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Washington County approves 2025–2029 consolidated plan and 2025 action plan for HUD submission
Summary
The county approved a five‑year consolidated plan and the 2025 action plan to guide allocation of HUD funding (estimated $35 million countywide over five years) and authorized the chair to submit the documents to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted May 6 to approve the five‑year Consolidated Plan for 2025–2029 and the 2025 Action Plan and authorized the chair to execute and submit the plans and related agreements to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Shannon Wilson, program manager for the Office of Community Development, said the consolidated plan sets goals and priorities for federal formula funds the county administers as a consortium with the cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). Wilson estimated roughly $35,000,000 in federal investment countywide over the five‑year plan period, subject to annual HUD allocations.
Wilson said the plan is grounded in a community engagement process that included stakeholder focus groups, more than 40 stakeholder consultations, public hearings and surveys. Key findings in staff and consultant analysis included: large numbers of cost‑burdened households (about 32,000 low‑ and moderate‑income renter households and 24,000 low‑ and moderate‑income owner households reporting cost burden or severe cost burden), a shortage of deeply affordable rental units (a shortfall of just over 16,000 units affordable at 30% of area median income, estimated at $885/month), rising home values (median owner values rose substantially since the previous plan), and increased service needs among special populations such as people with behavioral health conditions, older adults, migrants and justice‑involved residents.
Eva Polley, housing and community development specialist, outlined the consolidated plan's four strategic goals: increase housing stability for low‑ and moderate‑income renters and special populations; improve public facilities and infrastructure benefiting low‑ and moderate‑income people; facilitate affordable homeownership and preserve existing owner‑occupied housing; and fund supportive services. Polley said projects to be funded must align with the plan's guidance to address urgent needs, address identified gaps, and leverage other resources.
Commissioners acknowledged the scope of need and the limits of federal funding. One commissioner observed that units affordable at the extreme‑low income level (30% of median family income) are scarce in the county and that the $885/month figure for that income level is “very striking.” Wilson confirmed that units at that price point are typically available only in regulated affordable housing or through subsidy.
The board asked about timing and HUD submission deadlines. Wilson said the plan submission target is May 15 but noted that federal appropriations and continuing resolutions could affect final allocations; the county will submit once actual allocation amounts are received.
Following the presentation and public comment opportunities, the board voted to approve the consolidated plan and 2025 action plan and authorized Chair Harrington to execute and submit the documents. The motion passed unanimously, 5 to 0.
