Clackamas County breaks ground on ambitious housing project

Clackamas County officials recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a significant redevelopment project at Hillside Park, which will expand the current housing capacity from 100 to 500 homes. This initiative, originally proposed during a previous commission term, required extensive federal approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The county has been recognized as a regional model for housing development, a distinction highlighted by both HUD and state housing officials.

During the meeting, a resident, Anne Leanstra, shared her positive experience after being relocated to a new facility, expressing satisfaction with her new living conditions and indicating she would not return to the redeveloped area. This feedback underscores the county's commitment to ensuring that displaced residents are adequately accommodated.

Additionally, the board discussed upcoming changes to the supported housing services tax. A vote by the Metro Council is scheduled for October 17, with a proposed 10% tax reduction on the table. However, concerns were raised regarding governance issues related to the management of these funds. The chair emphasized the need for local control over taxpayer money, opposing a proposal that would allow a nonprofit organization to influence governance decisions.

The chair also noted that if the tax reduction is implemented without adjustments for inflation, it could lead to significant financial implications for the county. The discussion highlighted the importance of active participation from all county chairs in addressing these governance challenges, as the future of the housing authority and its funding mechanisms remain uncertain.