Procurement Portal
Affordable Housing Bond Notice of Funding Application (NOFA)
Post Information
- Posted At:
- Fri, Aug 26, 2022 1:54 PM
- Sealed Bid Process:
- Yes (Bids Unsealed / Pricing Unsealed)
- Private Bid:
- No
Overview
Summary
On November 6, 2018, voters approved a $652.8 million Metro Affordable Housing Bond to address the shortage of affordable housing within Metro’s service district. The bond gives the tri-county region the opportunity to invest in the development of new housing resources for some of our most vulnerable and historically marginalized residents.
The Metro Affordable Housing Bond allocated $188 million for the development of 1,316 affordable homes within Washington County. Washington County is responsible for implementing the Metro Affordable Housing Bond in areas of the county that are inside the Metro service district and outside the cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro. See Appendix B for a map of the bond implementation area.
Of the above mentioned $188 million of bond revenue dedicated to the development of regulated affordable housing in Washington County, $116,465,532 is being administered by Washington County. The remaining amount of bond funding are administered by the cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro. The overall goal is to develop at least 814 units of affordable housing in Washington County’s implementation area. These 814 housing units are anticipated to house 2,505 low-income people. The Metro bond funds may be used to build new housing units or to preserve and rehabilitate existing units that are at risk of becoming unaffordable due to rapidly rising rents.
Metro established a framework for unit production goals, as identified in the Metro Work Plan approved by Metro Council in January 2019 (Appendix A).
Washington County has funded ten projects to-date. With these projects, Washington County is very close to meeting the unit production goals in the Metro Work Plan. Washington County has a balance of $13.5 million in funds available for a competitive solicitation to support the development of new housing units or the preservation and rehabilitation of existing units that are at risk of becoming unaffordable due to rapidly rising rents.
Metro framework goals specific to Washington County’s implementation area along with accomplishments to-date are:
- Total Housing Unit Production Target: Goal - 814, Units Underway - 812, Remaining Goal - 2 units.
- Total Family Size Unit Production (2+ bedrooms: Goal - 407, Units Underway - 400, Remaining Goal - 7 units.
- Total 30% MFI Unit Production: Goal - 334, Units Underway - 320, Remaining Goal - 16 units.
Background
Metro Affordable Housing Bond Program Work Plan – Appendix A
In June 2018, the Metro Council adopted the recommended program framework, as set forth in the Regional Investment Strategy: Affordable Homes for Greater Portland, which initially included recommendations for unit production goals, commitments to advancing racial equity, and implementation guidelines developed in collaboration with stakeholders, jurisdictions, housing providers and other partners. The Metro Affordable Housing Program Work Plan (“Work Plan”) provides a comprehensive plan for implementing the bond measure program. In its efforts to achieve unit production targets, Metro is guided by the following principles:
• Lead with racial equity.
• Create opportunity for those in need.
• Create opportunity throughout the region.
• Ensure long-term benefit and good use of public dollars.
Metro also designated priority communities which would have increased access to safe and affordable housing and more opportunities for accessing housing. These communities include:
• Communities of color;
• Families, including families with children and multiple generations;
• Seniors;
• Veterans;
• People living with disabilities;
• Individuals exiting the foster care system;
• Households experience homelessness and/or facing imminent displacement.
Priority locations were also designated in the Work Plan. Priority locations include:
• Preference for neighborhoods that have good access to transportation, grocery stores, school, commercial services, and community amenities;
• Locations near accessible support services (including addiction services and mental and physical health services.
Washington County Local Implementation Strategy (LIS) – Appendix B
The county’s LIS has been approved by the Washington County Board of Commissioners, Metro’s Community Oversight Committee, and the Metro Council. Please refer to the LIS for more specific information regarding guiding principles and priorities. Washington County completed an extensive county-wide, community-based process to develop its LIS. The LIS guides the county’s efforts to create 814 permanent affordable housing homes in accordance with Metro’s guiding principles. It also outlines a commitment to furthering community goals and preventing displacement, advancing racial equity and inclusion, creating affordable housing options in locations where there are none, and helping to address the need for permanent supportive housing in the county.
Broad priorities included in the Washington County’s LIS are:
• Strategy for advancing racial equity throughout implementation.
• Plan for ongoing community engagement.
These priorities guide specific threshold requirements, preferences, and selection criteria described below. An allocation of bond funds will come with rigid programming in order to meet the production goals agreed upon in the county’s LIS document. This NOFA stipulates specific requirements such as:
• A maximum subsidy/unit for both new construction and acquisition/rehabilitation projects.
• Project satisfaction of 0-30% Median Family Income (MFI) goals.
• Number of units that are 2-bedroom or larger.