Housing Development Grant Program

The Housing Development Grant Program (HDGP) is administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services, a state agency responsible for advancing housing stability and affordability across Oregon. Established through the 2009 legislative session, the program was created to expand the supply of housing for low-income and very low-income individuals and families throughout the state. The program reflects Oregon’s policy commitment to addressing housing shortages by supporting development activities that increase access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Funding for the program is derived from public purpose charges and document recording fees collected at the county level, ensuring a dedicated funding stream for housing initiatives. The primary purpose of HDGP is to provide financial support in the form of grants, and in some cases loans, to construct new housing, acquire and rehabilitate existing properties, or support the operation of affordable rental housing. The program prioritizes projects that serve households with the greatest need, particularly those earning at or below 50 percent of the area median income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A portion of funding is also allocated to households earning up to 80 percent of area median income, with strict long-term affordability requirements extending up to 60 years. Projects are encouraged to incorporate resident services such as childcare, job training, financial counseling, and emergency assistance, as these elements are considered in funding preference decisions. Eligible applicants for HDGP funding include a broad range of entity types to maximize participation and housing production capacity. These include nonprofit organizations, housing authorities, local governments, private companies, manufactured dwelling park cooperatives, federally recognized Tribal Nations, and individual developers. This inclusive eligibility structure reflects the program’s goal of leveraging both public and private sector expertise to address housing challenges across diverse communities. Eligible beneficiaries are defined as low-income and very low-income households, including both families and individuals, with income thresholds determined relative to local median income levels. Applications for HDGP funding are submitted through the Oregon Centralized Application process, commonly referred to as ORCA. This system provides a unified platform for applicants to seek multiple funding sources administered by the state. The application process is open on a rolling basis as long as funds remain available, and funding allocations are refreshed biennially. Applicants are encouraged to combine HDGP funds with other public or private financing sources to maximize project feasibility and impact. Detailed requirements, including subsidy limits and per-unit funding caps, are outlined in the program manual and depend on project type and target population. Funding decisions are influenced by several factors, including regional housing needs, project readiness, and the extent to which developments incorporate supportive services for residents. Compliance requirements are stringent, particularly regarding long-term affordability and reporting obligations. Award recipients must adhere to regulatory agreements and maintain properties in safe and sanitary conditions while ensuring ongoing service provision where applicable. Legal documentation is standardized, and applicants must comply with prescribed templates unless specific project-related modifications are approved through a formal review process. The program does not operate on a fixed annual deadline but instead accepts applications continuously while funds are available, making it a rolling opportunity rather than a cyclical one. There are no stated pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers. Contact information for program inquiries is provided through Oregon Housing and Community Services, including a program analyst responsible for rental housing inquiries. The absence of a fixed deadline combined with biennial funding replenishment indicates that while applications may be submitted at any time, funding availability may fluctuate depending on allocation cycles and demand.

Leverage additional public and private funding sources and incorporate resident services such as childcare and job training to strengthen application competitiveness