Agency uses new non-competitive funding process based on project readiness
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) allocates $10 million to create 63 affordable homes in the Oregon Coast and Metro region. The agency used a new non-competitive process to award the funding called Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA).
OHCS launched ORCA earlier this year to replace the traditional individual Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) with a more efficient and equitable system, ensuring quicker allocation of funds based on project readiness. The first funding reservation approvals under ORCA were granted to Lighthouse Village Apartments in Lincoln City and Shortstack Belmont Apartments in Portland. The projects will now receive a letter of intent to fund so the project can leverage other resources as needed and to firm up the project’s readiness for next steps.
“Governor Kotek’s housing production goals are a call for action. ORCA is one way the agency is developing new ways of working to help get housing built more quickly,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Innovation is at its best when done through the lens of advancing progress for the people of Oregon. Our aim is to grow new ideas and make sure the people we serve can benefit from it. Lighthouse Village Apartments and Shortstack Belmont Apartments mark the beginning of a new chapter of affordable housing development.”
ORCA’s innovative approach involves three key steps: Impact Assessment, Financial Eligibility, and Commitment. This structured process guarantees that projects are ready to financially close within six months of completing the last step in the process, expediting the development of much-needed affordable housing.
Through ORCA, OHCS works to maximize housing production resources, support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led organizations, ensure urban and rural development, and center tenants in building design and funding strategies. By simplifying the funding process and providing clear, flexible resources, OHCS aims to meet the critical housing needs of Oregon’s diverse communities.
For more information about ORCA and the application process, please visit Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA).
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About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.