Grant awards help launch Carson Community Land Trust
THE GORGE — From crisis stabilization to homeownership opportunities, Mid-Columbia Housing Authority (MCHA) and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation (CCHC) offer a full spectrum of services supporting Gorge families. Vouchers, self-sufficiency programs, financial and homebuyer education classes, repair programs, foreclosure prevention counseling, down payment assistance, and the Community Land Trust Model are all part of the toolbox the team draws on to help residents meet their needs and build a legacy for future generations.
The Housing Resource Center operates under CCHC and MCHA in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties in Oregon, and in Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington. The center serves people of all income levels, with some programs limited to those earning at or below the Area Median Income (AMI).
“This job is rewarding because it provides hope to people who may feel their goals are out of reach,” said Housing Counselor Salvador Cruz Torres. “Whether it’s helping someone purchase their first home, guiding families through the challenges of foreclosure, or improving living situations when finances are strained by low income or family emergencies, the work truly makes a difference.”
The center is now officially a nationally HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency. The team is celebrating this designation after completing a rigorous application process, during which all housing counselors became HUD-certified. Housing Counselor Dave Peters explained that the team has brought millions of dollars into the region, including $1 million in downpayment assistance, over $3 million in forgivable loans to prevent foreclosures, and $2 million in loans or grants for home repairs.
“All that, plus we have helped hundreds of people get help for their housing needs to either purchase a home through education and counseling, or to avoid foreclosure by working with them and their lenders,” Peters said. “This has been very rewarding.”
Programs cover a variety of situations. Anyone struggling with their housing circumstances or wishing to become a first-time homeowner is encouraged to connect with a housing counselor to discuss options and create a personalized action plan. Cruz Torres can be reached by email at Salvadort@columbiacascadehousingcorp.org and by phone at 541-370-2821. Help is available in both English and Spanish.
Education classes are open to all, regardless of income level. Upcoming dates for homebuyer education classes include March 14 in The Dalles (Spanish); May 16 in Hood River (English); and June 13 in Hood River (Spanish). Cost per class is $35. Scholarships are available, and registration is through Columbia Gorge Community College at 541-506-6011.
Free financial education classes will also be available in Spanish on March 18 and April 15 from 5-7 p.m. and in English on March 4 and April 1 from 4-6 p.m. Locations for these classes are to be determined. Registration is through CCHC; call 541-296-5462 or email info@columbiacascadehousingcorp.org.
Recently, CCHC was awarded $2.1 million from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Housing Trust Fund to support the Carson Land Trust. Housing Resource Center Manager Liz Wilber said the Community Land Trust Model can help make homeownership affordable for first-time homeowners earning below 80 percent AMI by separating land ownership from home ownership. In a new development in Carson, Washington, Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation will build 14 single-family homes over the coming years on seven acres. Qualified buyers will own the homes and lease the land from CCHC for a nominal fee through a long-term ground lease. Wilber said this model significantly reduces the investment needed for low-income families.
“Skamania County has been incredibly supportive in this effort,” Wilber said. The team at CCHC and MCHA has been working closely with the County, which was the applicant through the Washington Department of Commerce, to secure funds from the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). This $383,551 award will support the affordable housing project's construction of essential water infrastructure.
“The Board of County Commissioners is pleased to see progress on the Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation project at the Carson property,” said Skamania County Commissioner Rob Farris. “Adding housing inventory in an already tight home and rental market is essential if we want to retain current residents and attract new families to our community. We appreciate the work being done to move this project forward.”
The Carson Land Trust is a long-term project. CCHC plans to build four houses at a time, with the first homes being available in 12 to 18 months. To purchase the homes upon completion, eligible families must be mortgage-ready. The new homeowners will be responsible for typical expenses such as taxes, insurance, and home maintenance. To keep homes affordable, an equity cap will be set at 1.5 percent per year. This means they can sell in the future, but it limits how much they can sell for, so that other low-income families can access the opportunity. The homes will be eligible for estate planning, which means they could be passed on to heirs subject to the same restrictions.
CCHC also hoped to receive an additional $1.5 million for Washington Down Payment Assistance, but learned this month that the grant was not awarded. It would have helped low-income families in Skamania and Klickitat counties overcome a major obstacle to home ownership. The group plans to apply again next year.
This is the third of a series of four articles highlighting the work of Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, Columbia Gorge Housing Authority, and Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation. For more information, a list of resources is available online at https://www.columbiacascadehousingcorp.org/homeownership-resources.
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