Skip to main content

Regional Affordable Housing Bond for Washington County

The Affordable Housing Bond provides funding for affordable housing development and other resources from 2019-2026.

Regional Affordable Housing Bond

On November 6, 2018, voters approved Measure 26-199 and Oregon Measure 102. These measures provide $652.8 million in resources to the Portland metropolitan region for affordable housing development and allow the funds to be leveraged with additional resources and partnerships.

Washington County jurisdictions received $192.2 million of the total bond funds, and they were divided up between Washington County ($118.9 million), the City of Beaverton ($31.8 million) and the City of Hillsboro ($41.5 million).

Washington County is using these funds to build high quality, affordable homes that will serve our community for decades to come.We are on track to exceed our production goals, increasing accessible housing for households with very low-incomes, families who need larger units, and those who need additional supports to maintain housing stability.

Project Goals

Washington County is on track to exceed our Affordable Housing Bond production goals.

Progress Map

Housing Projects funded with Metro bond

Status: Completed

Click the name of any project below to view full details. For an inside look into the different projects, such as their ground breakings and grand openings, please visit our project playlist here.

KeyProjectLocationCompletion DateUnits
1The ViewfinderTigardDecember 202181
2The Valfre at Avenida 26Forest GroveJuly 202236
3Heartwood CommonsAlohaMarch 202354
4Terrace GlenTigardMay 2023144
5Alongside Senior HousingTigardSeptember 202357
6Cedar RisingAlohaDecember 202381
7The OpalCedar MillMarch 202454
8Plaza Los AmigosCorneliusMay 2024112

Status: Under Construction

KeyProjectLocationCompletion DateUnits
9Altura Beaverton September 202474
10Plambeck GardensTualatinJanuary 2025116

Status: In Planning

KeyProjectLocationCompletion DateUnits
11Woodland Hearth Tigard April 202663
12SW 209th AveAlohaFall/Winter 202786

Plans and Reports

Local Implementation Strategy

The guiding principles of the Local Implementation Strategy are:

  • Housing Development plan including criteria and selection process for projects
  • Strategy for advancing racial equity throughout implementation
  • Engagement reports summarizing how stakeholder input and community outreach shaped development of the strategy (see page 33 of the Local Implementation Strategy)
  • Plan for ongoing community engagement

The final version of Washington County's Local Implementation Strategy was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on December 17, 2019.

Annual Reports
Project Summaries

FAQs

Bond funding to create new affordable homes is distributed across the region, based on how many people live in each county. Using this calculation, 34% of funding is distributed to Washington County, 21% to Clackamas County, and 45% to Multnomah County.

The Metro Urban Growth Boundary is made up of portions of the three counties. Each county contributes a different percentage of property taxes, based on how many of the county’s homes fall within the boundary. The intention of the program is to create affordable homes proportionate to revenue raised in each county. Washington County’s portion of the revenue generated through property taxes within the urban growth boundary is 34 percent or $192 million. There are three implementing jurisdictions within Washington County who each have their own share of these funds. The City of Beaverton ($31.8 million), the City of Hillsboro ($41.5 million), and Washington County ($118.9 million).

Each county has developed a local implementation strategy based on community needs. The Washington County Local Implementation Strategy (LIS) was approved by the Washington County Board of Commissioners on December 17, 2019. The Metro Community Oversight Committee reviews project plans to ensure they are in alignment with the Washington County approved LIS and meeting specific goals.

The bond will cost county homeowners about $72 per year, or $6 per month, based on assessed home value of $300,000.

The affordable housing bond program is overseen by a Community Oversight Committee appointed by the Metro Council. The committee will:

  • Review implementation strategies
  • Provide ongoing project review and annual program reports
  • Assess program outcomes and make recommendations to staff
  • Recommend changes to Implementation Strategy amendments as needed

The funds can be used to:

  • Build new affordable housing
  • Purchase and rehabilitate existing housing
  • Buy land for new affordable housing
  • Produce affordable homeownership units

The majority of Bond funds MUST be used for housing units. Ten percent of the funds generated by the bond will be used by Metro to acquire land that will be developed into affordable housing within the region. Five percent of the funds will be set aside for administrative costs. This allows local entities to hire the staff required to implement the plans they are developing.

Yes. The Washington County LIS requires robust community involvement as we develop our regional priorities.

The unit goals identified in the prior section labeled “Overview” will be the driving force behind the type of housing to be built. Additionally, the County’s LIS will include input from the community as we work to identify local priorities which must be aligned with the following core values laid out in Metro’s Bond framework:

  • Lead with racial equity
  • Create opportunity for those in need
  • Create opportunity throughout the region
  • Ensure long-term benefits and good use of public dollars