| Sustainability in Oregon |
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| What is Sustainability? |
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Sustainability asks that we look beyond immediate benefit and cost to the systemic and long term nature of choice on the health and prosperity of all Oregonians, now and in the future. The investments and operations of state agencies reflect the Governor´s goals of increasing economic, environmental and social stability throughout Oregon.
A central site for information on sustainability in Oregon is provided on the Sustainable Oregon Web site.
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| How is OHCS Involved? |
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As comprehensive as the spectrum of sustainability is, OHCS has incorporated sustainable practices and resources in program areas as well as internal operations. The agency has diligently sought partnerships and opportunities to further the cause of sustainability. Below are some examples.
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| Sustainability Activities* |
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Internet Access in Affordable Housing
OHCS is developing a plan to ensure new affordable housing units for high speed Internet connections during initial construction. Wiring units up front saves money compared to post-construction installation. OHCS will develop partnerships for bulk computer purchases, making them more affordable for tenants. Having computer access will help low- and moderate-income residents with education, job search, and other important areas. OHCS will work with the private sector and nonprofit partners, bankers, the Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to move this project forward.
Housing as Economic Stimulus
To optimize the economic benefit of housing development, OHCS will be strategic in the placement of future housing to take advantage of communities that are ready for development and have workforce housing needs. In addition, the agency will be completing studies of the economic impacts of affordable housing in Oregon. OHCS will develop valid projections about the specific impacts of construction of affordable projects in Oregon using national models and anecdotal data from actual developments.
By becoming more familiar with the specific economic effects of affordable housing projects, and by coordinating more closely with other statewide economic development projects underway, OHCS expects to achieve greater results from the housing and community services dollars available. More importantly, the studies will help state and local policymakers understand the direct and secondary economic benefits of affordable housing. This understanding can then serve as a foundation for determining the target levels of affordable housing that should be set in order to maximize economic sustainability in communities throughout the state.
Hunger Relief & Food Security
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ranked Oregon "The Hungriest State in the Nation" for the last several years. OHCS heads an interagency council on hunger and provides administrative support for the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force. Additionally, the interagency council has been tasked by the Governor´s office to help develop the Governor´s strategic plan to end hunger in Oregon. OHCS works with community-based partners, including the Oregon Food Bank, the regional coordinating agencies, community action agencies, and faith-based organizations for example, to eliminate hunger in Oregon. In 2003-05, OHCS will expand the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, serving children and seniors.
Read more about Act to End Hunger, Oregon´s five-year plan released in 2004.
Interagency Cooperation
Purchasing, Materials & Energy Use, Building & Facilities, Employee Development
The sustainability changes implemented by OHCS will encourage similar changes throughout private industry. Advances in visitability, in feeding the hungry, in providing Internet access, and locating developments using Smart Growth strategies are concepts that apply on a wide scale. In the long term, these practices should become normal practice and become the industry standard. OHCS will be working with partners and other state agencies to see that sustainability practices become more widespread throughout the state.
Internal Communication and Education Program
The education plan begins with the completion of the 2003-05 Sustainability Plan. The plan was reviewed and approved by the Sustainability Board in February 2004, posted on the agency’s Web site, and distributed to partners and interested parties. The Regional Advisors to the Director (RADs) will also be trained on the Sustainability Plan and given copies to distribute to their contacts in the field. A presentation will be made to OHCS managers and administrators on the plan, and corresponding presentations will be made to divisions and work groups throughout the Department during the third quarter of 2004. Follow up discussions will be scheduled with each division on their sustainability progress each quarter. As appropriate, work teams will be formed to work on developing strategies for greater efficiencies in sustainability areas.
Other training workshops will be scheduled throughout the biennium for our partners.
Specialized target areas include:
- packaging and utilization of the Business Energy Tax Credit in connection with affordable housing weatherization.
- new green building practices.
- new visitability requirements.
- new internet wiring requirements.
- recycled building materials practices.
Internal Efficiencies
As part of a continuous improvement effort, OHCS will examine internal operations to identify ways to use our resources more efficiently. Activities will include developing more efficient business practices, eliminating duplicate processes, cutting energy requirements, reducing travel, streamlining work, and other efficiency measures.
Regulatory Streamlining: As part of the agency´s strategic plan, a work team has been assigned to identify procedures, regulations, and practices of the agency where efficiency gains may be found. Through simplification and the use of computerized forms and information, these practices will become more effective and will save time and effort for our customers and partners, thereby enhancing their productivity, maximizing revenue and asset building, as well as reducing resource consumption. One important initiative in this area will be the implementation of our OPUS network, centralizing data collection from our local service providers.
Review of Practices: A systematic review of office product purchases will be made to identify possible ways to use more sustainable products (products using sustainable materials, products produced locally, etc.). OHCS will work closely with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and other agency Sustainability Coordinators to identify and implement other sustainability practices in purchasing, energy usage, recycling, travel, and other areas.
Old Computers: OHCS is operating under a memorandum of understanding with our partners to "loan out" old computers when computers are upgraded. This enables our partners and customers to benefit from these resources at no additional cost and reduces waste volume.
Social Sustainability
OHCS stands strongly with other organizations in its commitment to eliminate hunger and fight poverty in Oregon. There are many agencies and individuals that will be involved in these efforts. OHCS will be a willing partner and will provide leadership where appropriate to bring the collective efforts of federal, state, local government, nonprofit partners, and private industry together to help address these critical issues.
Visitability
This important initiative for the senior and disabled is moving from the conceptual to the implementation phase. With the help of many partners, OHCS has developed rules and new policy that will govern future projects funded with state managed grants and tax incentives and serve as a model for all new residential construction development Oregon. Visitability rulemaking is included in the sustainability plan, as it will affect all of our new affordable housing projected and will improve the quality of life of present and future disabled individuals and their families.
Weatherization
OHCS is raising the conservation targets on all of its energy savings and weatherization programs for low income Oregonians. We will work with community based partners to increase their capacity to deliver weatherization services. These programs provide important long-term financial relief to the needy and also conserve state energy resources. OHCS will jointly develop and participate in effective residential conservation initiatives with the Oregon Department of Energy, the Energy Trust, and other partners to increase conservation and sustainability efforts.
While weatherization programs are not new, we are setting goals to do more in these areas. The new annual targets for number of multifamily units weatherized are 55 percent higher than 2003 levels (653 compared to 422). Single family targets are 30 percent higher (2,000 units compared to 1,535 for 2003). Manufactured dwelling targets are 31 percent higher (1,600 units compared to 1,225). We plan to reach these higher targets by reviewing the spending of community action agencies and reallocating unused allocations on a quarterly basis. In addition, training and technical assistance will be given to community action agencies on how to leverage their dollars with other federal and private sector funds. Through these means, we plan to reduce carry-over funds, utilize resources more effectively, and reach higher targets than in previous years.
* As of June 17, 2004
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| For More Information |
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Contact:
John Fletcher, Policy Analyst
E-Mail
503.986.6721
To talk with someone about developing affordable housing in your area, contact a Regional Advisor to the Director or call 503.986.2000.
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