Community Development Partners and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation receive $15.1 million in LIFT Funds for Affordable Housing Development in Hood River, OR

July 18, 2023

Hood River, OR (July 18, 2023) – Community Development Partners (CDP) and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation (CCHC) have been awarded $15.1 million from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) for their Hood River Affordable Housing Development. The project will include 129 units of rental housing for households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income, as well as a community center, walking trails, green space and parking. The funds were awarded by OHCS as part of the 2023 Local Innovation Fast Track (LIFT) program, which awarded $103.5 million to fund affordable housing projects across the state.

“We are ecstatic to be advancing this important community development that leverages federal, state and local resources in Hood River and are eager for the day when 129 lower income households will get the keys to their new affordable home,” said Joel Madsen, CCHC’s Executive Director.

In 2021, CDP and CCHC were selected as the City of Hood River’s preferred development team for 780 Rand Road — a 7.15acre parcel the City purchased in January 2020 for the purpose of developing affordable housing. According to a 2022 report by ECONorthwest, 48% of renters and 37% of homeowners in Hood River are cost burdened, paying more than 30% of their income toward housing.

In addition to the LIFT funds, CDP and CCHC plan to apply to OHCS for 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits and taxexempt bonds next year to complete the project’s financing. In December 2023, CCHC was awarded $3 million in the 2023 federal omnibus spending bill for the development. The project has also secured 39 Project Based Vouchers from the MidColumbia Housing Authority.

“CDP is thrilled to have secured the LIFT funds from OHCS, which allow this important project to become a reality,” said Eric Paine, CEO of CDP. “Like many of Oregon’s rural communities, the Hood River region has a severe shortage of affordable housing. We’re grateful to be able to play a part in alleviating the crisis and bringing amenity rich housing to 129 households in need.”

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About Community Development Partners

Founded in 2011, Community Development Partners develops and operates sustainable, life-enhancing affordable housing with a focus on long term community engagement and innovative design. As a mission-driven, forward-thinking organization, CDP is focused exclusively on creating vibrant affordable housing communities that incorporate art, public parks, gardens, fresh food, and cultural and social programming. Today, CDP has successfully built, preserved or is actively developing over 45 unique projects comprising 4,200+ units throughout Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.

About Columbia-Cascade Housing Corporation

Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit affordable housing developer whose purpose is to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing that is affordable to very low-, low- and moderate-income persons. CCHC operates within Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties in Oregon as well as Klickitat and Skamania Counties in Washington.