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Welcome to Washington County’s Office of Community Development newsletter! 

A Message from the Manager

It is such an honor to be celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program nationally, and the 45-year anniversary of the program’s implementation in Washington County. Created as a part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the CDBG program has provided $112 million to Washington County over the years. In that time, the County has grown from a population of 223,000 in 1979 to a current population of approximately 610,000. Unfortunately, CDBG funding has not kept pace. As we celebrate the important work that has been possible because of the CDBG program it’s also an opportunity to look to the future and consider the role additional CDBG funds could play in expanding broadband infrastructure, climate resiliency efforts, or in furthering workforce development programs. We hope you share our spirit of pride in what has been accomplished as well as optimism for the decades of further investment to come.  


Best Regards,

Shannon Wilson, Program Manager

Community Development Block Grant Celebrates 50 years


August 2024 marks the 50-year anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Since its inception, this program has been a cornerstone of our community’s growth, fostering inclusive neighborhoods, enhancing public facilities, and supporting vital services. In celebration of this occasion, Washington County's Office of Community Development has spent the last several months highlighting the positive impact the

program has had on our local communities. This month’s edition features projects that were completed in the Cities of Gaston, Banks, Cornelius, Tualatin, and Sherwood.


Interested in learning more about our ongoing celebrations? Check out our latest press release here.



Community Development Block Grant Video


We are excited to announce the release of a new video showcasing the incredible impact of the Community Development Block Grant Program in Washington County. This video highlights a variety of projects that have transformed our communities over the years, from improved public spaces to vital social services. Click on the thumbnail or visit our YouTube channel to watch the video and discover how these grants have made a difference in our communities across the county.

Gaston Water Reservoir


The City of Gaston received PY 2006 CDBG funding to construct a new one-million gallon water reservoir. The water needs of the community exceeded that which could be provided by the smaller 300,000 gallon reservoir that was built in 1979. The new tank was constructed adjacent to the existing tank which was kept online until construction of the new reservoir was complete. Upon completion of the new tank, the old tank was taken out of service so that it could be recoated inside and out and put back in service to provide a back-up water supply for the community. 

City of Cornelius Pedestrian Improvements 


The City of Cornelius knows sidewalks! Since 1979 the city has partnered with Washington County to improve pedestrian safety with CDBG! Cornelius has received a total of $3,752,636.32 in CDBG funds for sidewalk pedestrian improvements. 

City of Tualatin Sagert Street


In 2018, The City of Tualatin received CDBG funding to enhance pedestrian access on Sagert St from 72nd Avenue to Wampanoag Drive by removing and replacing nine (9) curb ramps and sidewalks on the south side of Sagert St. to improve walkability and meet current accessibility standards. The project also improved pedestrian safety by adding a crosswalk to connect low-income neighborhoods with improved facilities. The crosswalk added is across Sagert Street at 68th Avenue and includes a pedestrian activated signal, also known as Rapid Flashing Beacon. The project created an improved pedestrian safe corridor that connects residents to the surrounding area.

City of Banks Water Line


The City of Banks was awarded CDBG funds in 2021 to replace the water line along NW Wilkes Street from NW Main Street to the Cul-de-sac as well as to replace the water line from NW Wilkes St to NW Woodman Alley along NW Parmley Avenue. The water line improvements increase redundancy and eliminate dead-end water lines which can cause poor water quality and can impact users near the dead-ends. These streets were resurfaced with new AC pavement and new curb and ADA compliant sidewalk was constructed on the north side of Wilkes Street between Main Street and Parmley Avenue to improve pedestrian visibility and safety.

City of Sherwood Marjorie Stewart Senior Center 


The City of Sherwood has received several CDBG awards over the years for the Marjorie Stewart Senior Center. They received $441,975 in PY 1979 and 1981 CDBG funds to acquire and construct the senior center. They received additional CDBG grants in 1988, 1999, 2003, 2009, and 2012 to make improvements to the senior center including:

  • Construction of an addition to the center’s food storage area, a meeting room, office space, and additional parking spaces;
  • Replacing the sound system and construction of a new freezer room;
  • Construction of a classroom addition;
  •  A new HVAC system, hot water heater, commercial stove, carpeting, and improvements to the parking lot;
  •  Accessibility improvements.

Most recently, they received $208,635 in PY 2023 funds to replace the siding and windows. This project was completed in June 2024. 

Before

After

Bagley Park


The City of Hillsboro received PY 2007 CDBG funding to make improvements to Bagley Park including ADA accessibility improvements, upgraded pathways, new picnic shelter and restroom facilities, new park furnishings and play equipment, and improved site drainage and landscaping. Bagley Park is Hillsboro’s second oldest park, dating back to 1926! These improvements were necessary to bring the park features up to current development code. 

Cornelius Library


The City of Cornelius received PY 2017 CDBG funds to construct the Cornelius Library. This project is a mixed use commercial and residential facility that also included HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding for affordable housing for seniors on the second and third floors above the library.

Sequoia Mental Health


Sequoia Mental Health Services is a non-profit mental health agency serving over 800 individuals with mental illness who live in Washington County. In 2006, a fire had destroyed the agency’s main clinic/administrative office. The agency received CDBG funds in 2010 to assist in the construction of a new clinical office and administrative building for the agency in conjunction with the new adjacent affordable housing project, Spruce Place. The construction of the larger clinic allowed the agency to combine multiple smaller, scattered offices into one centrally located office that has become the center of the agency’s operations.

The 14,500 sq. ft. clinic offers outpatient mental health services to persons with severe and persistent mental illness in the area, as well as onsite mental health services to residents of Spruce Place. The project includes onsite storm water retention, high-efficiency mechanical systems, Energy Star rated appliances and low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) materials.

Sequoia Mental Health Services received an additional CDBG award in 2017 to rehabilitate the residential treatment facility, which houses seven individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental health disabilities. The upgrades included rehabilitation of the electrical and plumbing systems, paving, flooring, roofing, ADA accessible bathrooms, monitoring alarm, and a fire sprinkler system. 

Latino Cultural Festival


This year marked the 18th annual Washington County Chamber – Unitus Community Credit Union Latino Cultural Festival. Every year, Washington County sponsors a booth for the Fair Housing Council of Oregon. This culturally rich festival provided a dynamic platform for sharing information, connecting the community, and promoting local businesses and non-profits to more than 10,000 attendees. 

First Home Funding Available

The Washington County Office of Community Development is happy to announce the application for the First Home Homeownership Program. The First Home Program provides funding for down payment and closing cost assistance, limited repairs, principal reduction, and education to low-moderate income families and non-profit agencies serving households that live or work in Washington County. The goal of the First Home Program is to improve access to homeownership while increasing the number of permanently affordable homes for underserved populations. There are two application paths. One for Down Payment Assistance (DPA) applicants and the other for Permanent Affordability applicants. For FY 2024/25 there is $1 million in First Home funding available. The application is open August 1 – 22, 2024 on Zoom Grants. Application is available here.

Public Comment Opportunity

As part of the Consolidated Planning process, the Washington County Consortium is updating our Community Participation Plan and Language Access Policy. The Community Participation Plan sets the policies and procedures for community participation in the planning and reporting processes for the Washington County Consortium. The Language Access Policy establishes procedures for providing access, translation, interpretive services, and instructions. These policies will be available for public comment August 19-September 3 with a public hearing on September 3 at the Board of County Commissioner's meeting. On August 19, the public notice will be posted here.

2025-2029 Consolidated Plan Timeline

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