Community Development Partners and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation Receive Final Pieces of Funding Needed to Move Forward on Affordable Housing Development in Hood River, OR
June 19, 2024
Artist Rendering, Holst Architecture
Hood River, OR (June 19, 2024) – Community Development Partners (CDP) and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation (CCHC) have been awarded $36.4 million in private activity bonds and a 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation of $3.2 million by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), the final pieces of funding needed to move forward on their Hood River affordable housing development located at 780 Rand Road.
This award completes the project’s financing and follows a $15.1 million award by OHCS as part of the 2023 Local Innovation Fast Track (LIFT) program and a $3 million award in the 2023 federal omnibus spending bill. The project has also secured 39 Project-Based Vouchers from the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority. Construction is expected to begin early 2025, with the first units available for move-in in Fall 2026.
In 2021, CDP and CCHC were selected as the City of Hood River’s preferred development team for the site—a 7.15-acre parcel the City purchased in January 2020 for the purpose of developing affordable housing.
“We’ve reached another significant milestone and we’re thrilled to be advancing this important community development in partnership with the City of Hood River, CDP and our financing partner,” said Joel Madsen, Executive Director of CCHC. “We’re one step closer toward addressing the dire need of our lower income neighbors to find an affordable place to call home in Hood River.”
“This project has truly been a collaboration in every sense of the word,” said Mayor Paul Blackburn. “After years of effort, we are excited to receive this critical piece of funding. Now, we may begin the next chapter of work to help fill the affordable housing gap, so that people of all incomes can call Hood River home.”
When completed, the project will provide 130 units of affordable, intergenerational housing for households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income. The project design places a strong emphasis on community building, the natural environment and sustainability by incorporating a community center, walking trails and outdoor green space. The entire development is designed to achieve a National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certification and the community center, specifically, has plans for a rooftop solar array and is aiming to achieve Energy Trust of Oregon’s Net Zero certification.
780 Rand Road will also be a “Community For All Ages”—a place that puts people first by creating spaces and programming that connects residents across generations. In addition to services offered by CCHC, EngAGE Northwest will provide intergenerational learning, wellness and creativity programs, which may include after school clubs, outdoor education, exercise and cooking classes, among others.
“This project embodies our team’s shared commitment to community building, environmental stewardship, and inclusive design,” said Eric Paine, CEO of CDP. “Together, we’re creating not just housing, but a vibrant, intergenerational community where residents can thrive. This financing milestone is a critical achievement and marks another step forward in our mission to provide affordable housing solutions in Hood River.”
CDP and CCHC are co-owners/developers of the project. It is being designed by Holst Architecture and will be built by Walsh Construction. Portland State University’s Center for Public Interest Design conducted the pre-development community engagement and outreach based on Asset Based Community Development principles. Resident services will be provided by CCHC and EngAGE Northwest, and property management by Guardian Management.
Currently, there is no sign-up or waitlist for housing at 780 Rand Road, however, those in need of affordable housing can learn more about their options on Columbia-Cascade Housing Corporation’s website: https://www.columbiacascadehousingcorp.org.
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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 55 unique projects comprising 5,100+ units throughout Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado.
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.
