Housing and Human Services Programs

Creating Stable, Safe Housing for Eugene Residents

The City of Eugene seeks to create a range of stable, safe, and affordable housing opportunities for area residents through a suite of funding, programs, and supportive policies. Eugene programs provide financial and regulatory incentives for the development of permanent, transitional and emergency housing by primary nonprofit partner organizations.

While the City does not own, operate, build, or manage housing, we collaborate with nonprofit and other partners to assess the City’s housing needs, choose the best solutions to efficiently meet them, and identify how to pay for them. Working together, our community has created over 3,400 units of permanent affordable housing.

City affordable housing and community development programs are guided through the Eugene-Springfield 2020 Consolidated Plan (for more info and HUD reports, please visit www.eugene-or.gov/hudconplan). The Consolidated Plan presents a strategic vision for affordable housing and community development beginning in July 2020 and ending in June 2024. More information is available about the various programs to support Human Services.

Federal Funding

HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME)

HOME funds are provided to the Eugene-Springfield HOME Consortium for the development of rental housing to serve very low- and low-income households. HOME funds are used as a gap fund source to make housing development financing possible. HOME funds can be used for acquisition of existing residential and non-residential building for conversion to affordable housing, or for new construction. The Consortium awards funds through an annual Housing Request for Proposals. HOME awards are targeted to households earning up to 60% AMI.

HOME American Rescue Plan

Through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, the US Congress allocated special one-time HOME funds to help provide more affordable housing and support services for vulnerable members of our community. More information is available about the HOME-ARP program.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

CDBG funds are used to improve local communities by providing decent housing, improved infrastructure, public facilities and services, and improved economic opportunities for low and moderate income residents. These funds may also be used for activities that help prevent or eliminate slums or blight or for projects that meet urgent community needs. CDBG awards are targeted to households earning up to 80% AMI.

Using federal funds from the CDBG and HOME Investment Partnership programs, the City:

Assists developers build affordable housing
Improves neighborhoods and accessibility
Pays for needed services for families and individuals

The City’s CDBG and HOME programs contribute approximately $2 million in federal grants and loans annually to area nonprofit organizations and other groups to provide services, public facilities and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and neighborhoods.

Local Funding

Construction Excise Tax/Affordable Housing Trust Fund

In 2016, Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1533 authorizing Oregon cities and counties to establish a construction excise tax (CET) to support the development of affordable housing. A CET is a one-time tax imposed on new construction and applies to residential and commercial construction based on the permit valuation. Eugene City Council and the State Legislature both recognize traditional funding sources for affordable housing, especially federal sources, have declined over time. To help address the reduction in resources available for affordable housing, City Council passed an ordinance in April 2019, implementing a local CET that will contribute to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocated to fund programs, incentives, and services related to the housing of households earning 100 percent of area medium income and below, and in accordance with state law. General funds will also supplement the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Affordable Housing Development Incentives

In addition to HOME and CDBG funds, staff manage affordable housing development incentives.