Council approves preservation funding for John Day mobile home park and $23.7M for Mountain View PSH

Amy Cole, assistant director of development resources at OHCS, presented two ORCA development recommendations at the March 6 meeting and the council voted to approve staff’s recommendations.

The first project is John Day Village Mobile Home Park (25 spaces) in Clatsop County (Astoria area), sponsored by Oregon Affordable Communities (OAK). Cole said the request is for $1,300,000 in manufactured-dwelling-park preservation funding and associated Oregon affordable housing tax credits to pair with a permanent loan. Tom Kemper, founder and chair of Oregon Affordable Communities, urged approval, saying the acquisition would enable infrastructure upgrades (including septic work) and preserve affordability for long-term residents: "I urge your approval of this recommendation," Kemper said.

The second project, Mountain View Community Village in Redmond (Deschutes County), is a 75-unit permanent supportive housing project requesting about $23,700,000 in PSH capital funding. Cole noted partner agreements for translation and BIPOC-owned property management; Council members commended the project as a strong PSH model. Council member Willard called it "what a PSH project should look like."

Council member Mena moved to approve the ORCA recommendations and Council member Willard seconded; Shiloah called the roll and the motion passed with council members recorded as "Yes." If approved through underwriting and financial eligibility, projects will receive letters of intent and have six months to complete financial-eligibility requirements before moving to commitment.