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Housing Authority reports $100M-plus portfolio rehab, preserves nearly 600 affordable units
Summary
Housing Authority of Washington County presented a status update on a multi‑phase preservation effort that rehabilitated 10 properties, preserved 592 regulated units and used 4% low‑income housing tax credits, commercial debt and private activity bonds to complete two financing closings.
The Housing Authority of Washington County updated its board April 1 on a multi‑year, two‑phase renovation that converted 10 authority‑owned properties into two low‑income housing tax credit partnerships and rehabilitated hundreds of apartments.
Executive Director Molly Rogers told the Housing Authority Board of Directors the project addressed ‘‘urgent’’ capital needs in buildings built in the 1960s–1980s and created financial and construction efficiencies by combining sites into larger tax‑credit partnerships. ‘‘Preservation remains a key strategy for the Housing Authority,’’ Rogers said.
Assistant Director Jill Chen said the authority closed Phase 1 in June 2022 and Phase 2 in December 2023 and expected construction completion for Phase 2 in mid‑2025. Chen said total construction costs exceeded $100 million and that the authority repaid about $26.7 million to the county as part of the restructuring. She attributed the financing deal to combining 4% low‑income housing tax credits with commercial debt; Chase served as lender and Fannie Mae as equity investor.
Matt Chantry of Bronner and Company, the development consultant on the work, presented before‑and‑after photos showing deep rehabilitation at multiple sites. ‘‘Renovation took some buildings down to the studs and rebuilt them,’’ Chantry said, listing new siding, windows, roofing, rebuilt decks, accessibility upgrades and interior finishes such as cabinets and flooring.
Lisa Baron, the authority’s real estate division manager, and other staff said the work addressed fire/life‑safety and ADA compliance, replaced major systems (roofing, sewer lines, siding, windows) and improved energy efficiency. Baron said the authority stabilized occupancy in renovated sites at roughly 93–97 percent and added long‑term affordability restrictions to all 10 properties.
Board members and the public praised the work. Director Schneider, who said he observed nearby sites frequently during construction, told staff, ‘‘Let’s not let it get that way again’’ — urging the authority to set up systems to avoid returning to poor conditions in future asset cycles. Resident Dale Fick spoke during public comment to congratulate staff and thanked the board for preserving access to transportation and services near Forest Grove.
The presentation noted remaining countywide challenges: the authority expects more than 1,000 units in Washington County to reach the end of their affordability restrictions over the next 10 years, and it described the current program as one part of a broader preservation strategy.
Staff said next steps include converting Phase 1 projects to permanent operations this quarter, finishing Phase 2 construction later in 2025, and a planned public celebration in September.
Rogers and staff credited Bronner and Company for coordinating construction while occupied, and highlighted cooperation with county permitting staff that helped the program close financial gaps after an October 2022 fire damaged one building during construction.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation itself; the item was an informational status report.
Ending: Housing Authority staff requested the board’s continued oversight as the authority finishes construction and converts projects to permanent operations later this year. A public celebration is planned for September 2025 to mark the portfolio preservation work.
