Projects in Curry, Yamhill and Union counties to benefit.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas, today announced $9.1 million in federal awards and loans for water infrastructure and affordable housing projects in Curry, Yamhill and Union counties.
“Every Oregonian deserves access to clean, reliable drinking water and an affordable place to call home,” Wyden said. “This federal investment will directly support rural communities across our state by upgrading critical water infrastructure in Brookings, and preserving affordable housing for working families and seniors in Newberg and La Grande. This is good news, and I’ll keep fighting to secure similar federal resources that improve everyday life for all Oregonians.”
“This federal investment will help support both housing and water infrastructure – two critical needs that I’ve heard about time and time again from Oregon’s rural communities,” said Merkley, the former top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that funds USDA. “These funds from USDA will help ensure seniors and families in rural Oregon have access to affordable housing and clean, safe drinking water.”
“It’s a great day when we see strong investments on the ground in our communities,” said Rep. Hoyle. “This funding directly invests in our water infrastructure and expands affordable housing. In Congress, I’ll continue fighting for funding that reinvests in our communities and brings taxpayer dollars back to Oregon.”
“Oregon is already about 140,000 homes short of what we need. That shortage is driving up costs and making it harder for families to find a home they can afford,” said Rep. Salinas. “We need to build more housing while preserving the affordable homes we already have. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding to renovate these homes in Newberg that will improve living conditions for families and make sure rural Oregonians can continue to live with dignity in the communities they call home.”
The $9.1 million in federal awards from the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program and will be distributed as follows:
- $1 million grant to the City of Brookings to support the replacement of a portion of its water distribution system along Easy Street that contains asbestos concrete and cast iron pipe. Fire hydrants along the route will also be replaced with new water services to the existing water meters and will include new touch read water meter boxes.
- $5.6 million loan to Cascade Peaks Apartments in Newberg to renovate and maintain an affordable multifamily housing complex that supports 10 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom and two three-bedroom units.
- $2.5 million loan to Cascade Peaks Apartments in La Grande to renovate and maintain an affordable senior housing complex that supports 39 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom units.
“The preservation of these properties is really focused on the households. Not only are we extending the federal rent assistance long term, the scope of the rehab will bring the projects up to a ‘like new’ condition, and of course, we hope that this will be a home they will be proud to bring their friends and family to,” said Shelly Cullin, Director of Development for Chrisman Development, Inc.
A web version of the release is here.
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