Intake

Intake is the point of entry for the Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA) process and is open continuously.  All projects are required begin at Intake regardless of how ready they are to meet financial closing. This helps OHCS provide projects with early support, build our pipeline of affordable housing projects, and forecast funding requests.

Applicants should submit an Intake Form as early as the initial concept stage of a project, typically 2-5 years before applying for funding. The form is intended for organizations that are seriously considering a project and may have already incurred some due diligence expenditures. Applicants can fill out an Intake Form at any time whenever they are ready and may be matched with a OHCS Technical Advisor to help them navigate the funding process.

2025 9% LIHTC Request Form

The 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program provides tax credits on a competative basis to support the development of affordable housing. The 9% competative application, called the 9% Request Form, will be open for submissions from March 13th, 2025 through 11:59pm April 24th, 2025.  This form is part of the project's Intake process and no 9% LIHTC applications will be processed without both the ORCA Intake Form and the 9% LIHTC Request Form submitted.  If a project has already submitted an Intake Form, an assitional Intake Form submission is not necessary.

To apply, a project must first complete the ORCA Intake Form, then submit the 9% LIHTC Request Form.  

Intake Form Details

The Intake Form asks about the following topics. Your answers will help determine if the project is ready to move to the Impact Assessment step. There is not a limit to the amount of Intake Forms applicants can submit. However, applicants can only have two projects in each step of the ORCA at one time. The intake form will ask questions on:

• Applicant details: This section will collect contact information and ask if applicants anticipate needing technical assistance from OHCS.
• Project conception: This section will ask for a brief description, construction type, location, target population, unit mix, and affordability levels. It will also ask about early strategies for zoning, infrastructure, and permits.
• Financial Strategy:  This section will ask about potential funding sources, early budget estimates, investor relationships, and estimated construction and closing dates. This financial information is intended to be preliminary.
• Identified partners: This section will ask if the applicant has identified various members of their development team.
• Predevelopment: This is where sponsors can ask for additional support for projects. This support is only available for nonprofits, public housing authorities, and Tribal Nations. Visit this webpage for more information.
• Capacity-building: The General Housing Account Program’s Capacity Building (GHAP CB) funds support the growth and development of nonprofit housing developers, local housing authorities, and Tribal housing entities, and local governments. Visit this webpage for more information.
  
• Prequalification Acknowledgement:  All projects must go through the prequalification pathway, which evaluates developer and partner entities' experience, good standing, finances, and other criteria. 
• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) rent assistance: This is for applicants that have already received capital funding resources from OHCS, have completed the PSH Institute, and are seeking to add PSH Rent Assistance and Services funding to their project. 

What happens next

Applicants should hear from OHCS within 14 days after submitting an intake form. If an applicant does not hear back or needs to make any changes to their Intake Form, please email app.team@hcs.oregon.gov. If the project is ready for Impact Assessment, applicants will be set up with a WorkCenter in a software called Procorem. Getting a WorkCenter does not mean the project will get funded, nor is a commitment of funding. It is just the start of the process that could lead to funding.