ORS 458.650
Emergency Housing Account

  • grant policies

(1)

The Housing and Community Services Department shall administer the Emergency Housing Account to assist homeless individuals and individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless, through means including the emergency housing assistance program and the state homeless assistance program. Notwithstanding subsection (3)(a) of this section, the state homeless assistance program shall serve individuals experiencing homelessness, especially unsheltered homelessness, without respect to income.

(2)

The Oregon Housing Stability Council shall develop a policy for the use of program funds with the advice of:

(a)

Persons who have experienced housing instability;

(b)

Tribes;

(c)

The Community Action Partnership of Oregon;

(d)

Continuums of care, as defined in 24 C.F.R. part 578;

(e)

Local governments;

(f)

Nonprofit organizations;

(g)

Homeless services providers;

(h)

Culturally specific organizations;

(i)

Housing providers;

(j)

Veterans’ services organizations; and

(k)

Other entities identified by the department by rule.

(3)

The policy under subsection (2) of this section shall direct that program funds shall be used:

(a)

To provide to low and very low income individuals, including but not limited to individuals more than 65 years of age, persons with disabilities, agricultural workers and Native Americans:

(A)

Emergency shelters and attendant services;

(B)

Transitional housing services designed to assist individuals to make the transition from homelessness to permanent housing and economic independence;

(C)

Supportive housing services to enable individuals to continue living in their own homes or to provide in-home services for such individuals for whom suitable programs do not exist in their geographic area;

(D)

Programs that provide emergency payment of home payments, rents or utilities; or

(E)

Some or all of the needs described in subparagraphs (A) to (D) of this paragraph.

(b)

To align with federal strategies and resources that are available to prevent and end homelessness, including the requirement of providing culturally responsive services and using evidence-based and emerging practices effective in ending homelessness, including practices unique to rural communities.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The council shall require as a condition of awarding a grant that the organization demonstrate to the satisfaction of the council that the organization:

(A)

Has the capacity to deliver any service proposed by the organization;

(B)

Is a culturally responsive organization or is engaged in a process to become a culturally responsive organization;

(C)

Engages with culturally specific organizations; and

(D)

Supports local homelessness system planning efforts.

(b)

Any funds granted under this section may not be used to replace existing funds. Funds granted under this section may be used to supplement existing funds. An organization may use funds to support existing programs or to establish new programs.

(5)

The department may expend funds from the account for:

(a)

The administration of the account as provided for in the legislatively approved budget, as that term is defined in ORS 291.002 (Definitions), for the department in support of directing a statewide policy on homelessness that ensures use of evidence-based and emerging practices, service equity in funding and local planning processes.

(b)

The development of technical assistance and training resources for organizations developing and operating emergency shelters as defined in ORS 197.782 (Emergency shelters developed under temporary authorization) and transitional housing accommodations as described in ORS 197.746 (Transitional housing accommodations).

(6)

The department shall utilize outcome-oriented contracting processes and evidence-based and emerging practices for account program funds, including evidence-based and emerging practices for serving rural communities.

(7)

Twenty-five percent of moneys deposited in the account pursuant to ORS 294.187 (County Assessment and Taxation Fund) are dedicated to the emergency housing assistance program for assistance to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. [1991 c.740 §7; 2007 c.70 §268; 2011 c.605 §2; 2013 c.646 §3; 2015 c.180 §27; 2017 c.350 §1; 2019 c.576 §5; 2021 c.18 §7; 2021 c.448 §5a]
Note: Sections 8 to 12, chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021, provide:
Sec. 8. Section 9 of this 2021 Act is added to and made a part of ORS 458.600 (Policy and intent) to 458.665 (General Housing Account). [2021 c.18 §8]
Sec. 9. Assistance for low-barrier emergency shelters. (1) As used in this section, “low-barrier emergency shelter” means an emergency shelter, as defined in section 2 of this 2021 Act [197.782 (Emergency shelters developed under temporary authorization)], that follows established best practices to deliver shelter services that minimize barriers and increase access to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

(2)

The Housing and Community Services Department shall award grants and provide technical assistance to organizations to fund:

(a)

The construction, purchase or lease of facilities to be used as low-barrier emergency shelters;

(b)

The operation, use or staffing of low-barrier emergency shelters, including the costs to provide clients with access to the shelters;

(c)

The development or use of amenities or facilities that provide no-cost services to individuals and families who are homeless, including restroom and hygiene facilities, laundry facilities, dining facilities, storage for personal property, meeting or gathering spaces and facilities providing case management services; or

(d)

Rapid rehousing services and supports for individuals and families.

(3)

In awarding grants and providing technical assistance under this section, the department shall:

(a)

Ensure that funds are distributed among different regions of the state; and

(b)

Prioritize funding areas of highest need as identified in the August 2019 Oregon Statewide Shelter Study.

(4)

Grants under this section must be awarded:

(a)

Through a competitive process that emphasizes collaborative proposals; or

(b)

To one or more community action agencies. [2021 c.18 §9]
Sec. 10. Grants for navigation centers. (1) As used in this section, “navigation center” means a low-barrier emergency shelter, as defined in section 9 of this 2021 Act, that is open seven days per week and connects individuals and families with health services, permanent housing and public benefits.

(2)

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services may award grants to local governments to:

(a)

Plan the location, development or operations of a navigation center;

(b)

Construct, purchase or lease a building for use as a navigation center;

(c)

Operate a navigation center that has been constructed, purchased or leased under paragraph (b) of this subsection; or

(d)

Contract for the performance of activities in this subsection.

(3)

The department shall require that each local government receiving a grant under this section agree to return all moneys granted unless the local government has developed a navigation center that is operating on or before July 1, 2022. [2021 c.18 §10]
Sec. 11. Use of Emergency Housing Account. Notwithstanding ORS 458.650 (Emergency Housing Account) (3) and (4), the Housing and Community Services Department may expend funds from the Emergency Housing Account to award grants and provide technical assistance under section 9, chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021. [2021 c.18 §11; 2021 c.448 §5b]
Sec. 12. (1) Sections 9 and 10, chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021, are repealed on January 2, 2024.

(2)

Section 11, chapter 18, Oregon Laws 2021, as amended by section 5b of this 2021 Act [section 5b, chapter 448, Oregon Laws 2021], is repealed on January 2, 2024. [2021 c.18 §12; 2021 c.448 §5c]

Source: Section 458.650 — Emergency Housing Account; grant policies, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors458.­html.

458.210
Community development corporations
458.215
Local capacity building program
458.220
Community development corporation grants and assistance
458.225
Preference for certain community development corporations
458.235
Rules
458.240
Effect of law on other community development corporations
458.305
Legislative findings
458.310
Housing revitalization program
458.352
Manufactured dwelling park preservation loan program
458.356
Manufactured dwelling replacement loans
458.358
Manufactured dwelling decommissioning and disposing grants
458.362
Manufactured housing advisory committee
458.366
Manufactured Home Preservation Fund
458.375
Rental housing assistance for very low income elderly persons
458.377
Elderly Rental Assistance Fund
458.380
Housing for Mental Health Fund
458.390
Rental assistance program for youth and young adults at risk of homelessness
458.392
Long-Term Rent Assistance Fund
458.405
Legislative findings
458.410
Purposes
458.415
Rules
458.420
Conveyance of certain state real property for low-income housing
458.425
Restriction on conveyance of certain state real property
458.430
Authority of state to lease property not owned by state
458.440
Authorization to lease
458.445
Authority to relinquish title to property
458.450
Approval required by governing body where property located
458.460
Bidding procedure for multiple applicants
458.480
Definitions
458.485
Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program
458.490
Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program Fund
458.505
Community action agency network as delivery system for federal antipoverty programs
458.510
Energy Crisis Trust Fund
458.515
Oregon Housing Stability Council to advise and assist department regarding low income home energy assistance
458.525
Duties of Oregon Housing Stability Council in coordinating and monitoring homelessness relief efforts
458.528
Policy on homelessness
458.530
Policy on hunger
458.532
Hunger Task Force
458.540
Short title for ORS 458.530 to 458.545
458.545
Task force powers and duties
458.600
Policy and intent
458.605
Findings
458.610
Definitions for ORS 458.600 to 458.665
458.620
Oregon Housing Fund
458.625
Housing Development Grant Program
458.630
Housing Development and Guarantee Account
458.650
Emergency Housing Account
458.655
Home Ownership Assistance Account
458.658
Assistance for organizations supporting homeownership for persons of color
458.660
Agricultural Worker Housing Development Account
458.665
General Housing Account
458.670
Definitions for ORS 458.670 to 458.700
458.675
Legislative findings
458.680
Persons qualifying as account holders
458.685
Approved purpose of account
458.690
Required account features
458.695
Selection of fiduciary organizations
458.700
Authority of fiduciary organizations
458.705
Legislative findings
458.715
Duties of Oregon Housing Stability Council regarding Community Development Incentive Project Fund
458.720
Community Development Incentive Project Fund
458.725
Fund appropriation and expenditure guidelines
458.730
Department use of financing mechanisms
458.735
Department review of projects
458.740
Project facilitation
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