The General Housing Account Program (GHAP) was created to expand Oregon’s housing supply for low and very low-income families and individuals. It serves in two areas:
- Rental housing development
- Rental housing for Veterans
GHAP can be used statewide, including on Tribal lands. GHAP is one of the most flexible housing development funding sources OHCS administers.
Funding requirements
The General Housing Account Program (GHAP) originated from the 2009 legislative session to expand the State's housing supply for low and very low-income families and individuals. Funds for the program are generated from state document recording fees (DRF).
25% of the allocated rental housing development funds are set-aside for Veteran housing development. The GHAP Veteran set-aside funds can be used with other sources of funding that align with its affordability restrictions.
GHAP development funds may be taken as a grant or low-interest loan with flexible terms, as requested by the awardee. If the funds are requested as a loan, the interest rate begins at 0% and may be as high as the US Treasury Long Term Obligation rate. Repayment is due as a balloon payment between year 30 and year 60. OHCS reserves the right to approve loan terms at their sole discretion.
Please note that
GHAP for Capacity Building (GHAP CB) is administrated separately from GHAP development.
Affordability requirements
GHAP funded projects must serve residents earning at or below 80% area median income (AMI). The project will be restricted to serve at this affordability level for 60 years. Annual compliance and reporting will be required to ensure affordability requirements are met.
Eligibility
- Nonprofits
- Housing authorities
- Local governments
- Manufactured dwelling park cooperatives
- Private companies
- Federally recognized Tribal Nations
- Individual developers
How to apply
Potential applicants can apply for GHAP through the Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA) process. This is an open application and will remain open as long as funding is available. Funding is refreshed on a biennial basis.
The maximum funding award is limited to per-unit subsidy limits determined by OHCS. The per-unit amount is a sliding scale based on the income level of residents to be served by the unit. Subsidy limits are different for new construction projects versus acquisition/rehabilitation projects.
More information
GHAP program manual (pdf)
GHAP Capacity Building webpage