects like this are a part of the solution...[and] I particularly look forward to celebrating the grand opening of Aloha Family Housing and seeing families thrive here.”
“Washington County is working closely with our partners to address the housing crisis in a myriad of ways including the development of beautiful affordable housing like this,” said Washington County Board Chair Kathryn Harrington. In the last year alone, the county has opened 117 new affordable homes and has another 505 currently under construction.
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Project-Based Vouchers Waitlist Opens!
The Housing Authority of Washington County is now accepting applications for a new General Project-Based Voucher Rental Assistance waitlist effe Wednesday September 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. through Thursday October 6, 2022 at 5 p.m. The waitlist may close earlier once applications exceed over 300 for each bedroom size, currently serving one, two and three bedroom units. For more information click here.
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Funds Available To Keep the Ball Rolling on Affordable Housing Investments in Washington County | |
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Washington County has posted a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for $13 million in Metro Affordable Housing Bond funds allocated to Washington County. Click here to view the NOFA application. Any questions should be submitted through the application portal.
Deadline for application submission is 10/21/2022 at 2:00 p.m. This NOFA includes the majority of the County’s remaining allocation of Metro Affordable Housing Bond funds.
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Program Participant Highlight: Colbert Willis, the Man With the “Best Smile”
Colbert came to Oregon following a painful divorce to stay with his dad and to be around family as his dad was having health issues. Two months after moving to Oregon, his father passed away and he became homeless.
Through Community Connect he was referred to and connected with Project Homeless Connect, one of 21 housing case management service providers. Project Homeless Connect first helped him move into a hotel shelter program. Colbert maintained employment despite these challenges but suffered an injury at work that required surgery and a lot of rest forcing him to take some time off. He says, “I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have shelter at that time. I am grateful to the help, it was a safe place to be clean, rest, heal, and focus on my mental health. Mind, body and soul.”
With the help of a housing case manager, Colbert quickly qualified for an RLRA (Regional long-term rent assistance) voucher, and he and his case manager looked for an apartment together. Colbert moved into his very own apartment in May 2022.
When asked about his experience, Colbert shared, “To anyone who needs it this program is where it's at! It has helped change my life; I now have a new Life! I am able to take care of myself now, mentally and physically.”
To learn more about programs helping people like Colbert check out the Supportive Housing Services 2021-2022 Annual Report.
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The Department of Housing Services has grown exponentially over the last 2+ years with exciting, new regional funding and increased federal funds to tackle homelessness and provide affordable housing across Washington County.
Housing Services Director, Komi Kalevor says, “As we continue to tackle the housing affordability crisis head on, I look forward to combining new voices and perspectives with the tremendous experience of our department.” A spectrum of positions in Housing are available or will be posted in the coming months from entry level to upper management with a competitive benefits package and a dynamic, hardworking, and welcoming environment.
Click here to view available positions and continue to check back as positions will continue to be posted over the coming months.
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The Department of Housing Services' new location as of 09/12/2022 is Adams Crossing at 161 NW Adams Ave, Suite 2000, MS 63, Hillsboro, OR 97124. The new space is fully renovated to accommodate our growing team. The lobby is located on the 2nd floor and all phone numbers have remained the same.
We look forward to welcoming you!
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The Washington County Department of Housing Services was formed in 1992 to administer housing activities and programs of the county and the Washington County Housing Authority. The mission of the Department of Housing Services is to provide a continuum of affordable housing options that promotes community strength. The department offers rental assistance to low-income households through various federally funded programs, creates affordable housing opportunities in the community for low- and moderate-income households through a combination of creative financing and partnerships with public and private entities and administers programs to address homelessness including A Road Home: 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness and the Supportive Housing Services program.
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