Washington County Affordable Housing Effort Gets Major Grant

A $97,500 grant will help Washington County identify barriers to affordable housing development and figure out ways to put solutions in place. Metro Council awarded the grant last week.

The county will use the money to help it's Department of Land Use and Transportation update regulations and streamline barriers that get in the way of developing new affordable housing. It will also allow the department to fund predevelopment work on a proposed 48-unit affordable housing development at Cornell Road and Murray Boulevard in Cedar Mill.

"People throughout our region are struggling with housing affordability issues," said Andy Duyck, County chairman. "Washington County's communities will benefit from having a variety of housing options for people at all income levels.

"Our Board of Commissioners is taking concrete steps to encourage more affordable housing in Washington County, and this grant will help us accelerate those efforts."

The county says that grant funding will also build on other County-led housing affordability efforts, including the Aloha Tomorrow planning project, which will refine future plans for the Aloha Town Center near Tualatin-Valley Highway and 185th Avenue.

Photo courtesy Washington County