Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development joined its partners to break ground on Heritage Heights, a new farmworker housing apartment complex in The Dalles. Rural Development was represented by Wes Cochran, the new Multi-Family Housing Program Director for Oregon. The ceremony was also attended by the project sponsor and developer Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation, the project consultant Community And Shelter Assistance Corporation (CASA of Oregon), Oregon Housing and Community Services, representatives from the offices of Senator Jeff Merkley and State Representative John Huffman, and city council members. This housing development project, which received significant USDA funding, will provide affordable rental housing for farm laborers and their families.
“Housing is often the first step on the road to economic prosperity for farmworkers,” said Rural Development State Director Vicki Walker. “The new affordable rental housing being constructed in The Dalles will significantly improve the lives of farmworkers—who are vital to America’s agriculture sector—while also strengthening the rural economy.”
With assistance from a USDA Rural Development loan of $1.5 million and a grant of $1.5 million provided through the Farm Labor Housing Program, the nonprofit Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation and consultant CASA of Oregon will construct an apartment complex that can accommodate 24 farmworker families. In addition, Rural Development will provide rental assistance to 23 families when they move into the new apartments, ensuring their rent payments do not exceed 30 percent of their income.
Additional funding for this project includes $2.9 million in tax credits and grants from OHCS and a $24,000 energy incentive from Energy Trust of Oregon. Washington Federal purchased the OHCS tax credits for the project. An interim loan of $1.7 million is being provided by CenterPointe Community Bank until the tax credits take effect upon the completion of construction.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses, and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way–strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.