Plambeck Gardens

Tualatin's Newest Affordable Housing

The official groundbreaking for Plambeck Gardens finally will finally take place on June 16! The $69.4 million development will consist of 116 units located near the beautiful Basalt Creek natural area. Designed by architect Carleton Hart and constructed by LMC Construction, will consist of three mirrored three-story apartment buildings and a single-story community building. The property includes design features such as extra storage, education space and space for large family gatherings, and amenities including play areas, a sports field, community gardens and landscaping designed to bring residents together and foster connections with each other and nature.

Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH), the project's sponsor, has worked with community partner organizations to understand housing needs in the area. Based on this housing needs analysis, CPAH prioritized larger family units and support for microenterprise, employment, educational and health opportunities. Partnerships with Community Action and Centro Cultural will ensure residents have access to supportive services, career coaching and business development. Other partners include Cascade AIDS Project, Lifeworks NW, Native American Rehabilitation Association, Neighborhood Health Center, and Unite Oregon.

Terrace Glen Housing Now Accepting Applications!

Terrace Glen, a new 144-unit affordable housing property near Washington Square Mall that is partially funded by the 2018 Metro Affordable Housing Bond, is currently accepting application packets. They can be emailed: TerraceGlen@Quantumres.com or taken to their temporary lease-up office at 9370 SW Greenburg Road, Suite N, Tigard, OR 97223. For more info visit their website.

Interested in Waitlist Openings?

Keep up to date with the Washington County Department of Housing Services vouchers' waitlist openings by reading our e-newsletter. When the time comes, this is where we'll notify people first. Share this link to sign up family, friends and colleagues.

Time, Place, Manner Ordinance

The Department of Housing Services, in partnership with County Counsel, is leading the policy development process to prepare the Board of County Commissioners to consider enacting a new County ordinance in compliance with House Bill 3115. HB3115 codifies the Martin v Boise case by requiring that any Oregon jurisdictions that regulate when, where, and how people experiencing homelessness are allowed to sleep on public property when there is no available shelter option do so in an objectively reasonable manner. This policy requirement is generally known as “Time, Place and Manner.” Local ordinances, if any, must be compliant by July 1, 2023.

The Department of Housing Services and County Counsel have facilitated this policy development in partnership with city jurisdictions, stakeholder departments, impacted community-based organizations, people with lived experiences, and the greater public. This engagement process ensures transparency, community involvement, and the development of an equitable community-informed policy for the Board’s consideration.

The engagement process has consisted of several community meetings to inform residents and receive feedback on implementation of the ordinance. These meetings are an opportunity for residents, businesses and community partners to learn more and provide feedback and recommendations towards implementation. The last available meeting will be virtually held on May 31 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Click here to register!

How Does a Person Become Homeless?

Washington County released a series of videos every Friday on social media to answer FAQs about homelessness! Check out the second video in our series. Huge thanks to our fantastic interviewees: Kim Marshall - Project Homeless Connect, Officer James Weed - Hillsboro Police Department, and Katherine Galian - Washington County Homeless Services Division).

Anna’s Housing Journey:

“Until you’ve been there, you just never know.”

Anna moved into an apartment with her partner William (Bill) and the help of the RLRA (regional long-term rental assistance) program in December 2022. She sat down with us to share her housing journey.

Anna grew up in Washington County and was living in Tigard when she fell on hard times. Anna says, “I got a divorce from my former husband and moved in with my mom.” After a traumatic experience witnessing gun violence, Anna fell into addiction and shortly after began living in a trailer.

Anna and Bill spent over fifteen years sleeping first in a trailer and then outside in a tent. Both struggled with addiction and numerous health challenges and knew something needed to change. Anna says, “Faith has been the biggest thing for me. It’s very difficult to be sober and homeless.”

Anna connected with a housing case manager at Just Compassion, who helped them get qualified for regional long-term rental assistance (RLRA) funded by the Supportive Housing Services program. After years of sleeping outside with no end in sight, “We could pick whatever apartment we wanted as long as it fit in the budget. We looked for a place with no stairs and a back area for our dog. In the end, Bill picked the apartment, but I get to pick the house when we are ready to buy a home.”

They moved into their apartment in December 2022. Since then, life has gotten easier. Anna explains, “People think we [people experiencing homelessness] are lazy, but it takes so much work to live on the streets. Not a day went by that I didn’t walk ten miles. Until you’ve been there you just never know. Now, sobriety has been the biggest change. I have a relationship with my children and my mom. We go out to dinner. If they need something, we are there.”

Anna is one of the almost 1,300 people who transitioned out of homelessness and into stable housing in Washington County in 2022. Thanks to service providers, like Just Compassion, and the voter-approved Supportive Housing Services program, Washington County continues to see new people access services and move into their very own apartments every day!

Do You Have a Story to Share?

Do you know of someone who may want to share their housing story with us? Or perhaps you work in housing and want to inform others of a specific experience? We want to hear from you and share positive impactful stories that demonstrate our resolve as a community.

Safe Rest Pod Villages Update

As the City of Hillsboro prepares to ready the Hillsboro year-round shelter location for construction, the temporary Safe Rest Pods at SW 17th Ave will be moving to a new home in Cornelius at the end of June. It will be operated by the County and Open Door HousingWorks, serving 30-40 individuals.

Simultaneously, Washington County is exploring with Aloha United Methodist Church to open a temporary safe rest village using pallet style temporary shelters in their parking lot, which would serve an additional 30-40 individuals.

All pod villages are fenced, gated and include 24/7 on-site staff trained in safety, trauma-informed care and employment support. Staff provide a proactive supportive presence in the neighborhood, offer a dedicated phone number for neighbors, use a Good Neighbor Policy and implement a resident Code of Conduct.

To learn more about potential, proposed, and current locations, visit our website.

Looking for Our Next Director

Interested in being Washington County's Department of Housing Services next Director? If so, consider applying by June 11. Reporting to the Assistant County Administrator, the Director of Housing Services plans, directs, and reviews the activities and operations of the Department. This unique role also acts as the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Washington County. Duties include oversight and management of administrative services, United States Housing and Urban Development rental assistance programs, and Continuum of Care homeless programs, as well as two regional voter-approved measures.

The Department of Housing Services' mission is to provide a continuum of affordable housing options that promotes community strength. The department offers rental assistance to low-income households through various federally funded programs, creates affordable housing opportunities in the community for low- and moderate-income households through a combination of creative financing and partnerships with public and private entities and administers programs to address homelessness including A Road Home: Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness and the Supportive Housing Services program.