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Corvallis housing liaison briefs commissioners on local affordable supply and tools
Summary
City of Corvallis housing manager Brigitte Olson told the Board Benton County about local and state housing shortfalls, ongoing affordable developments (50 Third Flats, Rivergreen Landing, 47-unit supportive housing), and tools the city uses to leverage state and federal financing.
Brigitte Olson, housing and neighborhood services manager for the City of Corvallis, briefed the Benton County Board of Commissioners on local housing production and affordability challenges during the July 9 meeting.
Olson said Oregon has underbuilt by tens of thousands of units and that Governor‑level goals are pushing cities to boost production; she told the commissioners the state’s target equates to roughly 36,000 homes annually for the next decade. Locally, Olson identified several projects in development or recently completed: 50 Third Flats (recently leased units), Rivergreen Landing (in early application), Wake Robin/Third (84 units, leasing), and a 47‑unit permanent supportive housing project managed by Corvallis Housing First that she said should be ready in late 2025 or early 2026.
Olson described the city’s role as facilitator rather than developer: the city uses tools such as the construction excise tax, HOME and Community Development Block Grant funds, low‑income housing tax credits, and property tax exemptions to help projects “pencil” financially and achieve long‑term affordability (typically 60 years under agreements).
Commissioners asked about data beyond city boundaries; Olson pointed to Oregon Housing and Community Services dashboards for countywide production numbers and offered to serve as a liaison for neighboring jurisdictions. Chair Zanno Giraud thanked Olson for the update and noted the county’s planning and comprehensive plan updates as venues for regional coordination.
What’s next: County staff said they will continue regional conversations and integrate relevant data into comprehensive‑plan work and housing subcommittee updates.
