Woodspring Apartments Resource Hub

Last updated: 03/14/2023 

Background 

Located at SW 113th Ave, Tigard, OR, Woodspring Apartments is a 172-unit complex that was built in 1991. It was originally built with Low Income Housing Tax Credits and was regulated as affordable housing with a 30-year period of affordability, which ended on December 31, 2020. Households who were living at Woodspring at the time the affordability period ended continue to have affordable rents for three years as a part of the "safe harbor" provision in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which is administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services. 

This safe harbor period ends December 31, 2023, after which the property owner may raise rents to market rate. 

Efforts to Preserve Affordability 

Washington County has been working on preserving the affordable housing by negotiating with the complex's new owner Hamilton Zanze for almost two years. The County explored funding options for the preservation of affordable housing with Oregon Housing & Community Services. Unfortunately, due to legal and funding constraints, the County was unable to purchase the building. Bridge Housing Inc, a partner organization, also explored purchasing options, but as of the beginning of 2023, discussions were at a standstill. 

Short-term Assistance for Tenants 

Washington County has obtained funding, through the Oregon Legislative Assessmbly-2022 House Bill 5202, for a program called the "Short-Term Assistance for Tenants with Expiring Affordability." In partnership with OHCS, Washington County will provide financial assistance and services to support households impacted by the expiring affordability at Woodspring Apartments. The pilot program aims to provide a one-time lump sum payment to qualifying tenants to flexibly use for financial planning or relocation costs. It will also result in the hiring of one new limited duration staff, a Housing Counselor. The counselor will assist tenants with long-term financial planning to budget the subsidy, find prospective affordable housing, and communicate with landlords. 

Purchase & Sale Agreement Proposal  

On 03/14/2023, the Housing Authority of Washington County received authorization at a Housing Authority Board of Directors’ meeting for the executive director to negotiate and enter into a purchase and sale agreement. This enables the Housing Authority to pursue the necessary property and financial due diligence to purchase Woodspring. If successful, we will be able to preserve the property’s affordability rates for all current residents. Negotiations are still ongoing however and a deal may not occur. We encourage you to keep planning your next steps as you have been prior to this update. 

Meanwhile, we are happy to confirm the short-term assistance program will still move forward regardless of the outcome. We will continue to communicate the latest developments with tenants in a variety of means, such the website, phone calls, mail, and meetings.