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Housing Services Newsletter

October 27, 2022 | housingservices@washingtoncountyor.gov

Community Collaborates on Solving Housing Crisis: Groundbreaking of Saltzman's Affordable Housing

On September 29th leaders, neighbors and partners gathered together to celebrate the Saltzman Road Apartments groundbreaking, connect with each other and learn more on this new community that is slated to open in October 2023. The apartments will be the only affordable housing complex for seniors in the Portland metro area that has explicit anti-discriminatory policies for LGBTQIA+ residents.

“Fifty-four more affordable homes will now be available to the people of Washington County thanks to the collaboration of government, private and non-profit sectors. The Saltzman Road Apartments is the result of voter approved trust in action and is one way we can solve our affordable housing crisis, and end homelessness as we know it,” emphasized Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington. The Saltzman Road Apartments is a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments affordable to seniors earning at or below 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income.

As a vulnerable population, LGBT residents will be served through informed resident services by non-profit provider Friendly House. Its Executive Director, Mya Chamberlin, stated that for more than two decades its program SAGE Metro Portland "has been advocating for safe, welcoming and affordable housing for LGBTQ+ older adults, one of our state's most historically underserved and underrepresented populations. We are thrilled to be collaborating with bold, courageous and innovative partners."

This project, funded by the Housing Authority of Washington County and Oregon Metro’s affordable housing bond, is a partnership between Home First Development Partners (HFD) who developed the site along with Christ United Methodist Church and Low-Income Tax Credit Investor Red Stone Equity Partners. Community is key to the development with its ample space, and will include a community kitchen, lounge, activity and multi-purpose rooms. Ben Pray, Owner and Financing Director at HFD shared, “We are grateful for the funders, lenders, and community support that made it possible. We can’t wait to see the vibrant, inclusive community that we know will thrive at Saltzman Road for years to come.”

Check out recent coverage of this project in this Beaverton Valley Times article.

Sonrise Church Partners with Department of Housing Services

Sonrise Church's partnership with Washington County's Department of Housing Services has led to the making of "Welcome Home" kits. Watch this video to learn more about the volunteers behind the church's kits donation drive for program participants transitioning into housing. And click here to donate to their noble cause today!

Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue Rolls Out Welcome Mats

Washington County has moved quickly to provide unhoused community members with emergency and bridge shelter options, with 320 beds available as of November 1.

A brand-new temporary shelter program, the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Ave, opened earlier this month in partnership with the City of Hillsboro and nonprofit Open Door HousingWorks, providing shelter to 30 to 40 individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. This shelter uses Conestoga style huts or “pods” to efficiently use the parking lot of the future year-round shelter location while planning is underway. Check out recent coverage in this KGW8's news piece.

Next steps include providing 150 beds of winter shelter including motel and hotel models to serve families and medically fragile individuals, in addition to our shared room programs. Winter shelters will run from November 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023.

"Housing Our Community" Event Gives Whirlwind Tour on County Progress Against Homelessness

After a year of Supportive Housing Services implementation, we gathered service providers, partner jurisdictions, and elected officials to celebrate housing 370 people. The tour included Casa Amparo, a culturally responsive bridge shelter location, the Project Homeless Connect Day Center, and ended at the future year-round Beaverton shelter location. Thank you to our inspiring speakers and event coordinators for bringing us together.

Crave Some Weekend Reading? Check out our Supportive Housing Services Annual Report!

Measuring the impact of programs and public investments ensures our work is on track and doing the greatest good possible for our community. Highlights include housing 370 people, opening over 100 year-round shelter beds, and partnering with 21 service providers to make this work a reality! Take a look for yourself at our latest Annual Report here.

Finding home at the Viewfinder: Tonya & Charlene

Two moms and their families are looking to the future after finding stable and affordable housing at the Viewfinder in Tigard, one of the first apartment communities that uses Metro affordable housing bond funding to open. With help from the Good Neighbor Center – and their own perseverance – Tonya and Charlene have the space to focus on what’s next.

When asked what people who haven’t experienced homelessness might not know, Tonya explained, “I see how people get homeless. Everybody says, ‘Oh, they must want to live like that’. Well, we don't want to live like that. That's just how it happens and it's really unfortunate.” At the same time, it can be really hard to ask for help. “Everybody needs help at some time in your life,” but for Tonya, “that was the hardest thing for me, was to say, okay, I need help. I can't do this. I don't know what to do next.”

The Viewfinder has 81 apartments, including 25 one-bedroom and 56 two and three-bedroom homes. Almost half are reserved for households who earn 30% area median income or less, which is $22,230 for a household of one and $31,950 for a household of four. The project used $11.5 million in affordable housing bond funds.

To continue reading this Oregon Metro article click here.

Director Kalevor congratulating Lisa Alvarado, Housing Occupancy Specialist, for her dedication and 20 years of County service.

Director Kalevor congratulating Adriana Moran, Housing Occupancy Specialist, for her dedication and 5 years of County service.

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: 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness and the Supportive Housing Services program.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, OR | washingtoncountyor.gov/housing