HOPE Policy Recommendation #10 - Housing Options

Increase development or acquisition of affordable housing units for permanent supportive housing (PSH) by 20 new units per year for the next eight years to add at a minimum 160 new units of PSH in Benton County. 

Work with community partners to increase housing opportunities for community members who need permanent support to remain stably housed. 

Learn more about this recommendation.

Community Progress on Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH):

July 2022 - October 2022

• City of Corvallis issued a Request for Proposals to help fund permanent supportive housing and/or shelter. 

June 2021 - June 2022

• Corvallis Housing First secured over 8 million dollars of construction capital for the development of 40-45 units of permanent supportive housing at 3rd Street Commons. This former motel is currently being used for emergency shelter.  Last fall, Benton County awarded $75,000 to Corvallis Housing First to assist with necessary repairs. 
• City of Corvallis awarded $45,000 of Construction Excise Tax resources for predevelopment activities for 3rd Street Commons (former motel, turned shelter) future development. Corvallis Housing First will apply to Oregon Housing and Community Services in Spring 2023 for additional capital to develop the property.
• City of Corvallis awarded Corvallis Housing First $625,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds to acquire four units of permanent supportive housing in Northeast Corvallis. In spring 2022, five individuals who were formerly unhoused now have a place to call home with the necessary supportive services to sustain housing long term.

Community Progress on affordable housing and policy changes to increase housing supply:

July 2022 - October 2022

• City of Corvallis re-entered into the Home Investment Partner Program offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which will allow grants to help fund the creation and/or retention of affordable housing units and their operating support costs. 
• The City of Corvallis Housing Operational Committee learned about property tax exemption policy recommendations including the Multi Unit Property Tax Exemption Program and Low-Income Property Tax Exemption. These policy recommendations came from the Housing Development Task Force. The Committee and Council will have work sessions regarding these policy recommendations this fall.  

June 2021 - June 2022

• City of Corvallis allocated $400,000 from the Construction Excise Tax funding to Green Light Development for the development of 60 units of affordable housing in South Corvallis in Willamette Landing.  
• City of Corvallis is working with an affordable housing developer to add 100 units of affordable housing in SW Corvallis and construction is currently underway.
• City of Corvallis is working with an affordable housing developer to add 174 units of affordable housing in South Corvallis. 
• City of Corvallis approved new ordinance to allow Middle Housing in all low-density residential areas. 
• City of Corvallis approved reduction in parking requirements for affordable housing  
• City of Corvallis approved new Mixed Use zoning standards to facilitate more multi-family housing opportunities in areas with commercial activity including reduction/elimination of parking requirements, residential height bonuses, and requirements for multi-story construction to encourage upper floor residential development. 
• City of Corvallis approved large annexation on West Hills Road and 53rd to ease the severe shortage of vacant land and provide additional opportunities for multi-family housing construction. 
• City of Corvallis and Benton County issued a Request for Proposals for microshelters outside of City Hall and County Fairgrounds. 

Learn about more recommendations and progress.