Housing Stability Council - Oregon · Housing Stability Council ... Geller and Sandoval joined the meeting by phone. Public Comment . ... 2017 meeting notes. Hearing none

Housing Stability Council MEETING MATERIALS PACKET

Sierra Vista Apartments

Ontario Oregon

January 5, 2018 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Oregon Housing & Community Services Conference Room 124 A/B

Salem, Oregon 97301

Oregon Governor Kate Brown

Housing Stability Council Oregon Housing and Community Services

725 Summer St. NE, Suite B

Salem OR 97301-1266 PHONE: 503-986-2000

FAX: 503-986-2020

TTY: 503-986-2100

Council Members: Aubre L. Dickson, Chair Tammy Baney

Michael C. Fieldman

Anna Geller Zee D. Koza

Gerardo F. Sandoval, PhD

Latricia Tillman Adolph “Val” Valfre, Jr.

Charles Wilhoite

TIME TOPIC MOTION ACTION

1. 9:00 Meeting Called to Order Roll Call

Call Roll

2. 9:05 Public Comment Comment

3. 9:15 Meeting Minute Approval (pages 3-16) December 1, 2017

Approval

4. 9:20 Single Family Section (pages 17-22) Kim Freeman, Single Family Section Manager

DPA Program update

Update

5. 9:35 Housing Finance Updates (pages 23-30) Julie Cody, Assistant Director, Housing Finance

4% LIHTC/Gap Funding Parameters Decision – Tai Dunson-Strane, LIHTC Tax Program Manager Housing Plus Development Project Approval – Ryan Miller, Asset Management & Compliance Section Manager - Tilikum Apartments

Approvals

6. 10:15 Housing Stabilization Updates (pages 31-49) Claire Seguin, Assistant Director, Housing Stabilization

Veteran’s Homeless Framework Decision - Marilyn Miller, Homeless Services Section Manager Rent Guarantee Program Decision – Ariel Nelson, Government Relations & Communication Liaison

Approvals

7. 10:45 2019-21 Budget & Legislative Concepts Process Discussion (pages 51-53) Caleb Yant, CFO & Kenny LaPoint, Assistant Director, Public Affairs

Briefing

8. 11:15 BREAK

9. 11:30 Retreat Pre-work with Solid Ground (pages 55-65) Workgroup

10. 12:30 Report of the Director Report

11. 12:45 Report of the Chair Report

12. Meeting Adjourned

All times listed on this agenda are approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may also be taken out of order and addressed at different times than listed. The agenda may be amended by the Council at the time of the meeting.

AGENDA January 5, 2018

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Oregon Housing and Community Services, Room 124 A&B

725 Summer St NE, Salem OR 97301 Call-In: 1-877-273-4202; Participant Code: 4978330

January 5, 2018 Housing Stability Council Page 1



Oregon Housing Stability Council Oregon Housing and Community Services

725 Summer St. NE, Suite B

Salem OR 97301-1266

PHONE: 503-986-2000 FAX: 503-986-2020

TTY: 503-986-2100

December 1, 2017

Oregon Housing Stability Council Meeting Minutes

Chair Dickson called the meeting to order at approximately 9:02 am and asked for the roll call:

Council member Present Excused By Phone

Tammy Baney X*

Mike Fieldman X

Anna Geller X*

Zee Koza X

Gerardo Sandoval X*

Latricia Tillman X

Acting Chair Adolph “Val” Valfre X

Charles Wilhoite X

Aubré Dickson X

*Councilmembers Baney, Geller and Sandoval joined the meeting by phone.

Public Comment

Chair Dickson opened the public comment section and invited those in the room who wished to provide

comment to step forward to the table. He asked those offering testimony to state their name and

organization for the record.

Emily Schelling, Director of Asset Management & Initiatives, at the Housing Development Center. Ms.

Schelling wanted to provide some testimony about the 4% LIHTC/Gap Funding Parameters discussion.

She told the Council that she and her colleagues are thrilled with the leadership OHCS is taking in

addressing preservation issues. She also offered her thanks to OHCS for soliciting their feedback in this

process. She believes this process is an important step forward in preserving housing in Oregon. She

also expressed her pleasure with the emphasis on the physical condition of properties in the scoring

threshold. She and her colleagues believe that properties with physical needs and life/safety issues

should be prioritized for this funding. She and her colleagues are concerned that the scoring may

discourage some projects from applying because they are less than 20 years through their affordability

period; the very projects most at risk. Ms. Schelling also stated that the first-come, first-served approach

does not necessarily screen for the highest need, nor is it the best approach for allocating these

resources. Further she and her colleagues would like to see future preservation funding opportunities

that are not tied to 4% tax credits or the private activity bond transactions. They believe that small rural

projects would be able to better compete for the funds. Ms. Schelling concluded her comments by

offering her appreciation to the Council and OHCS for the work they are doing to ensure the best use of

public resources.

Chair Dickson called for additional comments from the room, hearing none, he then called for any

comments from the phone.


December 1, 2017


Steve Ochs, Real Estate Development Director, with the Housing and Community Services Agency of

Lane County (HACSA). Mr. Ochs also offered some comments on the 4% LIHTC/Gap Funding

Parameters discussion. He also referenced a written comment he submitted on 11/30/2017 as seen

below.

He provided a summary of the above written comments. Mr. Ochs said their concern with the current

structure is that it does not allow enough flexibility in the threshold issues to allow community-wide

projects that are not in the metro area to get past the threshold. He also expressed concern for those

projects that are not at least 20 years through their affordability would not be able to apply. He offered

this thanks to the Council for their consideration.

Chair Dickson called for additional comments, hearing none, he closed the period for public comment.


December 1, 2017


Approval of November 3 2017 Meeting Minutes:

Chair Dickson asked for comments/corrections for the November 3, 2017 meeting notes. Hearing none

he then asked for the motion.

Councilmember Koza moved to accept the November 3, 2017 meeting minutes as presented and

Councilmember Tillman seconded the motion. Chair Dickson called for the vote:

November 3, 2017

Council member Motion Yes No Abstain Excused Tammy Baney X

Mike Fieldman X

Anna Geller X

Zee Koza X X

Gerardo Sandoval X

Latricia Tillman 2nd

X

Acting Chair, Adolph “Val” Valfre X

Charles Wilhoite X

Aubré Dickson X

Vote: 6:0:0:3 | PASS

Single Family Consent Calendar for Approval – Kim Freeman, Single Family Section Manager

Ms. Freeman provided an overview of the one loan up for approval before the Council today. You may

reference pages 15-16 in the meeting materials packet. Ms. Freeman reminded the Council that the

reason there was only one loan up for approval today was because of the recent rule change they

approved in September of 2017. Chair Dickson called for any questions, hearing none, he then called

for the motion which can be found on page 15 of the meeting material packet.

Councilmember Koza moved to approve the consent calendar and Councilmember Tillman seconded the

motion. Chair Dickson called for the vote:

Residential Loan Consent Calendar:


Mike Fieldman X

Anna Geller X

Zee Koza X X

Gerardo Sandoval X

Latricia Tillman 2nd

X

Acting Chair, Adolph “Val” Valfre X

Charles Wilhoite X

Aubré Dickson X


Director Salazar then took a moment to highlight the work of the Single Family Section for 2017. The

goal for the SF section was to have loan production of $80 million dollars. To date the SF section has

authorized 605 loans for a total of $126.7 million dollars, which is 158% of the expected production for

the calendar year. She then thanked the SF and Debt management teams for all of their hard work on the

program this year.

Multifamily Funding Decisions – Casey Bauman, Underwriting Section Manager


December 1, 2017


Victorian Inn & Mayfield Court Apartments – Brad Lawrence, Loan Officer

Mr. Lawrence provided an overview of the summary for the Victorian Inn and Mayfield Court

Apartments. Please reference pages 17-21 in the meeting materials packet.

Chair Dickson invited Stephen McMurtrey, Housing Development Director and Nikolai Ursin, Housing

Developer with Northwest Housing Alternatives forward to address the Council. Mr. McMurtrey

thanked the staff and the Council for their consideration of these projects; they are thrilled to move this

project forward.

Chair Dickson called for questions from the Council. Councilmember Koza voiced her appreciation for

the robust resident services included with this project.

Bond Recommended Motion: Move to approve Pass Through Revenue Bond Financing in an amount

up to and not to exceed $9,500,000 to Victorian Mayfield Revitalization Limited Partnership for the

acquisition and rehabilitation of The Victorian Inn and Mayfield Court Apartments, subject to the

borrower meeting OHCS, Umpqua Bank, Network for Oregon Affordable Housing, and Raymond

James Tax Credit Funds, Inc. underwriting and closing criteria, documentation satisfactory to legal

counsel and Treasurer approval of the bond sale.

Chair Dickson then called for the motion found on page 17 of the meeting materials packet.

Councilmember Tillman made the motion and Councilmember Geller seconded the motion. Chair

Dickson then called for the vote.

Victorian Inn & Mayfield Court Apartments Conduit bond approval:


Mike Fieldman X

Anna Geller 2nd

X

Zee Koza X

Gerardo Sandoval X

Latricia Tillman X X

Adolph “Val” Valfre X

Charles Wilhoite X

Chair Aubré Dickson X


Chair Dickson then asked about the project that was withdrawn at the request of the sponsor. Mr.

Baumann told the Council that the sponsor determined that the site being considered for the project was

not acceptable. He told the Council that the sponsor was still looking to find a viable site and they are

hoping to bring the project back for consideration at a later date.

Multifamily Energy Program Recommendations for Approval – Tim Zimmer, Energy Services

Manager & Dan Elliott, Senior Policy Analyst, Energy Services

Mr. Zimmer informed the Council the plan for today was to provide an overview of the changes and

updates made in response to Council suggestions made at the November meeting. Mr. Elliott then

provided a summary of the updates/changes for the Council. You may reference pages 25-28 in the

meeting materials packet for additional details. Mr. Elliott thanked the Council for their input to the

program design.


December 1, 2017


Chair Dickson then asked for questions from the Council. Chair Dickson thanked Mr. Zimmer and Mr.

Elliott for responding to the questions posed by the Council at the November meeting. Councilmember

Tillman thanked the team for their thoughtful response to her inquiry about culturally specific

approaches. She did say she would like to see NAYA (Native American Youth and Family Center)

included in the list. She also appreciated the thoughtful response to her questions/concerns about

partnerships with health programs as outlined in topic three in the memo.

Motion: HSC approves the Multifamily Energy Program Design.

Chair Dickson then called for the motion found on page 25 of the meeting materials packet.

Councilmember Baney made the motion and Councilmember Koza seconded the motion. Chair Dickson

then called for the vote.

Multifamily Energy Program Design approval:

Council member Motion Yes No Abstain Excused Tammy Baney X X

Mike Fieldman X

Anna Geller X

Zee Koza 2nd

X

Gerardo Sandoval X

Latricia Tillman X


Charles Wilhoite X



Director Salazar took a moment to thank the Energy Services team for their hard work on the program

design. She appreciates their dedication.

To prepare for the next segment of the agenda Chair Dickson adjourned the meeting for 5 minutes at

approximately 9:32 a.m.

Chair Dickson reconvened the meeting at approximately 9:38 a.m.

Veteran Program Updates – Kenny LaPoint, Assistant Director, Public Affairs & Kim Freeman,

Single Family Section Manager

Vets RFA Awardees Summary – Kim Freeman, Single Family Section Manager

Ms. Freeman provided a summary of the Veterans RFA awardees. You can find additional details on pages 29-32

of the meeting materials packet.

Chair Dickson told Ms. Freeman that he liked what he saw with regards to the geographic distribution of the

awards. He then asked when the funds would be released. Ms. Freeman told the Council that she anticipates the

funds being sent out within the next week.

Councilmember Geller told Ms. Freeman that she appreciated the willingness she displayed to reach out to those

that did not get funding this round.

Councilmember Tillman asked Ms. Freeman if she knew how many projects were being planned or how many

veterans would be served. Ms. Freeman told the Council that she does have those numbers and will send them out

post meeting. She also told the Council that she would come back to report on the outcomes in 2018.


December 1, 2017


Councilmember Sandoval asked about the $150,000 amount; does the agency set this limit? Ms. Freeman told the

Council that they did set the limit. Director Salazar asked Ms. Freeman to elaborate on how the RFA program

design and dollar amounts were set. Ms. Freeman informed the Council that the aim was to help as many people

as possible with the $1.5 million. The team felt that they could help more people by having the $150,000 limit.

She is very happy to adjust this in the future if the Council would like to do that. She also told the Council that the

agency did not set a limit per household. Councilmember Tillman said it would be interesting to see the report to

know where and how the funds were utilized. Director Salazar asked Ms. Freeman to tell the Council about the

application time frame. Ms. Freeman told the Council that the time frame was originally set at 18 months, but the

time frame has been shortened due to the amount of time it took the DOJ to approve the RFA. Ms. Freeman has

sent out communication to the grantees to let them know that the agency has the ability to extend the timing on a

case-by-case basis upon request.

Veterans Homeless Framework Discussion – Marilyn Miller, Homeless Services Manager & Sheronne

Blasi, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Assistant Director LaPoint provided a brief introduction for the Council. He summarized a previous presentation

this past summer when he gave an overview of the funds OHCS was expecting to receive from the legislature and

the work that OHCS had already been doing in alignment with the Governor’s office.

Ms. Miller then summarized the Veterans Homeless Framework which can be found in the meeting materials

packet on pages 33-34.

Assistant Director LaPoint then informed the Council that the framework was in draft form now and OHCS plans

to continue working with ODVA including the representatives from LFO for both agencies to determine the best

way to utilize the funds and support the work going forward. In particular the idea of having a Housing Integrator

who would be focused on Veterans issues; more to come on this at a later date.

Assistant Director LaPoint then invited Sheronne Blasi from Oregon Veterans Affairs to provide a summary of

the work from the ODVA perspective for the Council. Ms. Blasi told the Council she was excited to be here to

support the work being done on this initiative. She told the Council she appreciates the partnership that has been

developed between the two agencies over the past several years. ODVA is excited to focus in on the Governor’s

Initiative to end Veteran Homelessness. Ms. Blasi told the Council that ODVA is also in support of having an

Integrator that is focused on Veterans issues. She believes this role could further enhance the community

collaboration that has already begun around Veteran issues.

Ms. Blasi also told the Council that she was hopeful that ODVA and OHCS could also collaborate with OHA to

address Veteran issues in the future.

Chair Dickson asked if there was a summary of what funds had been spent on and what the impact was of those

expenditures. Ms. Miller told the Council that she has a summary of the projected use of funds and she would be

happy to send that along to the Council. She also told the Council that so far she has only one quarter’s worth of

data on the expenditure of funds. She then offered to come back at the conclusion of the second quarter and give

the Council an update on the fund expenditures.

Chair Dickson asked the Council for additional questions.

Councilmember Tillman said she thinks it is exciting when a goal is to “end” something. It is bold and ambitious

and laudable. She then asked if the registry was state-wide. Assistant Director LaPoint told the Council that the

registry was not happening right now and the proposal has ten communities that would receive technical

assistance and assistance with setting up a “by-name” registry with the funds. With the amount of money received

the “by-name” registry will not be a state-wide effort at this time. Director Salazar then told the Council the


December 1, 2017


agencies she knows of that currently have a “by-name” registry are Portland/Multnomah County and Lane

County. Ms. Miller then told the Council that the communities that are being targeted are those with existing

Continuums of Care in place. Assistant Director LaPoint then told the Council that OHCS has been working to

leverage the successful work being done on a “by-name” registry in Virginia and Connecticut.

Councilmember Tillman then asked if staff had a percentage of Veterans that are currently homeless and what is

the gap staff is working to close. Assistant Director LaPoint told the Council that the agency has access to point-

in-time count information which is done annually in January. Currently there are 13,000 homeless in the state of

Oregon, and over 1300 are chronically homeless Veterans.

Ms. Blasi then told the Council that ODVA has data which shows that over 700 Veterans are unsheltered at any

point in time. She also told the Council that the fastest growing segment of Veterans and homeless Veterans are

women. Assistant Director LaPoint then told the Council that the agency has the Oregon point-in-time count on

the website; please click here for access to this data.

Councilmember Sandoval asked what role the Federal VA is playing in the strategies being utilized by OHCS.

Ms. Miller told the Council that the governing body is USICH (US Interagency Council on Homelessness) and

the state would have to meet the set USICH benchmarks for success in ending homelessness in Oregon. Director

Salazar then elaborated on the Federal VA role. There are specific services that flow through the VA on the

initiative to end Veteran homelessness. Some examples of the partnership with local housing authorities are: The

VASH program and the SSVF program. OHCS is working to stitch together all of the Federal resources with the

state resources. The plan is to stand up the steering committee and then come back and provide a progress update

to the Council. Councilmember Sandoval said he believes it is critical that OHCS collaborate with other agencies

to deliver a complete solution for Veterans. Ms. Blasi then told the Council that ODVA works very hard to get

Veterans into housing and then to receive all of the benefits and services they are eligible to receive.

Chair Dickson thanked them for their presentation and said he looked forward to the quarterly report to showcase

the results.

Chair Dickson then adjourned the meeting for a short break at approximately 10:17 a.m.

Chair Dickson reconvened the meeting at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Housing Finance Updates – Julie Cody, Assistant Director, Housing Finance & Tai Dunson-Strane,

LIHTC Tax Program Manager

Assistant Director Cody introduced herself to the Council and then provided an overview of the

presentations on the agenda for the meeting. In reference to the 4% LIHTC/Gap Funding Parameters,

Assistant Director Cody told the Council that the presentation up for consideration today incorporates

the suggestions received from Council at the November meeting. She informed the Council that the

agency is seeking further input and suggestions from them and that the item would come back for

approval at the January meeting. In reference to the Potential Federal Tax Reform impacts, Assistant

Director Cody told the Council she would be providing a summary of the impacts in 2017 and beyond.

She also told the Council she would be updating them on the LIFT 2.0 program.

4% LIHTC/Gap Funding Parameters Discussion –

Mr. Dunson-Strane introduced himself to the Council. He then thanked those who had provided

comments and suggestions and then gave a summary of the memo which can be found on pages 35-37

of the meeting materials packet.


http://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/research-point-in-time-homeless-count-in-oregon.aspx

December 1, 2017


Councilmember Geller complimented staff on keeping the parameters easy to understand. She especially

likes the focus statement at the head of the table. She asked if the parameters were for gap funding only.

Assistant Director Cody told the Council that the parameters were for gap funding only. Councilmember

Geller then asked if the HUD website given in the table is used to determine difficult to develop areas.

Director Salazar told the Council that she believes that the site given in the parameters is different and

was developed for use as a tool by Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Councilmember Geller then

suggested that the agency figure out a way to reward points without over-rewarding the use of mixed

income in family projects. She further stated that she thought this proposal was “dang good”.

Assistant Director Cody told the Council that the staff would be taking into consideration the comments

given today during the public comment section of the meeting and those provided previously to the

meeting. She also informed the Council that the aim of the proposal for preservation projects was to help

those projects that were most at risk. Director Salazar further explained that most of the criteria were

focused on the physical condition of the properties but that the agency also believes that one criterion

should be tied to the project affordability period.

Councilmember Tillman asked staff to address and explain the first-come, first-served approach for

awarding funds. Assistant Director Cody told the Council the 4% Tax credit program which this gap

funding is tied to is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis now and the air was to keep this proposal

as uncomplicated as possible. OHCS was not anticipating that this process would be a full-blown NOFA

process, but could do that in the future if that is what the Council wanted. Director Salazar added that

the agency would allow for enough lead-time for applicants to successfully submit their applications.

The plan is the have the application window open for a designated period of time with a reasonable lead-

time. The agency has considered a rolling application process, but the staffing that would be needed to

make that a reality is just not available given the rest of the agency workload. Operationally this type of

application process does not make sense for the agency.

Councilmember Geller commended the staff for their work and the way in which they have gathered and

considered input from many contributors. Nice work!

Councilmember Baney also offered her thanks to staff for their hard work.

Chair Dickson then added in his thanks as well. He asked why the DCR of 1.10 was used in the bonus

point section; because his experience shows that a project with a DCR of 1.10 is not necessarily on a

watch list or in trouble. Assistant Director Cody thanked him for his comments and told the Council that

staff now has a watch list and that measure may be a better way to measure for the bonus points.

Chair Dickson then revealed the “elephant in the room”: What happens if we get unfavorable news on

the Federal tax reform front and how does that news impact this proposal.

Assistant Director Cody told the Council that the agency was remaining optimistic, but we will now talk

about the potential impacts now. Director Salazar told the Council that the agency does not have a plan

B for this program design, but we will be back. The plan is to put this fund offering out as

simultaneously as possible with the 9% LIHTC and HOME NOFA to give our partners a view to the

number of doors through which they can come and possibly receive funding. Our plan is to bring a

framework back to the Council in January for approval so that we can release the funds concurrently.


December 1, 2017


Councilmember Geller told Director Salazar and Assistant Director Cody the approach they were using

to address the Federal tax reform was absolutely the correct.

Potential Impacts of Anticipated Federal Tax Reform Bills –

Assistant Director Cody told the Council that the agency was working hard to keep up on the changes as

they happen with the goal of being in the best position to respond to changes. Staff is watching the fate

of Private Activity Bonds very closely. Currently both the House and Senate bills retain the 9% LIHTC

program.

The Housing Finance staff has sent out communications to the project sponsors that may be impacted by

changes to the Federal tax. We are asking those projects to consider expediting and accelerating their

bonds to be fully executed by the end of the year to avoid the potential tax impacts. She informed the

Council that there was the potential for a mid-December phone meeting to approve any of the projects

that would be accelerating the execution of their bonds.

Assistant Director Cody also informed the Council there were a number of transactions in the pipeline

including LIFT funding and 4% LIHTC that are not scheduled to close by year-end. Some are trying to

close by year-end. She then informed the Council the tax changes could also impact the Single Family

residential loan program.

Assistant Director Cody then asked the Council if they would be willing to amend agency policy to

allow for other bond issuers. Notices have been sent to those deals in our pipeline to keep them in the

loop. The agency is watching the outcome at the Federal level very closely and will keep the Council

posted as the changes occur.

Councilmember Geller asked when the emergency meeting would be held. Assistant Director Cody told

the Council the plan was to have the meeting in mid-December. She offered to make herself available

for the meeting whenever it was scheduled. She believes it is important that we protect our partners if

we can against something that is not their fault. She then asked for clarification about the one-time

policy exception allowing other bond issuers for projects. Assistant Director Cody said that the

exception could be used if the other bond issuer could be faster to closing than OHCS to help our

partners update by year-end prior to any tax changes. Councilmember Geller then asked how many

projects could be impacted by the potential tax changes. Assistant Director Cody said there were ten

projects currently in draw-down with substantial draws left to fund and there are at least twelve other

projects that are not currently anticipated to close by year-end (this includes 4% deals and LIFT deals).

Director Salazar then asked Assistant Director Cody to tell the Council how many 4% transactions the

agency has closed so far in 2017. Assistant Director Cody told the Council the agency had closed ten 4%

transactions so far in 2017. The point of calling this out is to illustrate the herculean effort it would take

to close twelve additional 4% transactions before mid-December.

Councilmember Geller said, tongue-in-cheek: That would not happen. She then suggested it would be a

good idea to implement the one-time-only exception to help process as many of the outstanding

transactions as possible. She suggested that the Council consider implement a one-time only exception

to help with the processing of the transactions.


December 1, 2017


Chair Dickson asked Assistant Director Cody to create a motion for the Council to consider. Her motion

follows below.

Motion: The Housing Stability Council will allow a one-time only policy exception to allow for another

authorized bond issuer to provide tax-exempt conduit bond funding when paired with OHCS gap funds

during the 2017 year-end tax reform uncertainty.

Chair Dickson asked for the motion. Councilmember Geller made the motion and Councilmember Koza

seconded the motion.

One-time only Policy Exception:


Mike Fieldman X

Anna Geller X X

Zee Koza 2nd

X

Gerardo Sandoval X

Latricia Tillman X


Charles Wilhoite X



Assistant Director Cody then asked for Council input prior to the issuance of a technical advisory. The

topic is the LIFT rental program; can the funds be utilized for dedicated senior projects? Does the

council still want to preference family housing with no preference for dedicated senior housing?

Chair Dickson told Assistant Director Cody that he wanted the program to continue to reflect the

legislative intent of the program. And we should stay firm in that position. Councilmember Geller

agreed and believes the intent of the LIFT program was to provide housing for families. We need to

honor the original intent of the LIFT program. Assistant Director Cody then told the Council that the

agency would issue a technical advisory to update our partners on the intent of the LIFT program.

Chair Dickson suggested that the Council address the issue of housing for seniors in the future.

Multifamily & Asset Management Modernization and Consolidation (MAMMAC) – Michael Hill,

Senior Systems Analyst, Information Services

Director Salazar introduced the topic to the Council and reminded them that data management,

understanding your own inventory and customer service were some of the themes from the SOS state

performance audit from November 2016. This update is meant to update the Council on work being

done to address some aspects of the SOS audit.

Mr. Hill then provided a summary of the project for the Council. You can access the presentation on

pages 39-42 for additional details. Director Salazar then told the Council that when staff saw the demo

there was a collective gasp of excitement for our customer/user experience, having accurate inventory

information and complete project information available at the fingertips of the agency. By clicking here

you can access the ProLink Solutions website.


https://www.prolinksolutions.com/software-for-housing-finance-agencies/origination-with-prolinkhfa/

December 1, 2017


Chair Dickson then thanked Mr. Hill for the presentation. He believes that this project will please SOS

and more importantly have a positive impact for our partners.

Councilmember Geller asked about the customer feedback from other HFAs. Mr. Hill told the Council

that he and a few others from the agency attended a customer outreach event recently. The object of the

outreach event is to gather firsthand information from ProLink customers to inform updates/upgrades to

the system. Mr. Hill further told the Council that he spoke with other agency users of the ProLink

Solutions product and everyone he spoke to is very happy with ProLink Solutions. Mr. Dunson-Strane

was at the conference and he spoke with HFA users from Colorado and Virginia and they like the

ProLink Solutions product. They are happy because ProLink Solutions understands the business side and

the technology side of the equation. Councilmember Geller then asked how the records access

protections would be set up with the ProLink product. Mr. Hill told the Council part of the requirements

from our state CIO office is that the vendor has to provide access for a security audit (protections,

encryption and access controls are in place). Councilmember Geller also encouraged the agency to make

sure this new system will work with the public records requirements in Oregon. Director Salazar

thanked Councilmember Geller for her comments.

Councilmember Tillman asked what would be done with the historical data. Will the agency migrate the

data to the new system, archive it for historical purposes or something else? What is the plan? Mr. Hill

told the Council that the answer is that the agency will be doing a bit of it all. Some records will be

migrated to the new system; some will be archived for historical purposes.

Councilmember Koza said the presentation was worth waiting for. Chair Dickson thanked him for his

presentation and invited Marilyn Miller and Ariel Nelson to the table to give the Housing Stabilization

updates.

Housing Stabilization Updates –

Rent Guarantee Program – Ariel Nelson, Government Relations & Communications Liaison

Ms. Nelson updated the Council on the progress to date on the rule making for the rent guarantee

program. The rules advisory committee has now met two times and has reached consensus on creation

and administration of the program. Ms. Nelson will be back in January to present the temporary OAR

for review and approval by the Council.

Councilmember Tillman asked when the public comment period would be held for the OAR. Ms.

Nelson told the Council that the rules advisory meetings were public meetings and open for public

comment. The Council will approve the temporary rule and then Ms. Nelson will file the temporary rule

and then there will be a period of public comment with that filing. Temporary rules are valid for just

180 days.

IDA – Marilyn Miller, Homeless Services Manager

Ms. Miller told the Council that SOS had raised a concern over the non-issuance of RFA for the

administration of the IDA program. The agency is now in the process of revising OARs for this program

and developing a scope of work to go out for bid. The goal is to have the RFA ready by February 2018.


December 1, 2017


Report of the Director

Director Salazar provided the following updates:

Bill Signing with Governor Brown – The Governor signed HB 2002 (affordable housing preservation

bill) and HB 4912 (Land Acquisition program). Director Salazar had the privilege of attending both

signings.

RFI for Mental Health Housing is out on the street. She encouraged the Councilmembers to provide

input to the RFI.

Regional Solutions work on the Workforce Housing Initiative – Preparing to release an RFA as early as

next week, but most certainly before the holidays. The goal is to engage developers and local

governments and employers to be part of the conversation and the solution for employee housing. This

is a theme that has emerged time and time again during the Statewide Housing Plan outreach events over

the past month.

The Director informed the Council she would be attending the NCSHA Board of Directors meeting next

week (Dec 4-6). She plans to meet with as many of the Oregon Congressional Delegates as possible

during her time in Washington DC.

Response to public comment from November 3, 2017 – A member of the audience raised concerns

about the activities about a grantee of the agency (Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency)

and its use of the Emergency Housing Assistance funds. She wanted to state for the record that OHCS is

completing an internal investigation into the matter to clarify for the Council how the funds have been

spent and we can take the knowledge of this matter to inform future programs at the agency.

She has an update to provide today: In September 2016 the HSC approved by vote the use of EHA funds

to be used for the acquisition of Real Estate. This approval opened the door for our Community Action

Agencies grantees to acquire properties to create new shelter and housing capacity in their work to

address homelessness. The Council at that time put boundaries on the EHA Real Estate program, within

the boundaries in statute as determined by the Department of Justice. So notably Community Action

Agencies could only use the funds for shelter or transitional housing as opposed to permanent housing.

The Council required a 20-year use restriction and the Community Action Agencies would have to

submit a business plan to OHCS detailing the proposed transaction, the capacity of the organization to

fulfill that transaction and the proposed activities of the funds. OHCS then communicated to our

grantees in writing and we required acquisition and property in placement or a plan for placement and

targeting homeless and at-risk homeless clients into acquired property completed by June 30, 2017. I

want to note that the June 30, 2017 deadline was imposed as a policy matter by OHCS staff and it was

not required by the Housing Stability Council or by administrative rule, or by statute. In spring 2017

OHCS staff were hard at work to field questions from Community Action Agencies interested in EHA

Real Estate acquisition. In March of 2017, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency

submitted a work plan amendment requesting funds to acquire property to create the Arches Day Shelter

in downtown Salem. Staff completed a programmatic review of the work plan and determined that the

proposed use of funds met program requirements for EHA. Creation of a day shelter is allowable under

the EHA statute. Staff approved a budget change request to relocate $400,000 of Mid-Willamette

Valley’s EHA budget from other uses to Acquisition to align with the revised use of the funds. Mid-

Willamette Valley Community Action Agency was then in touch with OHCS as it located a facility


December 1, 2017


appropriate to acquire for the day center. On May 24, 2017 they contacted OHCS to describe the facility

and the proposed program for the Arches Day Center in downtown Salem. In June of 2017 our staff

approved an additional budget change request to relocate $15,000 of SHAP funds, an additional $72,000

in EHA funds from other uses to support the acquisition. Mid-Willamette Valley began moving into the

new building on June 18, 2017. OHCS let them know the funds would be available on June 26, 2017.

The move was completed by July 3, 2017. The Arches Day Center is now operational and is providing

the services discussed in the email correspondence and in the work plan submitted to OHCS.

In the public comment in November, we heard the commenters raise two questions. First they raised the

question of whether the acquisition of the day center was an appropriate use of funds and whether the

day center is currently operational. The second line of questioning was whether OHCS did our due

diligence in review the proposal for the Community Action Agency before making the funds available

for the acquisition. On the first question we are confident that the day shelter meets the statutory and

regulatory requirements of EHA and SHAP and it adheres to the policy direction from the Council. We

recently visited the center in person and found it is operational and is in great demand. However on the

second question in regards to our process, I will say that OHCS did miss a critical step. We did not

require submission of Mid-Willamette Valley’s business plan prior to making the funds available for

draw. This business plan included components specifically requested by the Housing Stability Council

in approving the concept of EHA for Real Estate. I believe that our staff were operating with the best

possible intentions and that was to be responsive to the Community Action Agency and to show

flexibility, customer service and partnership to allocate funds for a worthy project in a timely way in the

midst of a housing crisis. However, we do need a better system of checks and balances to ensure that we

are following the program direction from the Council and we are being the best possible stewards of the

funds. So in response: we tightened up our oversight of the Real Estate requests. The business plans will

now be reviewed by the Assistant Director and the AD will be required to approve the plans prior to

making funds available. We are also changing our management of the EHA and SHAP programs to

identify the Real Estate opportunities earlier in the fiscal year and to make it a priority for staff to

engage early with the Community Action Agencies to provide technical assistance and feedback on their

proposed plans for the funds. And as you know the other change that we have made this year for the

overall EHA and SHAP programs is to create greater transparency and to ask the Community Action

Agencies to coordinate more closely with local partners and elected officials so that all involved are

aware of the proposed work throughout the community. As we will continue our EHA Real Estate

conversation with the Housing Stability Council we will also continue working to create the best

possible approach to reviewing the business plans, to think critically about the requests that we receive

and to bring the full breadth of expertise from OHCS, including not only the Homeless Services

expertise, but also the Housing Finance expertise to the table to complete the reviews. I want to thank

the public commenters for their interest in the process and their interest in the programs. And thank all

of the Councilmembers for their attention to this report. We look forward to productive dialogue about

the EHA Real Estate Program as we move into the coming months. Thank you.

Chair Dickson thanked Director Salazar for her letter.

Director Salazar then introduced the newest Housing Integrator: Chelsea Bunch.

Report of the Chair


December 1, 2017


Chair Dickson provided the following updates:

He sent well-wishes to Councilmember Valfre and his wife Michelle. The Chair attended

Councilmember Valfre’s retirement from Washington County on 11/29/17. He said if he had to pick one

work to describe Val is service. He spent 50 years in service; 25 years in the Airforce and another 25

years in housing services.

Sub-committee work on the Council Charter – Chair Dickson has been serving on this sub-committee

along with Councilmembers Baney and Fieldman with Solid Ground. They have a draft document in the

works and will come before the Council in January to preview the Council document.

He then told everyone; his fellow Councilmember, Director Salazar and the entire agency, that he is

thankful for the work they do and the commitment they make to do the work. He looks forward to our

time working together in 2018. Thanks for fighting the good fight.

Happy Holidays to all and see you in the New Year.

Chair Dickson then adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.



Housing and Community Services North Mall Office Building

725 Summer St NE, Suite B Salem, OR 97301-1266

PHONE: (503) 986-2000 FAX: (503) 986-2020 TTY: (503) 986-2100

www.ohcs.oregon.gov

Date: January 5, 2018

To: Housing Stability Council Members Margaret Solle Salazar, Director

From: Kim Freeman, Manager, Single Family Julie V Cody, Assistant Director, Housing Finance

RE: Down Payment Assistance Grant – Summary Information for 2015-2017 Biennium

This memorandum provides an overview of the Homeownership Assistance Program (HOAP) Down

Payment Assistance Program activity for the 2015-2017 biennium and is intended to provide

background for the Housing Stability Council as it considers program opportunities going forward

through the Statewide Housing Plan, as well as future program offerings. The Council has not

historically played a role in establishing program direction for the HOAP program, but we believe this

should be part of the Council’s policymaking work in the future.

The HOAP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program is funded through the Document Recording Fee.

As the Council may recall, the DRF currently comes from a portion of the fees imposed per real estate

transaction. The current amount received by OHCS is $20 per real estate transaction. The funds are

split via formula between HOAP (which funds Homeownership Centers, DPA, Training and Technical

Assistance) along with emergency housing assistance (EHA), multifamily rental housing purposes and

Veterans programs. OHCS makes DPA funds available through a competitive grant process to nonprofit

organizations who work directly with homebuyers. (Please see attached fact sheet.) OHCS recently

closed out the 2015-2017 grants and awarded a new round of funds in June 2017. We have worked to

align the DPA program with other OHCS programs, including the Oregon Bond Residential Loan

Program and the Individual Development Account (IDA) program, which offers matched savings

opportunities and financial education.

Homeownership Assistance Program (HOAP)-Down Payment Assistance Program

Term of Agreement: December 1, 2015 – June 30, 2017

Total Awarded: $1,312,400 ( 8% Admin allowed for program expenses)

Awardees 14: Serving 23 Counties

ACCESS: Jackson, Josephine CAPECO: Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Wheeler

CCHC: Hood River, Wasco CinA: Harney, Malheur

KLCAS: Klamath, Lake NEDCO: Lane, Marion

NeighborImpact: Crook, Deschutes WNHS: Benton, Lincoln, Linn

HAYC: Yamhill

Hacienda, NAYA, PHC, PCRI, Open Door: Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington


Accomplishments

Households Assisted: 144

Program Funds Awarded to Homeowners: $1,134,926.29

DPA Average per Household Statewide: $7,881

(Average Portland Metro Area*: $9,095)

Purchased in 20 Counties: Average Purchase Price: Benton: 4 $215,750 Clackamas*: 8 $221,743 Crook: 1 $189,000 Deschutes: 6 $182,439 Hood River: 2 $257,000 Jackson: 13 $155,330 Josephine: 2 $115,000 Klamath: 14 $105,459 Lake: 2 $ 79,500 Lane: 7 $182,928 Lincoln: 1 $135,000 Linn: 4 $138,656 Malheur: 8 $107,546 Marion: 5 $135,340 Morrow: 3 $102,951 Multnomah*: 27 $227,339 Umatilla: 9 $124,477 Wasco: 6 $177,762 Washington*: 7 $234,842 Yamhill: 15 $192,995

Demographics:

Ethnicity: Hispanic or Latino: 35 Not Hispanic or Latino: 107 Refused: 2

Race: American Indian or Alaska Native: 3 Asian: 5 Black or African American: 9 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 1 Other: 18 White: 106 Refused: 2

Area Median Income Levels: Less than 30%: 4 31% to 49%: 19 50% to 79%: 121


Average Household size: 3

Veterans assisted: 5

Individual Development Account (IDA) Funds used for additional DPA: $273,720

Successes:

144 Stable Household Environments

Increased Community Awareness of Homeownership Centers

24% of Households were Hispanic or Latino

Ability to combine HOAP Funds with additional DPA programs

Additional Information:

Program funds returned to OHCS: $95,453.71 Sales fail during escrow – too much rehab required to pass inspection Borrower no longer under 80% AMI at time of purchase Some Partners were unable to locate lenders to accept funds Approved/Qualified clients unable to find home within program period

Awardees expended 6.87% Admin versus 8% allowed of $1,134,926 expended DPA

Total Purchase Price of 144 homes: $25,187,551

Challenges 2015 – 2017 Biennium: Minimal Housing Stock Affordability for less than 80% AMI clients Homes selling above sales list price

NEXT STEPS:

OHCS awarded Down Payment Assistance contracts for the 2017-2019 Biennium in June 2017. There

are 17 grant recipients operating in 26 counties throughout Oregon. Shortly after the end of the first

fiscal year of the biennium staff will provide a briefing on the progress of the current Down Payment

Assistance grantees. Around that time staff will also be bringing a framework document for the 2019-

2021 Down Payment Assistance program that will then be offered through a Request for Applications

(RFA) in time to have new grant agreements in place for the beginning of the 2019-2021 biennium.

This timing should align well with the Statewide Housing Plan and our discussion of opportunities to

expand homeownership and to continue to drive toward the mission of bridging the minority

homeownership gap. We will be looking for potential alignment of HOAP with other OHCS programs,

which could include weatherization and home repair programs, outreach to current OHCS affordable

housing residents, or other strategies.



Program Factsheet Oregon Housing and Community Services

HOAP-Down Payment Assistance

Oregon Housing and Community Services | 725 Summer St NE Suite B, Salem, OR 97301 | (503) 986-2000 | Revised 11/20/2017

Overview Down payment assistance and closing cost programs are administered by participating organizations for low- and very low-income families and individuals, with particular focus on underserved populations. The program is funded through the state's document recording fee. The programs give qualified buyers who have completed a homebuyer education program up to $15,000 for a down payment and/or closing costs. When program funds are awarded to qualified local organizations, they will be able to create, continue and expand their existing down payment assistance programs. Homebuyers, who have completed a homeownership education program, may qualify for up to $15,000.00 for down payment and/or closing costs. The awards are funded by the state's document recording fee, which are used to expand the state's supply of homeownership housing for low-and very low-income families and individuals, with particular focus on underserved populations.

Homeownership Centers

Oregon Homeownership Center staff is knowledgeable, dedicated and experienced in helping families become homeowner’s. Providing a variety of pre-purchase homebuyer education, financial coaching, and pre-purchase homebuyer counseling and financial literacy education. Oregon Homeownership Centers, listed below, may have resources to help you with Down Payment Assistance. ACCESS www.accesshelps.org Bend Area Habitat for Humanity https://bendhabitat.org Community Action Program of East Central Oregon www.capeco-works.org Community Action Team www.cat-team.org/nworhc/ Community in Action www.communityinaction.info Habitat for Humanity Oregon www.habitatoregon.org Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East www.habitatportlandmetro.org Hacienda Community Development Corporation www.haciendacdc.org Housing Authority of Yamhill County www.hayc.org


http://www.accesshelps.org/

https://bendhabitat.org/

http://www.capeco-works.org/

http://www.cat-team.org/nworhc/

http://www.communityinaction.info/

http://www.habitatoregon.org/

http://www.habitatportlandmetro.org/

http://www.haciendacdc.org/

http://www.hayc.org/

HOAP Downpayment Assistance Program

Page 2 of 2

Oregon Housing and Community Services | (503) 986-2000 | Revised 11/20/2017

Klamath & Lake Community Action Services www.klcas.org/homeownership Native American Youth & Family Center www.nayapdx.org Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) www.nedcocdc.org NeighborWorks Umpqua www.nwumpqua.org Portland Housing Center www.portlandhousingcenter.org Proud Ground https://proudground.org Willamette Neighborhood Housing Service www.w-nhs.org Willamette West Habitat for Humanity www.habitatwest.org Oregon Homeownership Agency staff offers a variety of tools and can help eligible families’ access community services.

For more information, please contact:

Alycia Howell Salem: (503) 986-2109 Email: [email protected] Visit program webpage here.


http://www.klcas.org/homeownership

http://www.nayapdx.org/

http://www.nedcocdc.org/

http://www.nwumpqua.org/

http://www.portlandhousingcenter.org/

https://proudground.org/

http://www.w-nhs.org/

http://www.habitatwest.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/oregon-bond-program-down-payment-assistance.aspx




PHONE: (503) 986-2000 FAX: (503) 986-2020 TTY: (503) 986-2100

www.ohcs.oregon.gov

Date January 5, 2018

To: Housing Stability Council Members

Margaret Solle Salazar, Director

From: Julie V. Cody, Assistant Director Housing Finance

Heather Pate, Manager Multifamily

Tai Dunson-Strane, Tax Credits Program Manager

RE: Plan for 2018 Multifamily Fund Offerings – New Construction Gap Fund Offerings and Preservation

Fund Offerings

Motion: Housing Stability Council gives its approval for the framework by which gap resources will be

allocated to projects utilizing 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits to support the development

of new projects, as well as preservation of existing subsidized affordable housing.

Background:

On September 8, 2017, pursuant to Housing Stability Council approved Plan for 2018 Multifamily Fund

Offerings, staff worked to establish parameters within a single application to reserve OHCS funding offerings

dedicated to projects utilizing Pass-Through Revenue Bonds (Conduit). The Conduit process assumes the tax-

exempt bond allocation request is coupled with a request for 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and

possible other OHCS funding sources (see http://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/multifamily-housing-loan-conduit-

program.aspx).

The Department will accept an application at any time during the year. A two part process has been established in

an effort to clarify and expedite the processing of bond and/or 4% LIHTC transactions.

Current demand for gap funds is anticipated to exceed the OHCS funding resources available. Parameters

approved by Housing Stability Council will only apply to resources outlined in the Plan for 2018 Multifamily

Fund Offerings in an effort to narrow the range of eligible projects and focus on desired policy outcomes.

New Construction Gap Fund Offerings Preservation Gap Fund Offerings

$5 million in gap resources through the 4% LIHTC

application process

$15 million in gap resources through the 4% LIHTC

application process

– OHCS portfolio priority not have the following:

25% or more of units with HUD Section 8 contract expiring;

USDA RD loan maturing within 7 years

RD restrictive use covenants expired or project needs recapitalization of at least $30,000 per unit

Public Housing units involving a comprehensive recapitalization


http://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/multifamily-housing-loan-conduit-program.aspx

http://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/multifamily-housing-loan-conduit-program.aspx

January 5, 2018

Plan for 2018 Multifamily Fund Offerings – New Construction Gap Fund Offerings and Preservation Fund Offerings

Timing:

- January 2018 – Eligibility Criteria formal announcement

- February 2018 – Application open - 45 days after publication of the funding announcement

- June 30, 2018 – If funds remain unreserved the Department will reevaluate the Criteria for reserving

funds to ensure the use of funds.

Open until Funds are Exhausted:

When market conditions develop so that demand for additional OHCS funding resources exceeds the amount

available, the Multifamily Housing Finance section may implement a set of parameters in order to allocate OHCS

funding offering dedicated to Pass-Through Revenue Bond (Conduit). In that circumstance, the allocation criteria

below would be used for the purposes of ranking projects.

Current demand is anticipated to exceed the OHCS funding resources available. Therefore, the scoring criteria

will be used to rank projects for an allocation of the additional OHCS funding resources to be paired with

4%/Conduit transactions. A minimum of 40 points must be selected from the options below in order to apply for

OHCS funding resources (GHAP, HDGP) specified within Plan for 2018 Multifamily Fund Offerings. For

scattered site or “bundling” applications each project must meet the 40-point minimum and are scored

individually.

If points are in dispute, the decision will be made by the Assistant Director of Housing Finance Division.

Scoring Threshold – NEW CONSTRUCTION

Focus: Expediting construction of new affordable housing units *

Criteria Points Rationale

1. Large Scale Projects

Points will be awarded to a large

scale projects defined as 80 units

or greater in a single project or

scattered site

15 points

Effective use of resources

based on last two years of

closings.

2. Subsidy Leveraging

Points will be awarded to projects

that require lower subsidy per

unit.

15 points

- Up to $45,000 per unit for Metro Oregon

- Up to $55,000 per unit for Non-Metro

- Up to $65,000 per unit for Balance of State Oregon

10 points

- Up to $55,000 per unit for Metro Oregon



5 points - Up to $65,000 per unit for Metro Oregon



Preference projects that

requires less gap funds to

proceed.

3. Severe Housing Cost Burden


located in Census Tracts with

severe housing cost burden: HUD

Affirmatively Furthering Fair

Housing AFFH Data and

Mapping Tool

https://egis.hud.gov/affht/

10 points Provide housing in areas

with the greatest need for

affordable housing.


https://egis.hud.gov/affht/

January 5, 2018


Bonus: Points Rationale

1. Mixed Use and or Mixed Income

Points will be awarded to

Mixed Use projects defined as

ground floor commercial with

residential and or project having a

range of affordability tiers*.

5 points Innovative project design.

2. Bundling

Points will be awarded to

scattered site projects bundling

sites in Metro Oregon with

Balance of State Oregon & Non-

Metro HUD HOME Participating

with Balance of State Oregon.

5 points Innovation to allow for

4% / LIHTC rural

projects financially

feasible.

* OHCS Departments programs offering incentivize housing production coupled enriched by service

offering

* Mixed income multifamily rental projects in which 40%-60% of the units are at low income rents

affordable to households earning up to 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) and the other 40%-60% of

units would have rents affordable to moderate and/or middle income households earning up to 130% of

AMI. For projects involving a mix of market rate units and affordable units, the percentage of GHAP

funds cannot exceed the percentage of low and very low income units within the project. (Example: If

20% of the units within a project will be affordable to persons with income at or below 80% of median,

then no more than 20% of the total project cost may be requested from GHAP).

Scoring Threshold – PRESERVATION

Focus: Preservation of project less than 25 % Project-based Federal Rental Subsidy

Preservation Application Requirements:

-Limit 1 application per sponsor

-All applications are required to submit a Capital Needs Assessment at time of pre-application.


1. Affordability

Properties with less remaining

affordability.

5 points - Projects with 60 years affordability covenants have

less than 40 years remaining. - Projects with 45 years affordability covenants have

less than 15 years remaining.

- Projects with 30 years affordability covenants have

less than 10 years remaining.

Older projects closer to

end of useful life and

affordability period.

2. Preservation


representing a significant

percentage of the community’s

affordable housing stock

5 points

Projects that represent greater than 30% of

the community’s affordable housing stock

Value of the community’s

affordable housing

percentage


January 5, 2018



3. Building System Replacement


with major building systems and

envelope repairs in need of

replacements within the 5 years

(minimum of 3 to qualify): Domestic Water

Electrical System

Elevators

Emergency Power

Exhaust System

Fire Protection

Heating/Ventilation/Air

Conditioning

Sanitary System

10 points Projects with envelope

and major building

system failures.

4. Life/ Health Safety or At Risk of

Habitability


with units currently off line or that

have unresolved critical repairs

issues. 10 % of the total units or a minimum of

5 units whichever is greater.

10 points Project with life-safety

needs and at-risk

habitability.

5. Critical Repairs


that have substantial critical repairs

as a part of the scope of work for a

substantial rehabilitation.

Minimum 60 % of the total project

construction costs for critical repairs.

10 points Projects with critical

repairs.

Bonus: Points Rationale

1. Physical Condition Grade


that have a property or properties

with a physical condition grade of does

not meet as per OHCS established

standards

5 points Prioritize projects that demonstrated

physical conditions concerns.

2. OHCS Risk Rated for Financial Viability

Points will be awarded to projects that are

risk rated 40 or higher with respect to

financial performance as established by

OHCS’s risk rating system

5 points Prioritize projects that have issues

with on-going financial viability to

ensure continued affordability, by

using the established OHCS risk

rating system.

3. Special needs populations

Points will be award to projects that

currently serve vulnerable or special needs

populations.

5 points Prioritize projects serving the most

vulnerable populations including but

not limited to veterans, elderly,

persons with disabilities, previously

incarcerated, and/or survivors of

domestic violence; and/or projects

where the majority of residents are at

or below 30% AMI, or with 25% or

more of the units family size (3+

Bedroom).





PHONE: (503) 986-2000 FAX: (503) 986-2020 TTY: (503) 986-2100

www.ohcs.oregon.gov




From: Kimber Sexton, Asset Manager

Ryan Miller, Asset Management & Compliance Section Manager

Julie Cody, Assistant Director, Housing Finance

Re: Tilikum Apartments, HPLUS Development Grant funding request

MOTION: Move to approve the HPLUS development grant of $561,150 with a 20 year commitment to

provide housing for qualified households at 50% or less of the county median income who meet the

HPLUS homeless criteria.

HPLUS BACKGROUND:

Housing PLUS (Permanent Living Utilizing Services) was funded by the 2007 Oregon Legislature to

develop permanent supportive housing, as well as provide rental assistance and resident services, for

Oregon’s homeless. Initial funding was from $15,609,000 in lottery-backed bonds and OHCS was

mandated by the legislature to develop 150 units of permanent supportive housing for homeless persons

in the 2007-2009 biennium and provide operating support through rental assistance and reimbursements

for resident services for the first five (5) years of operation.

OHCS successfully awarded $11,570,901 in development grants and $4,748,681 in rental assistance and

supportive services contracts during 2008-09, which ultimately provided funding that developed 165 units

of permanent supportive housing serving previously homeless households across the state. No other

funding of this type was provided to OHCS by the Oregon Legislature after this one-time allocation.

Many of the contracts providing operating support were extended passed their original maturity. As the

contracts neared the June 2017 expiration OHCS reconciled unused HPLUS funds in order to redistribute

under terms that would help ensure that those funds would be used within the next twelve months. OHCS

solicited all partners who had received previously received HPLUS grants regarding submission of

requests for funding. It was required that the requests outline how this population would continue to be

served and how much in grant resources would achieve their goal for twelve months. Recommended

funding for thirteen properties have been approved by OHCS Finance Committee and the Director to

receive additional operational support. The remaining development funds available are included in the

motion below for Tilikum Apartments.


PROJECT SUMMARY:

Project Sponsor Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA)

Property Tilikum Apartments

1581-1521 Willow Dr.

Warrenton, OR

Owner Clatsop County Housing Authority

Description Tilikum Apartments is an eight (8) unit multifamily affordable housing

complex that was placed in service 2009. Current HPLUS restrictions

require all units to be occupied by household at or below 50% of median

income and will expire in 2029.

Affordability

Target Population

Priority population that includes persons experiencing long-term homelessness, including persons:

Who have chronic health conditions that are at least episodically disabling, such as

mental illness, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS or other substantial barriers to housing

stability (e.g. trauma, or history of placement in institutions); and

Who have been homeless for long periods of time (one year or more) or have experienced

repeated stays in the streets, emergency shelters, or other temporary settings, often

cycling between homeless and institutional systems of care such as hospitals, jails,

prisons, foster care, or other emergency systems.

Who have been victims of domestic violence, face survival and safety risks, come from a

shelter, transitional housing, or another temporary housing situation, and have substantial

barriers to obtain and retain housing.

Clatsop County is among the top five counties in Oregon for homelessness. The Daily Astorian estimated

682 homeless according to the point in time count completed in January 2017 but it is estimated by local

social service agencies to be much higher (700-1000) at any given time.

Finance Committee Approval August 28, 2017

FINANCING STRUCTURE:

Construction Lender Not Applicable

Permanent Lender Not Applicable

General Contractor To be determined

Project Financing

SOURCES: USES:

OHCS Sources:

HPLUS Development Grant $561,150 Construction $561,150

Development 0

TOTALS $561,150

FUNDING

SOURCE

# OF

UNITS

%

INCOME

%

RENTS

# OF

YEARS

HPLUS 8 50% 50% 20 –

(2038)


Scope of Work (Rehabilitation)

Tilikum in one of the Clatsop County Housing Authority (CCHA) portfolio with noted construction

issues transferred to Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA) during the consolidation of those two

entities in January of 2014. NOHA worked with Housing Development Center (HDC) during that

transition. HDC concluded that Tilikum would require reinvestment in order to complete extensive

physical repairs. HDC also worked with NOHA to try to identify financing solutions for the portfolio,

including scattered site using 9% LIHTC. Although they were successful with other portfolio projects,

Tilikum has not fit into a successful financing proposal.

NOHA had a capital needs assessment (CNA) done for the property in 2015 to establish remaining useful

life and produce a scope of work for necessary rehabilitation. The CNA indicated that the unit interiors

were in very good condition but the exterior had deficiencies that would negatively impact expected

useful life and concealed moisture related damage and would require a near comprehensive rehabilitation.

The 2016 OHCS physical inspection indicated siding and trim boards showed signs of damage and in

some areas paint was starting to fade/peel or was missing. Windows also showed signs of damage,

including deteriorated /failed seals, missing screens, and water-stained/damaged trim boards. There was

surface damage observed on the exterior stairs, handrails and entry door (peeling/cracking). Roofs

appeared to be in good condition; however on the shady side of the property moss has begun to grow.

Several downspout extensions, splashguards and/or drains were damaged or missing. Gutters and

downspouts need to be cleaned out, inspected for damage, and/or replaced.

Summary of Rehab/Construction

Exterior siding and trim

Windows

Roofing

Seal coating and striping

Drainage

Construction cost per unit is $70,520 ($80 per square foot)

Location, Services

The management agent and resident services plans have been reviewed and approved by OHCS Asset

Management and Compliance (AMC).

Location:

Tilikum Apartment is located in Warrenton, Oregon in a developing subdivision with both single

and multi-family homes. It is near parks and the area is surrounded by trails and easily accessible

to the developing North Coast Business Park. Public transportation is also available.

Resident Services:

Resident services are vital to the community. Case management is provided by Clatsop

Community Action, a United Way Agency. Residents can access energy assistance, temporary

rental assistance, prescription assistance, food bank, personal care pantry, and more. Services are

evaluated annually.

Risks & Mitigating Factors:

There are no risks or mitigating factors as the Project is within OHCS guidelines and policies.


Recommendation

This funding request is coming to Council for approval based on the new Multifamily Transaction Limits

Policy this body adopted in September2017. Due to the percentage of the funding necessary to complete

the rehabilitation of this project and therefore requires Council approval.

Housing with permanent supportive services reduces the homeless population in the community and the

associated costs related to emergency rooms, shelters and jails. This project provides eight (8) units of

much needed permanent supportive housing for this coastal community. By moving forward to rehab this

project, OHCS is ensuring safe, decent affordable housing for another 20 years.

Staff recommends the motion on page 27 be approved.





PHONE: (503) 986-2000 FAX: (503) 986-2020 TTY: (503) 986-2100

www.ohcs.oregon.gov

Date: December 26, 2017



From: Claire Seguin, Assistant Director of Housing Stabilization

Marilyn Miller, Homeless Services Section Manager

Re: Approval of the Veteran Lottery Fund Proposed Investment Plan

Motion:

To approve the proposed Veteran Lottery Fund Investment Plan for submission and

presentation to the State Legislature in February.

Background:

In the 2017-2019 Legislatively Adopted Budget, OHCS received an allocation of $1.5 million in

lottery funds derived from Measure xx which funded an array of veteran programs. The budget

included a note directing OHCS to work with the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs

(ODVA) to develop a plan for expenditure of these funds and to report to the legislature in the

February 2018 session. The proposed plan includes investment in technical assistance and

outreach critical to supporting local efforts and building lasting infrastructure, while also

contributing to permanent housing opportunities and homeless services.

2017-19 Veteran Lottery Fund Investment Plan

Homeless Veteran Integrator Position Total Investment: $240,000

Hire a Limited Duration Veteran Integrator to provide leadership for Oregon’s Initiative to End

Veterans Homelessness. Integrator staff will assist local communities through key stakeholder

engagement (veterans, veteran service providers, landlords, housing providers, Community

Action Agencies, Continuum’s of Care, etc.) and partnership development designed to leverage

and align resources, creating a streamlined homeless veteran service delivery system with shared

performance metrics.

Justification: Governor Brown has directed OHCS and ODVA to end veteran homelessness.

The 2017 Point in Time Count (PITC) showed that 1,251 Oregon veterans identified as

homeless. The challenge of meeting the Governor’s directive is compounded by Oregon’s

affordable housing crisis and the multiple systems that impact homeless veterans. Research from

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), shows that states who have ended

veterans homelessness (Virginia, Connecticut & Delaware) and other local jurisdictions have


designated staff whose sole responsibility is lead the initiative by working with the multiple

systems (veteran, health, correction, workforce, housing and poverty systems) to ensure

coordinated and streamlined service access and delivery thus avoiding duplication and increasing

effectiveness.

Increased CAA Veterans Services Funding Total Investment: $350,000

These funds have been allocated to the Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to provide a wide

array of services to homeless and at-risk of homelessness Veterans. Funds will be utilized in

conjunction with OHCS’s Document Recording Fee (DRF) Veteran funds and have the same

service components and requirements as the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) program.

Justification: Distribution of funds to OHCS’s current grantees allowed for a quick investment

in local efforts to reduce Veterans’ homelessness and aligns with current document recording fee

Veterans funding.

Community Technical Assistance and Consultation Total Investment: $150,000

Through a targeted technical assistance effort, OHCS will engage experts to assist local

communities through their Continuums of Care (CoCs) and Community Action Agencies

(CAAs) to end Veteran homelessness. OHCS is researching potential contractors with extensive

experience in assisting states and local communities to develop real time data on homelessness,

optimize local housing resources, track progress against monthly goals, and accelerate the

utilization of proven strategies. This investment will not only support local community efforts,

but also create a lasting infrastructure for data management to make an impact into the future.

Justification: Regional and local communities are in different stages of readiness to end

Veterans homelessness as defined by USICH. To meet USICH national benchmarks, local

communities will require increased knowledge and capacity to deliver the necessary assistance to

Veterans, engage key stakeholders including local elected leaders, and collect, enter and analyze

the data necessary to direct investments and monitor progress. Both Virginia and Connecticut

have utilized nationally regarded contractors to work on data improvements, such as creation of a

“by name” registry list, and have functionally ended Veteran homelessness based on the HUD

benchmarks and criteria. Selected consultation will be a peer learning model that provides

learning sessions with other communities from the U.S. to share ideas, goals, action plans, and

solutions to overcoming barriers to successful implementation. The anticipated cost is $10,000-

$12,000 per community. Our projection is that a minimum of ten communities would receive

consultation and approximately $25,000 - $50,000 of the contract would be utilized to stand up a

Veterans Homelessness Steering Committee to pull together information from participating

communities, tracking progress, identifying and addressing challenges to the goal of ending

Veterans’ homelessness.


Permanent Housing for Homeless Veterans Total Investment: $760,000

OHCS will create additional permanent housing for Veterans who are homeless and/or at risk of

homelessness. With the severe shortage of housing opportunities in many communities

throughout Oregon, the creation of new homes is a critical component of the work to place

veterans in permanent housing situations. The legislature communicated a strong interest in a

portion of the funds being allocated to permanent housing. Permanent housing is a strategy

successfully utilized by other states and jurisdictions to end Veteran homelessness. Specifically,

the funds will be added to an OHCS Multi Family Housing NOFA. One opportunity could be

the Veteran/Mental Health NOFA provided there are qualifying projects. If that opportunity is

not available, we would add the funds to other NOFAs to be released early in 2018.

Justification: Oregon’s current housing crisis has created an affordability gap for moderate and

low-income households creating an even bigger barrier for those who are homeless Veterans

with no and extremely low incomes. Research continues to show that long-term housing

assistance reduces homelessness and is more cost effective than shelter and institutional care.

Oregon has embraced the evidence based practice that access to permanent housing as a first

option and the provision of supportive services once homeless households are placed in

permanent housing, is key to ending Veteran homelessness.



Oregon Veteran Homelessness Spotlight

Data Context

According to the Oregon Dept. of Veteran Affairs (ODVA) 2017 Annual Report:

Approximately 310,333 veterans live in Oregon

- 8.2% are women

- 52% are aged 65+

- 40% aged 35-64

- 8% aged 20-34

The 2017 Point-in-Time estimates

- 1,251 homeless veterans (compared to 1,372 in 2015) in Oregon

9% of the counted homeless population (13,953)

- 90% of homeless veterans were men

- 120 were women

- 6 were transgender

- 3 did not identify as female, male, or transgender

Of the total veteran homeless population

- 53% were living in unsheltered locations

- 47% were sheltered making Oregon the third highest state in rate of unsheltered

veterans

- 36% of homeless veterans are experiencing chronic homelessness (compared to 25%

of the overall homeless population)

- Oregon had the fifth largest number of veterans experiencing homelessness, but the

25th largest number of veterans

- Oregon was also one of only three states where more than half of all veterans

experiencing homelessness were unsheltered

- Oregon’s Balance of State Continuum of Care representing 28 counties, had the third

highest number of homeless veterans and fourth highest number of unsheltered

veterans compared nationally to other balance of state and statewide Continuums of

Care

More veteran homeless data can be found on the OHCS website at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/oregon.housing.and.community.services#!/vizhome/InformationDashbo

ardPITCount_1/Point-in-TimeCount

Veteran Resources

OHCS and ODVA receive funding to provide a wide array of services and housing for veterans.

Both organizations share a commitment to ending veteran homelessness and have been charged

by Governor Brown to reduce and functionally end veteran homelessness in Oregon. A map of

current veteran resources can be found on the OHCS website at: http://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ffc8c99e7daa4200825f52b3fa34852f &

OHCS has historically provided a broad array of homeless services to multiple homeless

subpopulations including veterans. However, in 2009 the state legislature (HB 2436) created a

Document Recording Fee (DRF) which added a $15 fee to recording of real property documents

to fund affordable housing. In 2013 the legislature (HB 2417) added an additional $5 to the DRF

to specifically serve veterans. By statute, the fee is divided into three programs/purposes, each

of which includes a set-aside for veterans:

Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) – 10%;

Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP) – 14%; and

General Housing Account Program (GHAP) – 76%.


https://public.tableau.com/profile/oregon.housing.and.community.services#!/vizhome/InformationDashboardPITCount_1/Point-in-TimeCount

https://public.tableau.com/profile/oregon.housing.and.community.services#!/vizhome/InformationDashboardPITCount_1/Point-in-TimeCount

http://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ffc8c99e7daa4200825f52b3fa34852f

The Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Vet DRF program is administered by the Housing

Stabilization Division’s Homeless Services Section and delivered by the Community Action

Agency (CAA) network. The Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP) Vet DRF and

General Housing Account Program (GHAP) Vet DRF programs are administered by the Housing

Finance Division. The EHA Vet DRF program assists low- or very low-income veterans who

are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, to acquire and sustain stable permanent housing.

These funds are awarded by formula to our CAA grantees on a quarterly basis. Funds are used

to provide services within multiple program components that include: transitional housing, rapid

re-housing, homelessness prevention, street outreach, supportive in-home services, emergency

shelter, community capacity building, facility acquisition and rehab/conversion and data

collection. During the 2015-17 biennium, 813 veteran households (1,455 individuals) received

Vet DRF funded services.

In 2016 additional veteran resources were made available through the passage of Measure which

allocates 1.5 percent of net Lottery revenues to support veterans. The measure is expected to

generate a total of $18.7 million in the 2017-19 biennium $1.5 million of which is dedicated to

support veteran housing and homelessness efforts. The OHCS and ODVA proposed investment

plan for these funds is contained in the December 26, 2017 memo to the Housing Stability

Council for approval at their January meeting.

Framework for Ending Veteran Homelessness

On March 31, 2017 Governor Kate Brown announced that she was calling on the Legislature to

support additional investments in veteran services and to provide a home for every veteran in

Oregon. Governor Brown directed OHCS and ODVA to lead Oregon’s Initiative to End

Veterans Homelessness. The Initiative is structured to meet the United States Interagency

Council on Homelessness (USICH) criteria for functionally ending veteran homelessness.

Functionally ending is defined as when the number of veterans

experiencing homelessness within a community is less than the average number

of veterans being connected with permanent housing each month. Oregon’s action plan is being

developed around the following criteria:

Identification statewide of all Veterans experiencing homelessness

Statewide capacity to provide shelter immediately to any Veteran experiencing unsheltered

homelessness who wants it

Utilization of service-intensive transitional housing only in limited instances

Statewide capacity to assist Veterans to swiftly move into permanent housing

Statewide sustainable capacity to serve and place any future Veterans who become

homeless or are at risk of homelessness into permanent housing




725 Summer St NE, Suite B

Salem, OR 97301-1266

PHONE: (503) 986-2000 FAX: (503) 986-2020

TTY: (503) 986-2100

www.ohcs.oregon.gov


To: Housing Stability Council Members Margaret Salazar, Director

From: Ariel Nelson, Government Relations Liaison Claire Seguin, Assistant Director, Housing Stability

RE: Rent Guarantee Program Draft Administrative Rules for Council Review and Approval

Motion: The Housing Stability Council approves draft Administrative Rules implementing the Rent Guarantee Program as enacted by HB 2724 (2017).

The attached draft Administrative Rules for the Rent Guarantee Program are recommended by

OHCS staff and the Rent Guarantee Rules Advisory Committee, and reviewed by DOJ counsel

for accuracy.

Background

The 2017 Oregon Legislature enacted HB 2724, which restores a mitigation fund at OHCS that

covers a portion of landlords’ expenses for damages caused by a tenant who has completed a

tenant education program such as Rentwell or Ready to Rent. The program is intended to help

address barriers for tenants to access housing on the private market; it provides incentives and

financial assistance to landlords that rent or lease to low-income households by guaranteeing

payments to landlords for unpaid rent and for eviction and property damage costs within limits

established by the department. The Legislature appropriated $125,000 to support the

mitigation fund. HB 2724 explicitly requires administrative rules for the Rent Guarantee

program to be approved by the Housing Stability Council.

In preparation for implementation of HB 2724 and the Rent Guarantee program in January

2018, OHCS convened a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to provide guidance on creation of the

program framework and administrative rules. The RAC met twice, on October 30th and

November 21st. Both meetings were open to the public and participants represented a variety

of service providers from around the state. A full list of participants is attached.

RAC participants discussed various successes and challenges that tenant education providers

are experiencing across the state, as well as plans to expand tenant education opportunities to

more areas. By the second and final meeting, participants reached consensus on two main

decision points: 1) to use a statewide pool of funds available to all successful applicants on a


January 5, 2018

Rent Guarantee Program Administrative Rules

first-come, first-served basis; and 2) to dedicate use of funds to program/guarantee payments

with no administrative costs permitted.

Some RAC members raised concerns that the statutory requirement for providers to have

access to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) could be a barrier to program

participation for some applicants. At the same time, OHCS staff expressed a preference that

participating tenant information be reported in HMIS in order to provide OHCS with complete

and consistent data on homelessness and demographics across agency programs, and the

ability to examine how participants of Rent Guarantee may be accessing other services. The

RAC and OHCS staff agreed to monitor this issue as the program rolls out and participants may

seek a legislative change in future sessions. Providers will be reporting to OHCS on a quarterly

basis and staff plan to hold quarterly meetings with providers to monitor and discuss

implementation progress and share provider best practices.


RENT GUARANTEE PROPOSAL as of 12/22/17

POOL OF FUNDING AND

LIMITATIONS Funds kept in a pool by OHCS and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for

submitted claims subject to available funding

$2,000 per tenant

$5,000 max. for any single landlord for all agreements in program

Minimum term of guarantee is first 12 months of tenant occupancy

LANDLORD ELIGIBILITY Owner/operator of rental housing approved to participate in program by program

provider.

Has written contract with program provider

Has written lease/rental agreement with tenant

Agrees to provide a minimum rental term of 12 months from the date

landlord/tenant agreement begins, providing tenant remains compliant with

agreement

Cannot apply to the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program (HCLGP) for

same damages obtained in RGP

PROGRAM PROVIDER

ELIGIBILITY Successfully responds to Request for Applications (RFA)

Has written contract with OHCS, duration of not less than 1 fiscal biennium

Has current experience providing tenant readiness education or can provide access

to tenant readiness education through subcontract

Has experience placing persons in low-income households into permanent housing

Demonstrates organization capacity to administer program, track and report data

and performance measurement, enter data using OHCS HMIS, can timely process

request for payment payments, can operate on a reimbursement basis for financial

assistance

TENANT ELIGIBILITY Income at or below 60% AMI

Experiences barriers to housing stability

Poor credit history

Criminal background history

Eviction history

Successfully completed OHCS-approved tenant readiness education

Is placed in housing due to this program (not already an existing tenant)

Resident of Oregon

TENANT READINESS

EDUCATION Certified or experienced trainer

Curriculum extends over multiple weeks

Tenants receive pass/fail grade, those who pass receive completion certification

Sets maximum number of acceptable absences

Covers the following areas:

Landlord/tenant law

Application/screening process

Understanding a lease/rental agreement

Personal finance/budgeting/how credit reports are used

Energy conservation


RENT GUARANTEE PROPOSAL as of 12/22/17

Fair housing rights/responsibilities

What makes a good tenant/communicating with landlord

Barriers to obtaining housing

Tips for moving in/moving out

Care/maintenance of unit/maintenance responsibilities

Termination notices

Recovering your deposit

STANDARDIZED

GENERAL PROGRAM

REQUIREMENTS

Release of information

Confidentiality

Nondiscrimination

Fair Housing

Limited English proficiency

Conflict of interest

ALLOWABLE EXPENSES Expenses occurred upon move-out of tenant within the first 12 months of tenancy

Unpaid rent (up to $2,000)

Damages beyond the normal wear and tear of tenant occupancy cause by tenant

Expenses related to removal of excessive debris left by tenant, including disposal

fees

Eviction costs include court filing fees, attorney fees, and serving of notice

Damages by pets or service animals included on the tenant’s rental agreement

REQUEST FOR FUNDS Provider uses OHCS OPUS fiscal system

Provider verifies expenses and completes claim form with supporting attachments

OHCS issues notice of allocation

Provider submits request for funds

OHCS approves request for funds

Provider remits funds to landlord

REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS Program provider uses OHCS HMIS data system

Quarterly/Annual Demographic/Funding report (using HMIS report and additional

supplemental report)

Quarterly/Annual Financial Status Report (OPUS)


RENT GUARANTEE RULES ADVISORY COMMITTEE PARTICIPANTS

Bend/Central OR Neighbor Impact

Sonia Capece 2303 SW 1st St Redmond OR 97756

541.548.2380 [email protected]

Multnomah Transition Projects www.tprojects.org

Caitlyn Kennedy Rent Well Program Administrator

665 NW Hoyt St Portland, OR 97209


Clackamas Clackamas County Social Services

Elizabeth Kayla Wilson Rachel Spooner

[email protected]

Washington Community Action www.caowash.org

Linda King Housing Program Specialist Supervisor

1001 SW Baseline St Hillsboro, OR 97123


Douglas County Housing Authority of Douglas County

Jamie Ambrosini, Deputy Director

902 W Stanton Roseburg, OR 97471


Jackson County ACCESS

Matthew Vorderstrasse Participant Support Supervisor

3630 Aviation Way Medford, OR 97504

541.779.6691 ext. 365

[email protected]

Douglas/Josephine Counties UCAN

Kelly Wessels Chief Operating Officer

280 Kenneth Ford Dr Roseburg, OR 97470


Harney/Malheur Counties CinA

Maribel Ramirez 915 SW 3rd Ave Ontario, OR 97914


Baker/Grant/ Union/Wallowa Northeast Oregon Housing Authority

Di Lyn Larsen-Hill Family Self-Sufficiency Program Manager

PO Box 3357 LaGrande, OR 97850

541.963.536, ext. 32

[email protected]

Yamhill County Housing Authority of Yamhill County

Judi Herubin [email protected]

Oregon Housing Authorities & CAPO

Ryan Fisher [email protected]

NEDCO Emily Reiman [email protected]

Washington County Housing Services

Val Valfre [email protected]

Office of Speaker Tina Kotek

Taylor Smiley-Wolfe [email protected]

Legislative Policy & Research Office

Cassandra Soucy [email protected]

Member of the Public Jacek Haciak [email protected]












79th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2017 Regular Session

Enrolled

House Bill 2724Sponsored by Representative KENY-GUYER, Senator DEMBROW, Representative HEARD; Repre-

sentatives GORSEK, MCLAIN, NEARMAN, SANCHEZ, SOLLMAN (Presession filed.)

CHAPTER .................................................

AN ACT

Relating to the Rent Guarantee Program.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. As used in this section and section 2 of this 2017 Act:

(1) “Landlord” means an owner of a dwelling unit that has entered into a rental or lease

agreement with a tenant.

(2) “Low income household” means a household of one or more individuals whose com-

bined incomes are at or below 60 percent of the area median income and includes, but is not

limited to, a household of one or more individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming

homeless.

(3) “Tenant” means an individual or a family who has or will be entering into a rental

or lease agreement with a landlord.

SECTION 2. (1) The Housing and Community Services Department shall develop and im-

plement the Rent Guarantee Program for the purpose of providing incentives and financial

assistance to landlords that rent or lease to low income households by guaranteeing pay-

ments to landlords for unpaid rent and for eviction and property damage costs as described

in this section. Department administration of the program is subject to Oregon Housing

Stability Council policy, rules and standards.

(2) A tenant is eligible to participate in the program if the tenant:

(a) Resides in a low income household;

(b) Experiences barriers to obtaining housing including but not limited to:

(A) Poor credit history or ratings;

(B) Criminal background history; or

(C) A history of housing evictions; and

(c) Successfully completes the tenant training and certification process implemented by

the department under subsection (3) of this section.

(3) As part of the program implemented under this section, the department shall provide

training to, and a certification process for, tenants from low income households for the

purpose of providing tenants with information on how to achieve and maintain a successful

tenancy and providing reliable accreditation of tenants to landlords that are considering

renting or leasing to tenants from low income households.

(4) A landlord may submit a request for financial assistance to the department in ac-

cordance with rules adopted by the council. Financial assistance to landlords under the

program is limited as follows:

Enrolled House Bill 2724 (HB 2724-A) Page 1


(a) Reimbursement for unpaid rent and payment of eviction and damage costs are limited

to circumstances involving rental or lease agreements entered into with tenants determined

to be eligible under subsection (2) of this section;

(b) Financial assistance is limited to reimbursement for unpaid rent and eviction and

damage costs incurred during the first 12 months of any single rental or lease agreement;

(c) Reimbursement for unpaid rent is limited to a maximum of $2,000 per eligible tenant;

(d) Financial assistance paid under the program to a landlord is limited to a maximum

of $5,000 per landlord; and

(e) Payment of financial assistance is contingent on the landlord’s submission of a com-

plete and accurate reimbursement request, verification of unpaid rent and eviction or dam-

age claims by the department or program provider described in subsection (6) of this section

and cooperation with the collection of data to measure program performance outcomes as

described in subsection (6) of this section.

(5) Before receipt of payments of financial assistance under the program, a landlord must

provide to the department or the program provider described in subsection (6) of this section

a report containing information required by rule adopted by the council. The report must

contain, at a minimum, the following:

(a) Information regarding eligible tenants with which the landlord entered into tenancy

agreements including, but not limited to, the length of tenancy and reason for termination

of tenancy, if applicable; and

(b) The amounts of unpaid rent and eviction and damage costs not reimbursed by finan-

cial assistance received by the landlord under the program.

(6)(a) The department may contract with a public or private provider to administer the

program within an individual county or region of this state and to distribute financial as-

sistance to eligible landlords as provided in this subsection. The department is not subject

to the provisions of ORS chapter 279A or 279B in awarding a contract under the provisions

of this subsection. The department shall, in consultation with the council, establish criteria

for proposals, prepare and publish requests for proposals, receive proposals and award con-

tracts to eligible providers. Eligible providers must, at a minimum:

(A) Have experience providing tenant readiness education sufficient to provide tenant

training and certification as described in subsection (3) of this section;

(B) Have experience placing persons in low income households into permanent housing;

(C) Have experience working collaboratively with local landlords and service providers;

and

(D) Demonstrate the organizational capacity to administer the program, including the

ability to track data and performance measure outcomes and to timely process requests for

and payments of financial assistance.

(b) Program providers shall, in accordance with rules adopted by the council:

(A) Enter information into the homeless management information system maintained by

the department;

(B) Provide reports regarding the number of landlords and tenants participating in the

program, demographic information about tenants, identified tenant risk factors and the

number and amount of requests for financial assistance made under the program;

(C) Review and verify requests for financial assistance and make payments in accordance

with established department processes for distributing funds; and

(D) Collect data to measure the following program performance outcomes:

(i) Increased housing stability, as measured by the percentage of total program partic-

ipants who reside in and maintain permanent housing for a minimum of 12 months;

(ii) Increased landlord participation, as measured by the percentage increase in the

number of landlords participating in the program; and



(iii) Successful tenant readiness education, as measured by the percentage of tenants

successfully completing the tenant training and receiving certification as described in sub-

section (3) of this section.

(7) Nothing in this section prohibits a landlord from participating in the Housing Choice

Landlord Guarantee Program under ORS 456.375 to 456.390 or the Housing Choice Voucher

Program under 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o).

(8) The department may not pay financial assistance under the Rent Guarantee Program

from any source other than available funds in the Rent Guarantee Program Fund established

in section 3 of this 2017 Act. Amounts due and payable under the program shall not consti-

tute a debt of the state or a lending of the credit of the state within the meaning of any

constitutional or statutory limitation.

(9) The department shall submit an annual report to the interim legislative committees

of the Legislative Assembly related to housing no later than September 15th of each year

regarding the implementation and status of the program, the number of participants in the

program, amounts of financial assistance requested and paid and the performance outcomes

measured by the program.

(10) The council, in consultation with the department, shall adopt rules to implement the

provisions of this section.

SECTION 3. (1) The Rent Guarantee Program Fund is established within the State

Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Rent Guar-

antee Program Fund shall be credited to the fund.

(2) Moneys in the Rent Guarantee Program Fund shall consist of:

(a) Amounts donated to the fund;

(b) Amounts appropriated or otherwise transferred to the fund by the Legislative As-

sembly;

(c) Amounts received from state or federal sources to be deposited into the fund;

(d) Income derived from moneys in the fund; and

(e) Other amounts deposited in the fund from any source.

(3) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Housing and Community

Services Department to carry out the provisions of section 2 of this 2017 Act.

(4) The department may use moneys in the fund to pay the administrative costs associ-

ated with the fund and with implementing and maintaining the Rent Guarantee Program

under section 2 of this 2017 Act.

SECTION 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the General Fund appropriation

made to the Housing and Community Services Department by section 1, chapter _____,

Oregon Laws 2017 (Enrolled House Bill 5012), for the biennium beginning July 1, 2017, is in-

creased by $223,247 for the Rent Guarantee Program.



Passed by House July 5, 2017

..................................................................................

Timothy G. Sekerak, Chief Clerk of House

..................................................................................

Tina Kotek, Speaker of House

Passed by Senate July 7, 2017

..................................................................................

Peter Courtney, President of Senate

Received by Governor:

........................M.,........................................................., 2017

Approved:

........................M.,........................................................., 2017

..................................................................................

Kate Brown, Governor

Filed in Office of Secretary of State:

........................M.,........................................................., 2017

..................................................................................

Dennis Richardson, Secretary of State



Draft – 12/22/17

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

DIVISION 365

RENT GUARANTEE PROGRAM (RGP)

813-365 -0000

Purpose and Objectives OAR chapter 813, division 365, is promulgated to accomplish the general purpose of ORS

458.505, which designates the Housing and Community Services Department as the state agency

responsible for administering state and federal antipoverty programs in Oregon. The Rent

Guarantee Program addressed in this division is one such program subject to department

administration and has as its purpose to provide incentives and financial assistance to landlords

that rent or lease to low-income households by guaranteeing payments to landlords for unpaid

rent and for eviction and property damage costs within limits established by the department.

These rules are subject to the department’s descriptive and procedural rules found in OAR 813,

division 1, to the department’s general rules found in OAR 813, division 5, and in the

department’s general procedures for public contracts and procurements found in OAR 813,

division 6.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 456.555

Stats. Implemented: ORS 458.505, HB 2724

813-365 -0011

Definitions All words and terms that are used in OAR chapter 813, division 365 are defined in the Act and

below. As used in OAR chapter 813, division 365, unless the context indicates otherwise:

(1) "Application" means a program provider's response to the department’s request for

applications to be a program provider and to receive a program grant for that purpose.

(2) “Department” means the Housing and Community Services Department for the State of

Oregon.

(3) “Fund” means the Rent Guarantee Program Fund created within the State Treasury,

separate and distinct from the General Fund.

(4) “Funding agreement” means the grant agreement or other written agreement, together

with all related documents required by the department for program funding, including

those required by the department to be executed by or between the program provider and

the department, all in form and substance satisfactory to the department in its sole

discretion.

(5) "Household income" means the total household income from all sources before taxes.

Income under this definition may be reduced by deductions allowed by the department in

compliance with program requirements. Income does not include assets or funds over

which the applicant or household has no control.

(6) “HUD” means the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(7) “Landlord” means an owner of a dwelling unit that has entered into a rental or lease

agreement with a tenant, including a person who is authorized by the owner to manage

the premises or to enter into a rental agreement and has entered into a program agreement

with the program provider.

(8) "Low income household" means a household with an annual household income that is

sixty (60) percent or less of the area median income based on HUD determined

guidelines, adjusted for family size.


Draft – 12/22/17

(9) “Program” means the Rent Guarantee Program administered by the department pursuant

to this division and other applicable law.

(10) “Program manual” or “manual” means the Rent Guarantee Program Operations Manual

dated ___________, incorporated herein by this reference. The manual may be accessed

online on the department’s website.

(11) "Program provider" means an organization that meets legislative requirements, with

whom the department has contracted to administer program services at the local level.

(12) “Program requirements” means all funding agreement terms and conditions (including

work plan objectives), department administrative rules (including the manual),

department orders and directives (including deficiency notices), terms and conditions of

any relevant request for applications, and other applicable state, local, and federal laws,

rules, orders, regulations, codes, and ordinances (all of the foregoing, including as

amended from time to time).

(13) “Program services” means allowable services for unpaid rent, eviction costs, and property

damage costs, as defined in the program manual and eligible for funding under the

program.

(14) “Tenant” means a low-income household, in Oregon, that experience barriers to

obtaining housing, including, but not limited to poor credit history or ratings; criminal

background history; and/or history of housing evictions; and will be entering into a rental

or lease agreement with a qualified landlord; has completed tenant readiness education

and has not had any prior program claims.

(15) “Tenant Readiness Education” means the department approved curriculum of personal

budgeting, tenant/landlord relationships and other relevant matters taught to eligible

tenants for participation in the program.


Stats. Implemented: ORS 458.505, HB 2724

813- 365 -0021

Administration (1) The department, subject to applicable law, may contract with program providers to

provide program services at the local level upon such terms as it determines to be

satisfactory in its sole discretion.

(2) The department will pool available program funds and make such funds available in

applicable amounts to program providers upon submission of qualifying claims that meet

all requirements established by the department for the form and content of a qualifying

claim as further defined in the funding agreement and program manual.

(3) A program provider shall comply with the terms of the funding agreement and all other

applicable program requirements as determined by the department.

(4) The department may use funds to pay the administrative costs associated with the

delivery of the program within limitations determined by the department.


Stats. Implemented: ORS 458.505


Draft – 12/22/17

813- 365 -0045

Use of Funds Program funds will be used only for eligible services and activities as further defined in the

funding agreement and program manual.



813- 365 -0050

Request for Applications (1) A program provider’s application must adhere to the terms and conditions of the relevant

request for applications issued by the department. A submitted application is subject to

approval (including as modified by the department) or disapproval by the department.

(2) A program provider must only provide program services in compliance with program

requirements, including the terms and conditions of the funding agreement and applicable

request for applications.



813- 365 -0061

Reporting and Recordkeeping (1) Program providers shall maintain accurate financial records satisfactory to the

department, which document, inter alia, the receipt and disbursement of all funds

provided through the program by the department; and have an accounting system in place

satisfactory to the department, which meets, inter alia, generally accepted accounting

principles.

(2) Program providers also shall maintain other program records satisfactory to the

department. Such records shall be in substance and format satisfactory to the department.

(3) Program providers shall provide the department with all required reports, data, and

financial statements in substance and format satisfactory to the department, by

department-determined submission deadlines.

(4) Records identified in this section must be maintained throughout the term of, and in

compliance with, the applicable funding agreement, but not for a period less than six

years, extended by two years following the resolution of any litigation or claims with

respect to the program.



813- 365 -0065

Compliance Monitoring (1) The department may conduct reviews, audits and other compliance monitoring as it

deems appropriate with respect to each program provider, inter alia, to verify compliance

with program requirements. Program providers will cooperate fully with the department

in its compliance monitoring.








PHONE: (503) 986-2000 FAX: (503) 986-2020 TTY: (503) 986-2100

www.ohcs.oregon.gov

TO: Housing Stability Council Members

FROM: Caleb Yant, Chief Financial Officer

Kenny LaPoint, Assistant Director of Public Affairs

DATE: December 26, 2017

SUBJECT: Budget and Legislative Concept Development Process

The purpose of this memo is to introduce the state budget development process and provide

context to Council members regarding the Council’s role as well as the opportunities for

involvement. Oregon Statute provides a broad outline for the Councils involvement by

establishing:

The Council is responsible for studying, commenting on, and advising the Department,

Governor, Legislative Assembly, other state agencies, and local governments concerning

legislation or rules that affect the cost and supply of affordable housing, both before and

after the legislation and rules are enacted. [ORS 456.571]

The Council will advise the Department on personnel, materials, services and capital outlay

items in its biennial budget prior to submittal to DAS. [ORS 456.567, 456.555]

Budget development within state government is a carefully choreographed process with many

pre-established deadlines. At the highest level, state agencies establish priorities related to

statutory changes as well as resource requests. These priorities formulate the Agency Request

Budget which is submitted to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) around August

1, 2018. DAS then works with Agencies and the Governor’s Office to develop a Governor’s

Budget based on her priorities and the fiscal constraints of the statewide enterprise. The

Governor’s Budget will be released around December 31, 2018 in advance of the 2019

legislative session. Ultimately the legislature will take both budgets into consideration as they

create the final Legislatively Adopted Budget for OHCS, dictating programs and resources

between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2021.

This memo is provided now to allow sufficient advanced notice before due dates associated with

Policy Option Packages (POPs) and Legislative Concepts (LCs). POPs and LCs are the primary


December 26, 2017

mechanism by which agencies can modify rules/statutes that impact the supply and cost of

affordable housing, request new funds to begin or augment a program, modify staffing levels,

or renew expenditure limitation and staffing associated with temporary funding sources. POPs

and LCs will align with agency priorities, many of which will be informed through feedback received from

the Statewide Housing Plan (SHP). The Council will receive SHP updates in February and March to

help inform the content of the POPs and LCs. This content will be dictated by the following timeline:

January 5, 2018 • Review process and timeline with Housing Stability Council

Prior to February 2,

2018

• OHCS staff and leadership continue to work with the Governor’s

office, legislative staff, and housing advocates to determine the

legislative agenda and OHCS’s role within that.

February 2, 2018 • OHCS provides preliminary, high-level legislative agenda to the

Housing Stability Council. This will include categorization between

requests to be aware of, requests we intend to support, and request

we intend to submit as an agency.

• Housing Stability Council provides preliminary feedback on

legislative agenda.

March 2, 2018 (if

needed)

• OHCS provides updates and receives additional feedback with

Housing Stability Council regarding legislative agenda.

April 6, 2018 • Final update on legislative agenda informed by outcomes from 2018

short session.

February 2, 2018 to

April 13, 2018

• OHCS staff works to operationalize legislative agenda to determine

specific statutory changes and/or budget requests needed.

• OHCS submits legislative concepts, detailed explanation, and draft

language to DAS.

April 13, 2018

(or April 9, 2018)

LAST DAY to submit legislative concepts to DAS. Agencies with 10 or

more concept requests must submit by April 9, 2018.

April 13, 2018 to

June 1, 2018

• DAS CFO’s office reviews concepts for policy and fiscal issues and

contacts agencies when questions arise.


December 26, 2017

• Governor’s Policy Advisors review requests and recommend whether

or not to approve or deny concept to move forward for drafting.

• DAS notifies agency of final action.

• DAS sends approved concepts to Legislative Counsel for drafting.

June 1, 2018 LAST DAY for DAS to submit approved concepts to Legislative

Counsel for drafting.

June 8, 2018

(or June 6, 2018)

LAST DAY to submit additional placeholder information to DAS.

Agencies with 5 or more placeholders must submit by June 6, 2018.

June 30, 2018 LAST DAY to submit POP fiscal and staffing impacts to DAS

June 8, 2018 to

July 9, 2018

• CFO analysts and other key staff review additional information for

policy and fiscal issues and contact agency when questions arise.

• Governor’s Policy Advisors review additional information and

recommend

whether or not to move forward.

• DAS notifies agency of final action.

• DAS sends approved placeholder information to Legislative Counsel.

July 9, 2018 LAST DAY for DAS to submit approved placeholder information to

Legislative Counsel for drafting.

August 1, 2018 LAST DAY for OHCS to submit our Agency Request Budget

December 7, 2018

LAST DAY to pre-session file bills for 2019 Legislative Session.

With approval from Governor, DAS pre-session files agency concepts.

Developing the legislative agenda and associated budget request is done in conjunction with

the Governor’s Office and in support of her agenda. Within those parameters, OHCS desires for

the Housing Stability Council to provide guidance on priorities for the agency to take a

leadership role in promoting.



OHCS Housing Stability Council Council Charter – draft December 18, 2017

1737 NE Alberta Street #205 ● Portland, Oregon 97211 ● 503-249-0000 ● www.solidgroundconsulting.com

Purpose

Oregon faces an affordable housing crisis, with profound public health implications. The crisis

is driven by a range of factors playing out in different communities: insufficient housing supply

to meet demand; insufficient funding for development and preservation of affordable housing

and for addressing the needs of people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness; lack of

controls on rent or ownership pricing; insufficient wages; and economic stagnation in low-

income communities, particularly in rural economies. In communities across the state,

vulnerable people are unable to secure safe and decent homes.

When viewed through a public health lens, housing stability is fundamental to individual and

community success. Studies have shown that children who live in stable homes perform better

in school. Research demonstrates that moving people into affordable housing reduces the costs

to health care systems, with fewer Medicaid claims, fewer emergency room visits, and more

primary care visits. Housing stability and employment stability fit hand-in-glove. Housing

combined with community-based services to support mental health and addiction recovery,

reduce criminal recidivism and homelessness, provide job training, and offer other

opportunities, has the potential to move people from poverty and desperation to prosperity and

hope.

Bottom line: Stable, affordable housing is the platform on which individual, household and

community resiliency are built. As the state’s housing finance agency, Oregon Housing and

Community Services Department develops and implements policy, funding, and financing to

support the creation and preservation of quality affordable housing and the provision of

community-based services for lower- and moderate-income Oregonians. The Housing Stability

Council, the Department’s advisory body, guides and advocates for the agency’s work.

This charter details the Council’s roles, responsibilities, and authority as defined in Oregon

Revised Statutes (ORS).

Roles, Responsibilities, and Authority

The Council helps establish strategic direction and a policy framework for OHCS.

To meet the housing and services needs of low- and moderate-income Oregonians, the Housing

Stability Council will establish the Department’s strategic direction and a policy framework to

guide the Department’s policy decisions. The Council, in collaboration with the Department

and community partners, will assist with the development of the Department’s strategic plan,

and set policies and priorities to increase the supply of affordable housing throughout the state

and to enhance the funding for and focus the provision of community services. Priorities are

codified in the Statewide Housing Plan.

In addition to establishing strategy and policies for the Department, the Council will approve

rules and standards for the development and management of the development and

revitalization of affordable housing and set policy direction for specific rounds of competitive

funding. The Council will also provide high level input for the use of Community Service


Housing Stability Council – draft charter December 18, 2017

funding that supports the strategic direction of the Department and works towards an

integrated focus of its various community service programs as well as toward the housing

needs of individuals and families. With broad housing and service opportunity in mind, the

Council will set policies that ensure distribution of funds to those areas with the greatest need,

and that will aid in the stimulation of development and service activity to address the needs of

low-income Oregonians, with thoughtful consideration of geographic and racial disparities.

The Council helps the Director to foster constructive partnerships with other state

agencies and key partners engaged in housing and community services.

Whenever possible and practical, the Council will seek opportunities to complement the

priorities and activities of other state and federally funded agencies – such as Community

Action Partnership of Oregon (CAPO), Department of Human Services (DHS), and Oregon

Health Authority (OHA), among others – that work to assist low-income Oregonians.

The Council sets policy for and approves loans, grants, and funding awards.

To expedite the acquisition and rehabilitation or construction of affordable housing and to

ensure proper stewardship of funds, the Council will set policies for the distribution of funds

and approve loans, grants and funds in a manner consistent with the Department’s established

strategies and policies. It may assist with the drafting of RFPs and NOFAs to meet specific

council goals, policies, and strategies.

The Council will approve threshold property purchase prices and awards above such

thresholds; it also approves short term, non-interest-bearing advances to non-profit sponsors for

housing projects. Additionally, the Council may adopt a policy that gives loan guarantee

preference to loans for low-income housing, or structures containing both commercial and low-

income housing components, for which the Department has provided a grant, loan, tax credit or

other investment.

In the spirit of fiduciary oversight, the Council will approve fees, charges and interest set by the

Department and set terms, income limits, and governing rules for loans made through the sale

of state bonds. Also, the Council may adopt a formula that optimizes the interests of the lender

and the developer, and ensures long-term durability of units in which state funds are invested.

To ensure that the broad range of housing needs are met, in addition to the above, the Council

will ensure that some funds are directed to financing for manufactured housing and will adopt

criteria for the approval of Elderly and Disabled housing projects.

The Council advises policy-makers.

To mitigate unintended or negative consequences arising from legislation or policies promoted

by various agencies and jurisdictions, the Council advises the Department, elected leaders, and

rule makers about legislation or rules that will affect the supply or cost of affordable housing.

The Council assists with the adoption of legislative priorities and the crafting of bills prior to

each legislative session; in fulfilling this role, the Council may seek input or recommendations

from the Director and Department staff as well as partner organizations such as CAPO. With



the approval of the Governor, the Council may initiate legal proceedings in the name of the

Council to further the Council’s purposes, if necessary.

The Council informs the Director’s annual operating plan and biennial budget, and

oversees OHCS operations through regular reports from the Director.

Each year the Council will weigh in on the Department’s annual operating plan and will receive

regular status update reports from the director throughout the year. If the goals and strategies

within the plan are not met, the Council will advise the Director as appropriate.

Prior to submission and approval of a biennial budget, the Director and Department staff will

review the operating budget with the Council and the Council will provide input pertaining to

matters of personnel, services, and capital outlay.

The Council will create a communication plan that specifies roles and responsibilities for

Council and Department in setting the Department’s strategic direction and policies as well as

defining the relationship with CAPO. The Department will be responsible to execute the

communication plan.

The Council advocates at all levels on behalf of the Department and affordable housing.

To ensure the highest chance of success for the Department, the Council will act as a champion

of the Department to the Governor, legislature, stakeholders and the public at large. The

Council will coordinate with the Department in all outreach and engagement efforts, to ensure

broad support for the Department and its activities.

Priority-setting and decision-making

The Council will identify priority issues for its attention each year, and calendar these

discussions. Council debate should focus on broader questions of OHCS mission and policy,

rather than specific financing decisions about projects or service delivery.

Decision-making process

Unless an issue requires an immediate decision when it comes before the Council, the Council’s

protocol is to be briefed about the issue in appropriate detail to support decision-making, and to

have adequate time to discuss the issue, but to defer decision-making to the following

regularly-scheduled Council meeting. Decisions will be made by majority vote.

Specific authority from statute and Council-defined roles

The Council helps establish strategic direction and a policy framework for OHCS.

The Council will advise the Department in establishing statewide priorities for housing

programs. [ORS 456.559]. These priorities are codified in the Statewide Housing Plan.

The Council will advise the Director in developing a strategic plan for the Department.

The Council will develop policies to increase the supply of affordable housing. [ORS

456.571]



The Council will approve maximum income limits for housing projects financed by the

Department. [ORS 456.620]

The Council will approve standards for planning, development, and management of

affordable housing. [ORS 456.620]

The Council shall set policy and shall approve or disapprove rules and standards for

housing programs. [ORS 456.555]

The Council will adopt rules for housing revitalization programs. [ORS 458.310]

The Council will set policy direction for specific rounds of competitive funding.

The Council shall have a policy of distributing funds statewide while concentrating funds in

those areas of this state with the greatest need, as determined by the Council. [ORS 458.310,

458.625, 458.655]

The Council shall develop policies to aid in stimulating and increasing the supply of

housing for persons and families of lower income. [ORS 456.571]

The Council shall develop policies to address geographic and racial disparities. [ORS

456.571]

The Council shall develop policies to ensure funds distributed by the Housing and

Community Services Department contribute to addressing other state priorities. [ORS

456.571].

The Director may seek advice from the Council on any matter within the scope of the

Department.

The Council helps the Director to foster constructive partnerships with other state

agencies and key partners engaged in housing and community services.

The Council may consult with DHS regarding project applications for housing for people

with disabilities. [ORS 456.541]

The Council will coordinate homelessness relief efforts in conjunction with the Community

Action Partnership of Oregon. [ORS 456.571]

The Council will cooperate with and assist local Housing Authorities for waivers to make

the distribution of federal rent assistance as efficient as possible. [ORS 456.395]

The Council sets policy for and approves loans, grants, and funding awards.

The Council shall approve threshold property purchase prices, housing grants, and other

funding limits above which its review and approval are required. [ORS 456.555, 456.561]

The Council shall review and approve awards above the threshold amounts. [ORS 456.555,

456.561]

The Council will approve fees, charges, and interest set by the Department. [ORS 456.625]

The Council will approve non-interest-bearing advances for housing projects to qualified

nonprofit sponsors until mortgage funds are released to repay advances. [ORS 456.559]



The Council will set terms, income limits, governing rules, and has final approval of loans

made through bond sales. [ORS 456.690]

The Council will ensure the Department provides financing for manufactured housing.

[ORS 456.620]

The Council will adopt criteria for the approval of Elderly and Disabled Housing projects.

[ORS 456.539]

The Council will exercise its responsibilities and powers to expedite the acquisition and

rehabilitation or construction of affordable housing. [ORS 456.571]

The Council may adopt a policy that gives loan guarantee preference to loans for low-

income housing, or structures containing both commercial and low-income housing

components, for which the Department has provided a grant, loan, tax credit or other

investment. [ORS 458.630] (“May” is somewhat ambiguous)

The Council may adopt a formula that optimizes the interests of the lender and the

developer and the working life of the low-income units for funds provided through the

Housing Development and Guarantee Account. [ORS 458.630] (Again, “may” is ambiguous)

The Council may assist in drafting NOFAs and RFPs. [Adopted by Council, January 2017]

The Council advises policy-makers.

The Council is responsible for studying, commenting on, and advising the Department,

Governor, Legislative Assembly, other state agencies, and local governments concerning

legislation or rules that affect the cost and supply of affordable housing, both before and

after the legislation and rules are enacted. [ORS 456.571]

The Council, with the approval of the Governor, may initiate legal proceedings in the name

of the Council to further the Council’s purposes. [ORS 456.571]

The Director participates in Council discussions and may suggest policies and rules to the

Council, including those necessary to stimulate and increase the supply of housing for

persons and families of lower income. [ORS 456.559]

The Council informs the Director’s annual operating plan and biennial budget, and

oversees OHCS operations through regular reports from the Director.

The Council will receive regular reports from the Director. [ORS 456.555]

The Director will seek input from the Council on the Department’s annual plan. [Adopted

by Council, January 2017]

The Council will advise the Department on personnel, materials, services and capital outlay

items in its biennial budget prior to submittal to DAS. [ORS 456.567, 456.555]

The Council will work with the Department to develop a communication plan specifying

roles and responsibilities. [Adopted by Council, January 2017]



The Council advocates at all levels on behalf of the Department and affordable housing.

The Council will align with the Director in all outreach and coordination activities.

[Adopted by Council, January 2017]

The Council is a champion of the Department with the Governor, Legislature, stakeholders,

and public. [Adopted by Council, January 2017]


Oregon Housing and Community Services Department

Housing Stability Council Job Description – Draft December 18, 2017

Overview

Knowledge. Energy. Commitment. Like legs on a stool, all three are needed to support the

mission of the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department: to provide stable and

affordable housing and engage leaders, to develop integrated statewide policy that addresses

poverty and provides opportunity for Oregonians. That mission defines our agency’s effort

toward a future in which all Oregonians can prosper, free from poverty.

The Housing Stability Council has the fundamental responsibility to both guide and advance

the work of the Department. The Council guides the Department by advising on policy and

funding for affordable housing and community services in Oregon. It advances the Department

by investing in strategic and generative thinking, advocacy, and strategic relationships.

Fiduciary responsibilities – Providing overall fiscal oversight for the Department’s budget,

risk management, executive limitations. Setting policy for the operation of the Department

in its stewardship and deployment of funds for the development of affordable housing and

the delivery of services. Approving and recommending housing funding decisions above

prescribed thresholds.

Strategic responsibilities – Defining vision, mission, and intended outcomes; overseeing

implementation of the mission; and measuring impact.

Generative responsibilities – Helping to shape the identity, a consumer-oriented and

collaborative culture, and the core values of the Department. Tending to organizational

resilience and evolution, including a strong focus on sustainable leadership.

A strong commitment to affordable housing and community services is a prerequisite for

serving on the Housing Stability Council. We seek leaders with diverse talents and deep

community connections who reflect the breadth of organizations in this field and the communities

they serve across our state, and who expect to contribute in a meaningful way to the work of a

cohesive and effective advisory body.

Expectations

Housing Stability Council members are drawn from across the state, to support broad

geographic representation. Members bring important connections with key institutions and

constituencies – from Community Action agencies, farmworker housing organizations, and

culturally-specific organizations to local governments and academic institutions, among others.

They bring knowledge and experience from other sectors – such as public health, energy

efficiency, and transportation – to enrich the conversation about what people need to live

healthy, stable lives. Council service is about providing leadership, relationships, and

resources.

Leadership. We seek leaders who are prepared to step up and contribute enthusiastically.


Council Member Job Description draft December 18, 2017

Relationships. We seek Council members with good relations with the affordable housing

and community services fields, good relations with policymakers at all levels of

government, and a willingness to connect us to their personal and professional networks.

Because meeting the mission and goals of the Department is dependent upon the success of

its partners, it’s critical that the Council set the tone for a customer-friendly, consumer-

oriented organization that collaborates with service providers, developers, and asset

managers to serve people in need in every corner of the state.

Resources. We need members with time capacity to actively engage with, advocate for, and

advise the Department.

Requirements for Council Service

Council members are expected to have the following:

Demonstrated interest in affordable housing, community development, social services,

and/or anti-poverty policy, programs, or funding in Oregon.

Specific experience and/or knowledge in at least one of the following areas: affordable

housing policy, finance, development, or asset management; community services policy and

provision; public policy regarding urban or regional planning, poverty, social determinants

of health.

Ability to guide the Department strategically and generationally, at the 30,000-foot level and

with a long-game perspective.

Willingness to expand their knowledge and effectiveness through orientation and training.

Responsibilities

Council members are expected to do the following:

Advise on and advocate for policies and funding to provide affordable housing and

community services in Oregon.

Set policy for the Department as set forth in the Council’s statutory duties.

Set policy for and approve loans, grants, and funding awards per statute.

Communicate with elected officials, agency partners, housing and community development

professionals, and members of the public in a respectful, open, and honest manner that

fosters an atmosphere of mutual confidence and collegiality.

Represent all of Oregon, not just their own organizations, geography, or constituencies.

Represent the Department in a positive and professional manner at all times and in all

places, connecting it to the community, building strategic relationships, and actively

encouraging support for the Department’s mission.

Attend and participate in all meetings of the Council. This includes reading material

provided in advance to support discussion, arriving at meetings prepared to contribute to

the discussion of issues and business to be addressed, and taking care of business at


Council Member Job Description draft December 18, 2017

meetings. Fully engage in discussion at the Council meeting: robust vetting of ideas and

disagreements are encouraged and welcomed.

To the extent possible, attend ground-breakings and other local community events.

Demonstrate knowledge of the Department and personal commitment to its goals.

Serve on at least one standing committee and attend all meetings of that committee. Accept

assignments on special committees or task forces at the request of the chair. Ad hoc

committees offer additional opportunities for involvement. See Committee Structure, below.

Avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest between the position of Council Member

and personal and professional interests. When a conflict of interests exists, abide by the

State of Oregon’s conflict of interest policy.

Committee Structure

The Council needs contributed talent and connections in the areas of affordable housing

development and asset management, social services delivery, finance, and public policy. The

committees direct Council activity into those key areas:

Standing committees Ad hoc committees

Executive

?

?

Public Policy

NOFA Development

Application Scoring

Time commitment

Council service varies from month to month, and some Council members will commit more

time than others. Generally, in any given month, Council members can expect to invest:

7-10 hours Council meetings/prep (monthly, plus an annual planning retreat)

2-3 hours Committee meetings/prep (monthly to quarterly, depending on committee)

1-3 hours Special requests (based on availability)

2-6 hours Community and legislative engagement (based on availability)

A total of 12 to 22 hours per month, on average.


Members:

Aubre Dickson, Chair

Tammy Baney

Michael C. Fieldman

Anna Geller

Zee D. Koza

Gerardo F. Sandoval, PhD

Tricia Tillman

Adolph “Val” Valfre, Jr.

Charles Wilhoite

Housing Stability Council 725 Summer St NE, Suite B

Salem OR 97301-1266

Phone: 503-986-2000

FAX: 503-986-2020

TTY: 503-986-2100

Documents

Housing Stability Council - Oregon · Housing Stability Council ... Geller and Sandoval joined the meeting by phone. Public Comment . ... 2017 meeting notes. Hearing none