Eugene’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is looking to support local housing projects with $709,879 in 2025 as program applications are now open.
Eugene’s AHTF program has helped provide $3.3 million for the construction of 280 new affordable housing units worth more than $68 million since the program was approved by the City Council in 2019.
Interested parties must submit a letter of interest by Feb. 5 and a complete application by 5 p.m. on March 5.
Proposed developments must be located within Eugene city limits, include at least four dwellings and meet affordability and other program criteria. Preference is given to developments that provide ADA-accessible and sensory-friendly housing, showcase innovation in management, design or financing structures, are located in areas lacking access to Affordable Housing and serve populations who are disproportionately impacted by housing costs and who have been historically excluded from housing opportunities.
Peace Village is an affordable homeownership cooperative in Eugene that provides 70 units funded partly by Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars.
These funds are generated through the city’s construction excise tax, which applies to new residential and commercial buildings, additions and alterations. Additional program funds are provided through city fee assistance funds and general funding approved by the city council.
Uses of AHTF dollars include the acquisition of current housing that can become Affordable Housing, gap funding for housing projects, down payment assistance for homebuyers and direct rent assistance for tenants.
A 2022 council decision approved program guidance that 75% of AHTF funds should be for investing in developing permanent housing and the remaining 25% of AHTF funds should be dedicated to providing direct assistance to renters and homeowners.
Emily Sikora moves her belongings into her new home at Peace Village just in time for the holidays.
The AHTF Advisory Committee reviews proposals and provides recommendations to city staff on how to best utilize the available funding. The committee prioritizes funding for projects related to housing that is affordable to households earning 100% or below the Area Median Income. Six elements are considered when the committee scores proposals: income-qualified population, project concept and design, site feasibility, financial feasibility, cost-benefit, and organizational experience.
Last year’s AHTF cycle saw five proposals submitted and an additional $1 million from the city council helped fund three of those projects: Rosa Village by SquareOne Villages, The Lucy by Cornerstone Community Housing and gap funding for Williams Place by St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County. A two-year program report released in Dec. of 2023 highlighted the AHTF’s role in supporting the development of what was then 173 units of Affordable Housing, providing nearly half a million dollars of rental assistance and foreclosure funds and supporting BIPOC and low-income households with more than $200,000 in down payment assistance funds.
Developers can find information on the proposal process and application materials online at www.eugene-or.gov/4844/Affordable-Housing-Trust-Fund-Request-fo.
Hannarose McGuinness is The Register-Guard’s growth and development reporter. You can reach her at hmcguinness@registerguard.com.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Eugene’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to back local projects in 2025