| 2008 News Releases |
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Call for Entries: Housing and Community Services Excellence Awards
Salem, Oregon (August 14, 2008) - Oregon Housing and Community Services is soliciting nominations for its 2008 Excellence Awards. Winners will be announced at the OHCS Conference in early October in Salem.
"The nominees are the cornerstone of our communities," Victor Merced, the agency director, said. "They ensure that all Oregon citizens, regardless of income, have fair and open access to housing and the necessary supportive services to meet their daily needs."
The deadline for nominations has been extended to August 31, 2008.
 Full Story
Contact:
Sandy McDonnell, 503.986.2012
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Conference Creates Opportunities to Thrive
Salem, Oregon (August 13, 2008) – Oregon’s capital will be alive with activity on October 6 - 8, 2008, as housing and service partners from around the state share lessons learned and offer new opportunities for involvement during the 2008 Oregon Housing and Community Services Creating Opportunities to Thrive Conference.
The conference is designed to engage participants, preparing them to take decisive action on behalf of vulnerable Oregonians. "Housing markets are in turmoil, energy prices are gobbling the American dollar, and the overall economy sags," notes Victor Merced, director, Oregon Housing and Community Services. "This is a time within our state, and the nation's history, that demands action."
Full Story
Contact:
Sandy McDonnell, 503.986.2012
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Oregon to receive millions from housing stimulus bill
Salem, Oregon (July 30, 2008) – Oregon homebuyers and renters will derive many millions of dollars from the housing bill signed today by the president, according to Victor Merced, director, Oregon Housing and Community Services.
This rescue for the deeply troubled housing-finance industry, the Housing and Economic recovery Act of 2008, is aimed at restoring public trust in the housing market. It does so by bolstering the financial standing of loan insurers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and by addressing severe challenges faced by the public confronted with escalating mortgage payments and falling home values.
Full Story
Contact:
Rick Crager, 503.986.2076
John Fletcher, 503.986.6721
Floyd Smith, 503.986.6747
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State approves housing funds generating over $67.3 million in economic activity across Oregon
Salem, Oregon (July 7, 2008) -Fifteen low-income housing projects throughout Oregon will receive funding through the Oregon Housing and Community Services spring 2008 funding cycle, OHCS Director Victor Merced announced today.
These combined grants, loans and tax credits will amount to nearly $39.6million in total project costs, which will support construction or rehabilitation of 263 units of affordable housing around the state. The projects will generate approximately $67.3 million in economic activity throughout the state’s economy.
Full Story
Contact:
Betty Markey 503.986.2116
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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‘A Home for Hope’: Governor’s Homelessness Prevention Plan Revealed
Salem, Oregon (June 18, 2008) – The framework to end homelessness in Oregon, dubbed A Home for Hope, will be presented to state and local officials and community leaders at the Leadership Homelessness Summit on Thursday, June 19, on the campus of Willamette University .
“The kickoff of the 10-year plan has received substantial support from leaders who are intent on ending homelessness,” Rick Crager, chair of the Ending Homelessness Advisory Council , said. “More than 130 are expected to attend, which demonstrates a substantial commitment. They will share best practices necessary in crafting their own local plans and discuss proven strategies that reduce homelessness.”
Full Story
Contact:
Rick Crager, 503.986.2076
Roberto Franco, 503.986.6732
Floyd Smith, 503.986.6747
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State awards funds for housing rehabilitation
Salem, Oregon (April 29, 2008) – Non-metropolitan areas across Oregon are in store for federal housing rehabilitation funds distributed by the state.
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) recently awarded more than $2.7 million in federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds under the “non-entitlement” Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to fix low-income, owner-occupied homes. Separately, metropolitan areas, dubbed “entitled,” receive rehabilitation funds directly from HUD.
Full Story
Contact:
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
Lynn Shoessler 503.986.2073
Ernie Kirchner 503.986.2136
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State seeds Habitat’s revolving loan fund
Portland, Oregon (April 16, 2008) - Habitat for Humanity of Oregon will use its $500,000 interest-free loan from Oregon Housing and Community Services as seed money for a revolving loan fund available to the 34 Habitat affiliates across the state.
Full Story
Contact:
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
Patricia Day TenEyck 360.991.1056
Amy Buringrud 503.758.5620
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$6.2 million dedicated to “build” Oregonians out of poverty
Portland, Oregon (February 14, 2008) – The opportunity for low-income Oregonians to “build assets” has received a $6.2 million boost.
Asset building by means of individual development accounts (IDAs) achieved this milestone through collaboration between Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and the Neighborhood Partnership Fund (NPF), which awarded the funds to six nonprofit agencies serving 30 counties.
Full Story
Contact:
Janet Byrd 503.226.3001 ext. 103
Rick Crager 503.986.2076
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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$191 million authorized for first-time homebuyer assistance
Salem, Oregon (January 30, 2008) – Oregon’s first-time homebuyers will benefit from action by the Private Activity Bond Committee to allocate almost $191 million in tax-exempt bond authority to the state’s housing finance agency, OHCS.
Oregon Housing and Community Services, accordingly, will issue these bonds over the next several years for first-time homebuyer loans through the agency’s Residential Loan Program. This allocation will support the long-term availability of resources for homeownership in the state.
Full Story
Contact:
Rick Crager 503.986.2076
Bob Larson 503.986.2058
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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Oregon Housing Council pushes to preserve affordable housing
Salem, Oregon (January 15, 2008) – Members of the Oregon State Housing Council will appear before the House Revenue Committee this Thursday to advocate for “preservation” of subsidized affordable housing, as requested by legislators.
Full Story
Contact:
Scott Cooper 541.447.6555
Rick Crager 503.986.2076
Floyd Smith 503.986.6747
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For More Information:
Contact:
Floyd Smith
Agency Affairs Director
503.986.6747
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