Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Astoria adopts Housing Initiative and Community Resiliency programs to spur mid-housing
Summary
The council adopted a Housing Initiative Program and Community Resiliency Program using Fund 140 to offer low-interest loans (typical $100,000) and resiliency grants; council directed staff to bring a resolution renaming Fund 140 and emphasized deed restrictions as a tool to preserve workforce units.
The Astoria City Council voted Oct. 20 to adopt the Housing Initiative Program (HIP) and a complementary Community Resiliency Program aimed at leveraging roughly $500,000 in one-time funds in Fund 140 to encourage housing development and support critical nonprofits.
City Manager Spence described the program presented at a Sept. 29 work session: a $100,000 low-interest loan product aimed at mid-housing types — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters and multifamily projects — and a $100,000 set-aside for community resiliency grants with anticipated awards of about $20,000 requiring a 1-for-1 match. Spence said the program is intended to provide gap financing for items such as system development charges (SDCs) or infrastructure to help projects “pencil out.” He noted council could forgive portions of loans or award more than $100,000 for projects meeting preferred characteristics.
Councilors asked who would apply. Spence gave Coblin Commons as a local example that could have sought gap financing and stressed that staff would market the program to prospective developers and property owners. He also reiterated that renovation projects are eligible, including improvements for ADA access or required sprinklers, though Astoria Development Commission properties are excluded.
Public commenters raised concerns about prior waterfront development that had been described as workforce housing but later rented at market rates. Lisa Morley (Aldenbrook Neighborhood) asked which entity enforces deed restrictions and whether deed restrictions would remain binding on subsequent owners; Spence said deed restrictions or development agreements could be used and noted that if the city provides public funds, it may attach restrictions similar to HUD or CDBG models (e.g., 20–40 years). Spence also said the council defined workforce housing for program purposes as 60–100% of area AMI.
Councilor Lampe moved to adopt the Housing Initiative and Community Resiliency programs and to direct staff to bring a resolution to change Fund 140’s name; the motion passed on an affirmative vote.
Next steps: staff will prepare a resolution to rename Fund 140, develop application materials that reference potential property restrictions and preferred characteristics, and return to council with program details and marketing plans.
