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Council hears progress on affordable-housing procurements, Hillside and stabilization center; staff to seek exclusive negotiations for Northwest site
Summary
Staff told the council a top-scoring applicant was identified for the Northwest affordable housing site and that staff will seek direction to enter exclusive negotiations. Councilors also highlighted Hillside Park openings, a potential Business Oregon infrastructure grant application and ongoing county coordination on a stabilization center.
City staff updated the council on housing actions underway and what’s on the near-term forecast.
On procurement for a northwest-site affordable housing project (described in the packet), staff said they received three applications, the highest-scoring respondent proposed about 22 units and uses a land-trust model with developer experience in managing affordable units. Staff said they will return with a proposed action asking the council to "direct staff to have exclusive negotiations and develop the agreement between the two parties" in a future meeting.
"We had 25 people come to our pre-bid required meeting, which I think kind of floored us," Emma said, noting strong interest in the site despite constraints. Councilors praised staff outreach and noted DevNW's experience on difficult sites as a confidence factor.
Staff also discussed Hillside Park and other openings that add affordable units to the city's inventory. Councilors said the stabilization center — a county-run project where the city negotiated a good-neighbor agreement — has required a large staff lift and ongoing intergovernmental coordination; staff report biweekly meetings with county teams and periodic operational updates to the city.
Funding and grants: staff flagged a potential Business Oregon infrastructure grant that would require the jurisdiction as the applicant and might reimburse grant administration costs to a partner developer; councilors discussed application timing and noted the program's next tranche and competitive timing. Staff indicated there will be a council vote or position needed around Dec. 16 to proceed on related items.
Policy and code work: councilors and staff discussed tenant screening fee limits (work session held, research ongoing), land-banking follow-ups, and continued work on ADU/SWC policy questions including SDC-waiver considerations for ADUs and exploration of modular or manufactured housing models to lower costs.
Council direction and next steps: staff will return with the exclusive-negotiations request for the Northwest site, continue work on Hillside and project-related grants, program land-banking and HPS items on the forecaster and bring back more detailed ADU/SDC analysis during early 2026 forecasting and budget conversations.
