From Chronic Homelessness to Stable Housing: Washington County surpasses Housing goal for our most vulnerable community members

Our Washington County Homeless Services Division set a goal to help over 500 formerly homeless households transition to long-term, affordable, and supportive housing. Each household represents an individual of family who experienced homelessness for year(s) and many of whom have been living unsheltered waiting for assistance.

In June we hit that fiscal year goal and to date have helped over 800 households (or 1,388 moms, dads, kids, and grandparents) shift from "chronic" homelessness to stable housing. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) aligns wrap-around services and housing to ensure long-term success for program participants.

This milestone is made possible by the 2020 voter-approved Metro Supportive Housing Services Measure. Washington County has spent the last two years building a Homeless Services system with the game changing Regional Long-term Rental Assistance vouchers for homeless families and individuals, dedicated housing case managers that navigate barriers with their program participants, and intentional outreach services that bridge the gaps between unsheltered individuals and the needed steppingstones to reach affordable housing.

To learn more about the people who do the work of housing members of our community, and the people whose lives are being transformed by the programs this funding supports, read the 'My Place in the World' feature by Metro.

Do you own Rental Property?

Are you a landlord or know one who may be interested in partnering with us to house Regional Long-term Rental Assistance (RLRA) voucher recipients? We are excited to share that the County now offers an RLRA Risk Mitigation Program. The new program offers additional financial protections to landlords who operate RLRA-assisted units. To learn more, visit our website or email our RLRA landlord liaison.

Family Focused Plambeck Gardens Breaks Ground

The Plambeck Gardens affordable housing development, currently being built near the beautiful Basalt Creek natural area, officially broke ground on June 16 with speeches by elected officials and community leaders. The festive event was a time of compassion and dedication demonstrated by a strong-knit community coming together to celebrate their progress in providing more opportunities for the people of Tualatin.

“Bringing affordable housing to Tualatin has been a goal for Community Partners for Affordable Housing since its formation,” shared Executive Director Rachel Duke. “We're so excited to be breaking ground and to know that we'll soon have 116 affordable homes available for Tualatin residents. It's such an honor to name this building after Doug Plambeck, a founding board member, powerful advocate, and dedicated volunteer.”

Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington meanwhile shared that, “We must build a better future for our community by empowering our fellow neighbors, and that is what Plambeck Gardens embodies. It represents the only way we can progress, through collaboration, the key to a healthy and successful society. We are all in this together, the better our neighbors do, the better we do, the better off the whole community. This, is The Oregon Way.”

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.

Terrace Glen Grand Opening

Thanks to the 2018 voter-approved Metro Affordable Housing Bond, later today local leaders and development partners will come together to celebrate the completion of Terrace Glen Apartments. The property is a new housing community providing affordable homes in the heart of the Metzger neighborhood near Washington Square.

Citing the intergenerational development for low and very low-income residents, Ann Silverberg, CEO of Related Northwest, shared that, “We are pleased to partner with the Housing Authority of Washington County to build critically needed housing with services for 144 families and seniors. Public-private partnerships like these are essential to address the state's affordable housing supply shortage.” For more info visit www.terraceglen.com.

Interested in Waitlist Openings?

Keep up to date with Washington County's Department of Housing Services affordable housing and vouchers' waitlist openings by checking out our dedicated webpage & signing up to our e-newsletter. When the time comes, these are the places we'll notify people first. Share them with family, friends and colleagues.

Safe Rest Pod Villages Update

Washington County currently funds 426 shelter beds operating County-wide to provide emergency shelter throughout our community. Shelter provides a meaningful steppingstone to help people experiencing homelessness start their journey towards long-term, affordable housing. A robust community engagement effort is underway for safe rest pod villages proposed in Cornelius and Aloha with a goal of beginning programming for both locations in August.

Upcoming Community Meetings:

Safe Rest Village at Aloha United Methodist Church: Virtual meeting on July 17, 12 - 1 p.m.

Cornelius Safe Rest Pods at 4th Ave: In person meeting at Free Orchards Elementary School on July 11, 6 - 7:30 p.m. and a Virtual meeting on July 26, 12 - 1 p.m.

All villages include 24/7 on-site staff trained in safety, housing navigation and employment support. The shelter will provide a proactive, supportive presence in the neighborhood, enforce a Code of Conduct for guests, and offer a dedicated phone number for neighbors. To learn more about pod locations and see recordings of community meetings, visit our website.

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 as our positions list continue to be updated.

Our 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.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, OR | washingtoncountyor.gov/housing