General Housing Account Program - Capacity Building

The General Housing Account Program Capacity Building initiative is administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services, a state agency responsible for advancing housing affordability and stability across Oregon. The program operates under the broader General Housing Account Program, which was established by the Oregon Legislature to expand housing opportunities for low and very low income households. The capacity building component is funded through county document recording fees and receives a designated portion of these funds to support the development of organizational and system level capacity among housing providers and partners throughout the state. The primary purpose of the Capacity Building program is to strengthen the ability of key housing stakeholders to develop, preserve, and operate affordable multifamily rental housing. The program recognizes that effective housing production depends not only on capital funding, but also on the organizational infrastructure, workforce expertise, and regional collaboration needed to sustain long term operations. As such, the program focuses on building internal capacity within organizations and across geographic regions that face housing shortages and limited development resources. Funding supports a wide range of eligible capacity building activities. These include hiring or expanding staff dedicated to housing development, providing training and professional development for staff and board members, engaging consultants for technical assistance, and improving organizational systems such as financial management, asset management, and strategic planning. Additional eligible uses include community engagement efforts, acquisition of hardware and software, curriculum development, needs assessments, and communication and outreach activities. A limited portion of funds may also be used for project related predevelopment soft costs, subject to percentage caps, and indirect costs are allowed within defined limits. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public housing authorities, Native Nations and tribally designated housing entities, and local governments, with a particular emphasis on rural and underserved areas. Applicants must demonstrate involvement or a clear pathway toward developing, preserving, or operating affordable rental housing. While these entity types are broadly eligible, individual funding opportunities may prioritize specific groups or impose additional criteria aligned with state housing priorities and program goals. Applications for capacity building funding are submitted through multiple pathways depending on the specific resource offering. The Oregon Centralized Application system is used for Capacity Building Grants, while other opportunities may be issued through procurement processes such as requests for applications or proposals. Applications are reviewed for eligibility and evaluated based on alignment with program goals, demonstrated need, and the applicant’s capacity to effectively utilize funds. For certain offerings, applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed in the order received, with awards made until available funding is exhausted. The program operates with flexible timelines, with openings and closings announced through official communications and technical advisories. Rolling application periods are common, allowing continuous submission until funds are fully committed. Awards are made based on eligibility and evaluation criteria, and in cases of oversubscription, priority may be determined by factors such as organizational experience and existing housing portfolios. Successful applicants enter into grant agreements outlining funding terms, reporting requirements, and performance expectations. Funds may be disbursed either as reimbursements for completed activities or as advances for planned work, with quarterly documentation required in either case. Grantees are required to submit progress reports twice per year, detailing activities, outcomes, and performance metrics. The program typically supports multi year capacity building efforts, recognizing that developing sustainable organizational capacity takes time. Overall, the General Housing Account Program Capacity Building initiative serves as a critical investment in strengthening Oregon’s housing ecosystem by enabling organizations to effectively deliver and sustain affordable housing solutions.

Align proposal with affordable housing capacity needs; demonstrate organizational readiness and clear impact on housing development capability