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

A Message from the Manager

It's an honor to be a part of the 50th National Anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program! Since its inception in Washington County in 1979, just five years after the program started nationally, the Office of Community Development has thrived, thanks to the unwavering commitment of our dedicated Policy Advisory Board members and staff. Policy Advisory Board Chairs have included: Larry Cole, Linda Gillispie (Finley), Cindy Hirst, Richard Kidd, Jeannine Murrell, Bob Orlowski, Bob Kindel, Rick Lorenz, Sydney Webb, Peter Truax, Marland Henderson, Frank Bubenik, Teri Lenahan, and Stephanie Jones (current chair). Previous program managers have included: Hank March (20 years as program manager), Peggy Linden (31 years at the Office, 12 years as program manager), and Jennie Proctor (25 years at the Office, 11 years as program manager). We proudly carry forward the legacy they established, supporting a breadth of projects and programs that not only uplift those in need, but also improve the overall livability and quality of life in Washington County. 


As summer gives way to fall, we're reminded of the powerful role change plays in our lives. It shifts our perspectives and propels us forward, guiding us toward the next step on our journey. As we advance in developing our 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, we’re embracing change by adjusting our goals and priorities based on community feedback and the current landscape of service delivery and community needs. Our focus remains on being a reliable partner to community organizations and local jurisdictions seeking funding, while being mindful of the regulations that come with federal funding. Please look ahead for opportunities to engage with us as we share draft goals and priorities for the next five years. I am excited to take this next step with all of you!


Best Regards,

Shannon Wilson, Program Manager

Community Development Block Grant Celebrates 50 years

Elected officials, government staff, program recipients and community members throughout Washington County celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program on August 22, 2024! The celebration included a bus tour featuring projects funded by the program including many parks, senior center, sidewalks, and other infrastructure projects throughout the County. The tour concluded with a luncheon held at CDBG-funded Walnut Street Park and featured guest speakers Bryan Guiney from the Housing and Urban Development, Chair Harrington, Commissioner Treece, City of Banks Mayor Stephanie Jones, and Community Development Program Manager, Shannon Wilson. A special thank you to the City of Beaverton, the City of Hillsboro, the City of Cornelius, Project Homeless Connect, Marjorie Stewart Senior Community Center, Just Compassion of East Washington County, and Bienestar for their participation in the tour. See HUD’s press release recognizing the 50th anniversary here.

Peter Brandom, City Manger for the City of Cornelius, shared about the history of CDBG investment in Cornelius.

Participants toured the Cornelius Library which was constructed with the support of CDBG funding.

Kim Marshall, Project Homeless Connect's Executive Director, shared how CDBG was the very first funder of their program and continues to support Day Center staff and services.

Itzel Hernandez Spehar, Bienestar's Director of Advocacy and Community Services, spoke about their resident services program at Reedville Apartments.

Participants toured the Majorie Stewart Senior Center where they learned about the CDBG funding that has supported them since 1979 as well as the current programming.

Michael Austin, Development Manager for Just Compassion of East Washington County, spoke about the construction of a new congregate shelter in Tigard. CDBG funds supported the purchase of the land.

Commissioner Treece, Board of County Commissioners, shared how much she has learned being on the Policy Advisory Board (PAB), and how thankful she is for the rest of the PAB members and the staff for all that they put into this program.

Mayor Stephanie Jones, City of Banks and PAB chair, shared how CDBG has helped the City improve their water lines, sidewalks and streets while also funding the construction of a new library nearly 30 years ago. 

Chair Harrington, Board of County Commissioners, spoke about the great work CDBG has done throughout the county and encouraged participants to advocate for additional CDBG funding.

Bryan Guiney, Portland Field Office Director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, spoke about the history of investment in community development nationally leading up to the inception of the Community Development Block Grant Program and presented the County with a plaque commemorating the anniversary. 

Join Us for an Open House!


Mark your calendars for our upcoming open house events where we'll share more about the 2025 Consolidated Plan and get community feedback on the drafted goals and priorities. Throughout September and October, we will also be bringing draft goals and priorities for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan to a number of advisory bodies.


October 16, 5-7pm, Tigard Public Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard

October 17, 5-7pm, Centro Cultural de Washington County, 1110 N Adair St, Cornelius

Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant Workshops

Washington County's Office of Community Development (OCD) will be conducting its Application Workshops for the 2025 funding year (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026). Staff will review new policies, give a program overview, and go over application requirements for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services, Public Facilities, and Infrastructure projects as well as the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program.


Attendance at the workshops is MANDATORY for all program applicants.


Monday, November 18, 2024

CDBG Public Services at 10:00 am

CDBG Public Facilities & Infrastructure at 1:00 pm

* Held at the Washington Street Conference Center

Please RSVP by emailing Pablo Garnica at Pablo_Garnica@washingtoncountyor.gov


Wednesday, November 20, 2024

ESG Program at 9 am

*Held via Teams

Please RSVP by emailing Lauren Calo at Lauren_Calo@washingtoncountyor.gov


Please note that the HOME funding application cycle will be delayed until Fall 2025.

Public Comment Opportunity on Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

Washington County and the City of Beaverton have prepared their 2023 CAPER reports as required by federal regulations. The report details project accomplishments as well as expenditures throughout the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program. The purpose of the report is to measure to what extent the jurisdictions are meeting priority needs, goals and strategies as outlined in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.


The 2023 CAPER report is available for review and comment and can be downloaded from the County’s web site.


Public Comment Opportunity on Community Participation Plan and Language Access Policy

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 are available for public comment from August 19 to September 18 and a public hearing was held on September 3 at the Board of County Commissioner's meeting. The draft plans can be found here.

2025-2029 Consolidated Plan Timeline

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