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County approves $42.3 million in capital awards for transitional housing and an access center
Summary
Washington County approved $42,302,051 in capital awards to fund two transitional housing projects and one access center, adding roughly 119 transitional beds and an access center in Cornelius; awards are contingent on a pending Metro referral and potential funding changes.
Washington County commissioners on Dec. 3 approved $42,302,051 in capital awards to build and rehabilitate transitional housing and to construct an access center intended to expand short‑term shelter and connection services for people experiencing homelessness.
Jess Larson, assistant director in the Department of Housing Services, told commissioners the awards come from one‑time carryover balances for the county's voter‑approved supportive housing services. "There is a remaining balance of $96,000,000 which is represented here in the pie chart of one‑time investments," Larson said, underscoring that the board had previously earmarked funds for capital infrastructure.
Jesse Adams, strategic projects coordinator, described the competitive NOFO process and the recommended awards. Two transitional housing projects were recommended: Transcending Hope (new construction in Hillsboro to expand from 7 to 39 stabilization units; staff reported the applicant requested a little over $8,000,000) and Central City Concern (rehabilitation of an existing hotel in unincorporated Washington County to produce 80–90 recovery‑focused transitional units; staff reported the organization requested a little over $29,000,000). Open Door applied for and was recommended for a Western Washington County access center, requesting $5,000,000 to build on a previously purchased lot in Cornelius.
Adams said the two transitional projects and the access center would add about 119 transitional housing beds to the county's homelessness system. "Total that would leave us with 119 transitional housing beds added to our homelessness system," Adams said. Larson and Adams noted award language will include contingencies tied to any pending Metro referral and reductions to ongoing resources that could affect operating funding.
Commissioners moved to approve the two NOFO capital awards and the access center award, including the contingency language; the motion passed unanimously, 5–0. County staff said they will proceed to contract negotiations with the awardees.
What the award covers and next steps The board and staff emphasized these are capital awards intended to create physical capacity (new construction and rehabilitation) while operating costs must be funded separately from ongoing system revenues. Staff said they will negotiate contracts with the awardees and condition awards on any external referrals or budget changes that materially affect long‑term operating funds.
Local partners present Representatives from the recommended organizations were in the meeting room; staff noted the projects had been screened for feasibility, programming capacity and geographic equity during a layered review process that included external community partners and DHS leadership.
The board's action memorialized the recommended awards but left final contract execution and any funding contingencies to follow later in the implementation process.
