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Council Recommends DevNW’s Laura Apartments for HOME‑ARP Funding, Authorizes City Land Transfer
Summary
Springfield City Council recommended two proposals for HOME‑ARP funding for a city parcel at 1577 Laura Street, prioritized a three‑bedroom family project from DevNW, and authorized the city manager to transfer the lot pending the HOME Governing Board and HUD requirements.
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — The Springfield City Council on Monday recommended two competing proposals for one-time HOME‑ARP federal funds for a city‑owned lot at 1577 Laura Street and gave the city manager authority to transfer the parcel to the project selected by the HOME Governing Board.
The council recommended both proposals proceed to the Eugene‑Springfield HOME Governing Board but placed priority on a DevNW proposal to build three attached, three‑bedroom homes targeted to survivors of domestic violence. The motion to recommend both projects with priority for DevNW passed unanimously, 6‑0. The council then voted 6‑0 to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute the documents necessary to transfer the Laura Street parcel to the applicant awarded HOME‑ARP funds.
The decision follows an evaluation process run by Eugene as lead of the HOME consortium. The site is a 0.17‑acre parcel the city received from the county with a 20‑year affordability requirement. Two proposals responded to the HOME‑ARP RFP. DevNW, a HUD‑designated Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), proposed three three‑bedroom homes serving households earning up to 80% of area median income and partnering with Hope & Safety Alliance for referrals and services. Porch House LLC proposed a five‑unit cottage cluster aimed at people living with HIV/AIDS, with four units at 50% AMI and one unit at 80% AMI and a $200,000 supportive‑services commitment to HIV Alliance.
Both proposals requested the same HOME‑ARP award amount (amount not specified in the packet). The evaluation committee — which included staff from Eugene and Springfield, Councilor Rodley, and two community representatives — scored both proposals as suitable for funding; DevNW scored slightly higher largely on organizational experience. Staff recommended forwarding both proposals to the HOME Governing Board and prioritizing DevNW so the board could move to the second proposal if the chosen project proved not viable during federal underwriting.
Eugene will not close on HOME‑ARP funding until HUD requirements are satisfied; Springfield will not transfer the Laura Street lot until Eugene closes. Councilors who spoke during the discussion emphasized the local nonprofits’ track records and the projects’ complementary target populations. Councilors also noted the benefit of pairing federal funds with an available city parcel to reduce financing complexity.
Next steps: the council’s recommendation goes to the HOME Governing Board (mayors and designated councilors from Eugene and Springfield) for an official award decision; if a project is awarded HOME‑ARP funds, the city manager will complete the land transfer documents.
Less critical details: the city packet includes site plans, scoring summaries, and partnership commitments for each applicant; staff said funding amounts and final underwriting remain subject to HUD and Eugene review.
