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Council prioritizes DevNW proposal for HOME‑ARP funds, authorizes property transfer for development
Summary
Councilors recommended both HOME‑ARP proposals for funding but prioritized DevNW’s Laura Apartments; the council also authorized the city manager to transfer the city‑owned property at 1577 Laura Street to the applicant chosen by the HOME governing board.
Springfield city councilors recommended two competing proposals for HOME‑ARP funding and authorized transfer of a city‑owned property for development of income‑qualified rental housing, prioritizing DevNW’s Laura Apartments proposal.
Katie Carroll and Aaron Fifield summarized the HOME‑ARP process and explained that Eugene administers the HOME‑ARP Request for Proposals on behalf of the Eugene‑Springfield HOME Consortium. The consortium allocated HOME‑ARP funds for development and supportive services for priority populations; Springfield paired one city‑owned parcel — 1577 Laura Street — with HOME‑ARP funds to support a small, site‑specific project.
Two proposals responded to the RFP. DevNW (a HUD‑designated CHDO) proposed three attached two‑story, three‑bedroom units aimed at survivors of domestic violence, with supportive services provided by Hope and Safety Alliance. Porch House LLC proposed a five‑unit cottage cluster of mostly one‑bedroom units to serve people living with HIV/AIDS, with supportive services provided by HIV Alliance; Porch House would include four on‑site parking spaces and two ADA‑accessible units and proposed directing $200,000 of HOME‑ARP funds to supportive services.
An evaluation committee that included city and community representatives reviewed applications and scored both proposals as suitable for funding; DevNW scored slightly higher based on organizational experience. Councilors discussed unit sizes, target populations and neighborhood fit. Several councilors said both projects met program goals and should advance; a majority favored DevNW’s family‑oriented proposal.
Councilor Corey Rodley moved to recommend both projects for HOME‑ARP funding to the HOME governing board, with priority for DevNW’s Laura Apartments proposal; the motion passed on a recorded vote. Council also moved and approved authorization for the city manager to negotiate and execute documents to transfer the city property at 1577 Laura Street to whichever applicant is awarded HOME‑ARP funds by the governing board. Staff said the city would not transfer the land until Eugene closes on HOME‑ARP funding and HUD requirements are met.
The transfer agreement with Lane County requires a 20‑year affordability term for any development on the site. If the prioritized proposal cannot satisfy federal requirements or otherwise becomes nonviable, the governing board has flexibility to fund the other proposal.
