We want Springfield to be a family-friendly community
for all people to live in every phase of life!
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Springfield Affordable Housing News |
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Seeking Proposals for Affordable Housing |
The Cities of Eugene and Springfield are seeking proposals for rental housing developments affordable to low-income persons. Applications may be submitted for new construction proposals, and/or acquisition of existing residential or non-residential structures to be converted to affordable housing. Priority will be given to proposals that create or add units. The City of Springfield has approximately $2,124,176 in federal HOME funds available for projects through this Request For Proposals. The application deadline is November 16th, with a letter of intent to apply due October 19th. |
Land Sought for Affordable Housing |
Springfield receives an annual allocation of federal funds to help increase the supply of affordable housing. But we can’t build more housing if we don’t have land to build on. If you have vacant land that would be suitable for multifamily housing or a cottage cluster development and are interested in selling it at fair market value, or want to learn more, please get in touch!
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City Receives First Middle Housing Application |
Springfield’s updated development code, which went into effect in July, includes changes to incorporate State requirements from House Bill 2001 (passed in 2019) to allow for the development of middle housing. Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters, and townhouses. In August, the City received its first application for a middle housing development under the new code. |
The application requests approval to turn an existing single-family home with attached accessory dwelling unit into a cottage cluster by adding an additional two units to the back of the property. The developer, Tim Olguin, designed the first two units with the code updates in mind, leaving open space to become the cottage cluster’s shared courtyard. Lane Community College students who are part of Professor Paul Rea’s construction technology building class will help to build the units during their fall through spring school terms. Olguin is working to build housing for rent at slightly below-market rates in Springfield. |
Council to Discuss Springfield's Housing Strategy |
Springfield’s Council will take a more comprehensive look at housing during its October 24, 2022 work session by reviewing the City’s housing strategy, which includes the actions the City is taking to address the community’s housing needs. The session will begin at 5:30PM and the public can attend by phone, virtually via Zoom, or in person in the Council Chambers at Springfield City Hall. The Council packet and details on how to tune into the meeting will be available on the Council's webpage on Thursday, October 20th.
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Council Approves Funds for
Manufactured Dwelling Park
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In their September 6th meeting Council approved an intergovernmental agreement which will give the City $3 million to disperse for the development of a new manufactured dwelling park in Springfield.
The funds were appropriated to Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) in 2021 from the State’s general funds. The City, Representative Lively, and St. Vincent de Paul advocated for these funds in acknowledgement of the need for housing for low-income residents and the risk of displacement some residents of Springfield’s manufactured dwelling parks face. A project proposal will need to be approved by Council before funds are dispersed.
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Waiver of SDCs for Home Ownership |
In May, Council directed staff to design a program to waive System Development Charges (SDCs) for newly constructed housing when sold to low-income homebuyers. The program would waive SDCs for houses sold to households making 80% or less of the area median income.
At its September 12, 2022 work session Council provided direction to staff on the design of the waiver program, including direction that both non-profit and private/for-profit developers could apply for SDC waivers. Council will discuss capping the waiver program in its October 10, 2022 work session. The Council packet and details on how to tune into the meeting will be available on the Council's webpage on Thursday, October 6th.
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City to Require Registration of RVs Used As Temporary Housing |
Due to the heightened need for temporary housing in the community, the City has temporarily allowed recreational vehicles (RVs) to be used as temporary housing since October 2020. RVs must be parked on private property, and the RV occupants and property owners must follow guidelines the City has set. You can read the guidelines here.
To better understand the use of this program, Council directed staff to begin requiring registration of RVs being used as temporary housing in its September 19, 2022 work session. City staff will create a free registration for RV occupants to sign up. Additional information and a link to register will be shared at a later date.
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Revamp of the Springfield Home Ownership Program (SHOP) |
SHOP encourages home ownership in Springfield by assisting low-income households (earning no more than 80% of the area median income) with the first-time purchase of a home. The assistance is an interest-free loan, with repayment generally not required until the home is sold, refinanced, or transferred.
In response to changes in the housing market that have made purchasing a home more challenging for low-income buyers, the City is making several changes to the program. The City has increased the maximum loan amount from $7,000 per household to up to $25,000, and loan funds can now be used toward a wider variety of home purchase expenses.
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225 Fifth Street
Springfield, OR 97477
541.726.2302
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