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Oregon Housing and Community Services

Public Participation

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) engaged in extensive consultations and activities to develop the ReOregon wildfire recovery Action Plan. This involved meetings with various stakeholders, state agencies, and community groups; public hearings; focus groups; and an online survey to gather feedback. An ad hoc Advisory Committee and a ReOregon Advisory Committee provided guidance on policy and strategy. Major amendments to the plan follow the Substantial Action Plan Amendment process, including public comment periods and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approval.

Public participation in action plan 

The Public Participation in Action Plan ensures community involvement in disaster recovery planning. It includes consultations with stakeholders, public hearings, and comment periods to gather feedback on recovery efforts. This process also allows residents to contribute to the development and implementation of recovery programs, promoting more inclusive decision-making.

Advisory Committee 

An Ad Hoc Advisory Committee helped shape the ReOregon Action Plan through a series of meetings in spring and summer 2022. The Ad Hoc Advisory Committee advised both OHCS staff and the Housing Stability Council (HSC – the governing body of OHCS) on key items such as budget and priorities.

The committee was made up of stakeholders such as state elected officials, representatives of local governments, nonprofits working on disaster recovery, and two members of the HSC.

Substantial Action Plan Amendment (SAPA) 

What is SAPA?

OHCS can make minor amendments to the Action Plan as needed. Changes to the Action Plan, if they are major, must follow the Substantial Action Plan Amendment process. Changes that require a SAPA include:

  • Changes to program benefits or eligibility criteria
  • Addition or deletion of an activity or program
  • Significant changes to the budget (i.e., a change of $5 million or more, or changing a program budget by 15% or more). When major budget changes are proposed, OHCS must explain how those changes relate to remaining unmet recovery needs.

When OHCS proposes a SAPA, the amendment will be posted on the state’s CDBG-DR website for a 30-day public comment period. The amendment will be posted in adherence with the Americans with Disabilities Act and language accessibility requirements. As required by HUD, OHCS will address all comments received.

Non-substantial action plan amendments to date

What is in the draft SAPA?

The amendment reallocates program funds to create additional opportunities for renters and expands recovery options for Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program applicants.

A high-level summary of the amendment:

  • Restructuring Homeownership Opportunities Program (HOP) to a new program called Affordable Housing Development (AHD), allowing opportunities for both new homeownership and rental housing development in wildfire- affected communities.
  • Reallocating some funding from Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) to AHD.
  • Increasing the maximum potential awards for HARP applicants.
  • Adding reimbursement as a recovery pathway in HARP.

Read the entire draft SAPA (PDF)

Public comment

The public comment period ended on Nov. 8th. All comments received during the public comment period will be included within the Action Plan Amendment that is sent to HUD for approval. A copy of that document will be made available here when it is ready. 

Public Hearing PowerPoint Presentation [English] or [Spanish]