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Springfield Affordable Housing News
2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Request for Proposals
The City has approximately $400,000 in federal CDBG funds available to award to projects that address housing and community development needs in our community. We’re currently requesting proposals from public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private developers for these types of projects that primarily serve low-income households.

Applications are due by 5:00 pm on March 15, 2021. More information is available in the application packet.
RVs Allowed on Private Property
With people in our community struggling because of the pandemic and fire evacuees searching for housing options, Springfield residents and businesses have stepped up to help. Many offered a landing spot for those with recreational vehicles (RVs). Due to this heightened need for temporary housing, the Springfield City Council passed a resolution in support of temporarily allowing RVs to be parked on private property. 
 
The resolution included guidelines that uphold safety and heath standards aimed at protecting the occupants of the RVs, including tiny homes on wheels. City Council is scheduled to evaluate the need/response to this temporary measure during a work session at 6:00 pm on May 17, 2021.
For more information, contact Sandy Belson, Comprehensive Planning Manager, at sbelson@springfield-or.gov or 541.736.7135.
Progress on Development Code Update
The Springfield Development Code Update Project is progressing.
Both Phase 1, Housing, and Phase 2, Employment Lands for commercial and industrial zoned lands are underway. The project team is working with Technical Advisory Committee’s to audit and draft new development code sections. The City Council will be given an update on the project status at their March 15, 2021 work session. The Planning Commission will be given a similar update at their March 16, 2021 work session as well as acting as the Committee for Citizen Involvement to review and update the Community Engagement Plan timeline for the project.

Project staff anticipate release public review copies of the new draft code sections at the end of May 2021 to begin the public outreach portion of both Phase 1 and 2. A virtual open house will be developed to provide more information about the proposed changes and gather public input. More information can be found on the project webpage.
2020 Banner Year for Housing Production
After a slow year in 2019, the City issued a record number of building permits for new homes in 2020. The City issued building permits for 103 single-family homes, the most issued in over a decade. The 82 apartment units include: 70 apartments in the Homes for Good affordable housing complex, Hayden Bridge Landing; and one four-plex.

Staff expect this trend level of activity to continue due to the number of subdivisions and other residential land use applications that have been approved this past year. Homeowner interest in adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to their property continues. The City continues to its waive system development charges to incentivize ADUs.
Supporting More Housing with
Publicly Funded Infrastructure
Springfield continues to lack sufficient housing to meet community needs. Developable land is a key component to the construction of new housing. At the direction of City Council, staff is exploring the option of extending infrastructure to serve vacant or underdeveloped land to facilitate additional residential development.

Initial funding for extension of wastewater and stormwater to unserved areas would come from capital reserve funds. These infrastructure projects could be included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. Staff will provide an update to City Council in a work session scheduled for 6:00 pm on April 5, 2021.

For more information, contact Sandy Belson, Comprehensive Planning Manager, at sbelson@springfield-or.gov or 541.736.7135.
225 Fifth Street
Springfield, OR 97477
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