|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2018
CONTACT:
Ariel Nelson
Government Relations and Communications Liaison
Oregon Housing and Community Services
503-949-0201,
Ariel.Nelson@oregon.gov
State funds new affordable homes for Oregon veterans
SALEM, OR - Oregon Housing and Community Services is excited to announce the award of $8,881,188 to fund the development of 71 new affordable homes for Oregon veterans. These awards will bring much-needed housing stability to formerly homeless veterans and their families through developments planned in North Bend, Klamath Falls, Oregon City, and NE Portland.
"This new award demonstrates, once again, how strong partnerships and creative leveraging of resources can make a huge impact in critical areas for our veterans and their families," said Mitch Sparks, Acting Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. "We are grateful to Oregon Housing and Community Services, the Governor and our legislative partners for their efforts to ensure that every veteran facing homelessness or a mental health crisis has the resources and care they need to get back on their feet."
These awards are largely supported by funding from the document recording fee - Oregon's only ongoing, stable funding dedicated to the full spectrum of affordable housing and homeless services. Two developments, in Klamath Falls and North Bend, will also leverage funding dedicated by the 2015 Legislature to provide housing for populations with serious mental illness or substance use disorders.
"Our veterans have bravely served our country and we owe it to them to ensure they have a safe and stable place to call home," Governor Brown said. "This legislative session, via House Bill 4007, we have an opportunity to expand the critical resources of the document recording fee, and the chance to make a difference in the lives of hundreds more of our veterans."
"We must have an ongoing, dedicated funding source if we are going to plan ahead to better meet and anticipate housing needs across the state," said Margaret Salazar, Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services. "Expanding the document recording fee would allow OHCS to bring housing opportunity back into reach for Oregonians."
|