The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners has approved $1.2 million toward finding affordable housing solutions in Clackamas County.
This Affordable Housing and Services Fund, which the county says will be renewed annually, is intended to support innovative and sustainable programs to develop capacity and year-to-year continuity for essential affordable housing programming.
Such funding is needed as housing costs, especially for renters, continue to rise, and wage increases are not keeping up. Officials say Clackamas County saw a sharp rise in homelessness last year, and of all the local families who are in need of affordable housing, only 19 percent actually have access to it.
Commissioners hopes this funding will help kickstart creative, new solutions for the county’s most vulnerable community members, including families with children, veterans, disabled and elderly residents.
“Affordability in housing is a growing concern for Clackamas County,” Commissioner Paul Savas said. “There are residents that are vulnerable today and many more who may become homeless as rents increase. This investment will help leverage opportunities and develop solutions to keep our citizens in their homes.”
Clackamas County will accepting proposals for funding between October 15 and November 19. For more information about the fund, please contact Vahid (“Vah-heed”) Brown at 503-742-5345 or by email at VBrown@clackamas.us.
Photo by Brett VA.