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March 31, 2025 | housingservices@washingtoncountyor.gov

Left to right: Tigard Chamber of Commerce member Debbi Mahilum, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, Chair Kathryn Harrington, City of Tigard Mayor Heidi Lueb, Just Compassion Director Vernon Baker, President of the Just Compassion Board of Directors Darla Tillman-Samuelson, Tigard Chamber member Megan DeSalvo, Governor Tina Kotek, Metro Council President Lynn Peterson, Tigard member Allison Hancock 

Hello Washington County,

Spring is here! With it comes a renewed spirit to create a Washington County where all of us have a stable home with the supports we need to thrive. We are grateful for our Washington County congressional delegation, which remains in strong support of HUD and federal housing programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher program, which serves 3,000+ households, and the Community Development Block Grant, which helped fund the new Just Compassion Shelter and Resource Center (see picture above).  

Department of Housing Services staff were in DC last week to share our priorities with our federal delegation and learn more about Congressional appropriations. Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that maintains current funding levels without adjustments to increased costs until September 30, 2025. However, doesn’t mean there won’t be cuts to specific program areas. Just a couple of weeks ago, we were notified by HUD that they are terminating the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program years earlier than promised, leaving thousands of households who had exited homelessness back to housing instability across the country. In Washington County, we hope to be able to support our 80 EHV households with regional or state resources Supportive Housing Services. While federal program cuts loom, we’re reminded just how vital it is to maintain local and state funding sources.

On the state legislature front, last week, Governor Tina Kotek’s proposed housing investments were presented to a budget committee. The needs of our community were uplifted during public comment with Chair Kathryn Harrington’s written testimony in support of needs across the housing continuum and letters from the Homeless Solutions Advisory Council and the Housing Advisory Committee. We remain hopeful that the Oregon Legislature will continue to invest in housing solutions.

To conclude, progress happens in starts and stops. Today marks the end of women’s history month and, in moments like these, it’s important to remember we are on a long journey to housing stability for all. I have found myself reflecting on the fact that it was only 57 years ago when the Fair Housing Act passed and barred housing discrimination on the bases of gender (and more). Until Congress acted in 1974, women could not obtain mortgages or loans. Recognizing the lessons of history, we must continue on the road to housing access for all regardless of the bumps along the way. 

Best, 

Molly Rogers

Community leaders joined in the celebration of Just Compassion of East Washington County’s brand-new shelter and access center this month. The event was standing room only with representatives from every layer of government including Governor Kotek, Just Compassion board members, volunteers, and staff, and other service providers all in attendance. The key takeaway? Partnership! The investment of time and funding from many places made this shelter a reality.

Washington County funded the shelter’s expansion with voter-approved Metro Supportive Housing Services measure funds, Community Development Block Grant resources, and will provide SHS to fund ongoing operations. The Just Compassion Shelter & Resource Center demonstrates the impact of multiple layers of government in collaboration with other investments through the American Rescue Plan and grants from Care Oregon, the Oregon Community Foundation, Home Builders Foundation, and City of Tigard Redevelopment Assistance.

The new shelter space has capacity to serve 60 shelter guests, while the access center can accommodate an additional 50 people during severe weather events. The access center component of this facility fills a crucial role, serving as the first purpose-built access center in Washington County providing onsite connections to housing, services, and basic needs.

This shelter joins the Washington County shelter program which provides over 400 shelter beds county-wide serving many different needs including veterans, families, people with disabilities, and youth.

This BRIDGE Housing development that broke ground in 2023 (see picture to the left), represents a public-private partnership with financing not just from the bond, but also a variety of government agencies, non-profits, and commercial lenders. Altura is the nineth out of 12 total bond-funded projects to open in the last three years. We’re currently on track to exceed every bond goal because of our collaboration. Despite the unprecedented challenges in front of us, we must stay the course to reach new heights (Altura is Spanish for height).

If you’re currently looking for an affordable place to call, then check out Altura Apartments and apply to join their waitlist today at their website today! 

Future year-round Hillsboro Shelter celebrates construction milestone

The theme of this newsletter might just be construction, and here is another exciting milestone for the future year-round Hillsboro Shelter to share.

The site began construction in January and completion is anticipated later this year. On March 3rd elected officials from Washington County, the City of Hillsboro, and Metro took the time to celebrate with an official groundbreaking. Once open, this site will provide 75 shelter beds using an innovative design that blends congregate (shared sleeping quarters) with individual huts to meet the varied needs of people experiencing homelessness as they get back inside.

Just four years ago, there were no year-round shelters for adults experiencing homelessness and few options for families in all of Washington County. Every groundbreaking, every brick laid, and every grand opening puts us in a better position to serve the needs of our most vulnerable community members with a warm place to sleep and a path back to stable housing.

For more on the groundbreaking, take a look at this footage from Fox 12!

A spectrum of jobs in housing are available from entry level to upper management with a competitive benefits package and a dynamic hardworking environment. Click here to view available positions and check back often as our positions' list continue to be updated.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, OR | washingtoncountyor.gov/housing