Board unanimously endorses Metro concept for Aloha affordable housing project
January 19, 2026 | Washington County, Oregon
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 20 to recommend Metro concept endorsement of $9,700,000 in Metro site acquisition funds for the Aloha 209 affordable housing project.
Molly Rogers, director of Housing Services, introduced the project's update and asked the board to endorse the Metro concept endorsement that will allow the project to move forward in Metro's funding process. "We are thrilled today to provide you an update... and then we will be requesting board approval for the Aloha 209 concept endorsement," Rogers said.
Jill Chen, assistant director of the Department of Housing Services, said the site is a three-acre lot in Aloha north of TD Highway at 209 and that the development is currently in predevelopment. "We have determined the size of the project at 87 units," Chen said, adding that roughly two-thirds of the units will be family-sized two- and three-bedroom units, with ADA units and units reserved for very low-income households regulated at 60% area median income and below.
Lisa Varon, real estate division manager, reviewed the financing plan and community engagement. Varon said the project anticipates about a $35,000,000 construction budget and a total $55,428,000 project budget and described financing sources including a Metro tax-exempt permanent loan, 4% low-income housing tax credits, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) lift funds, deferred developer fees, a sponsor loan and private activity bonds.
Commissioners asked questions about reserves and pending approvals. Commissioner Willie observed that the project's reserves "are fairly thin compared to what we're typically seeing in projects like this" and asked whether the $1,200,000 listed is sufficient; staff said the reserve assumptions meet OHCS requirements and noted construction contingencies.
After discussion, an unidentified commissioner moved to adopt the recommendation for Metro concept endorsement of $9,700,000 from the Metro site acquisition programs affordable housing bond to the Aloha 209 project. The motion carried unanimously, 5–0.
Staff advised that the Metro endorsement and several financing pieces remain contingent on approvals from OHCS (impact assessment and LIHTC allocation) and bank financing for a tax-exempt permanent loan.
The endorsement moves the Aloha 209 project forward in Metro's funding process but does not represent final construction funding or county approval of financing documents.
Molly Rogers, director of Housing Services, introduced the project's update and asked the board to endorse the Metro concept endorsement that will allow the project to move forward in Metro's funding process. "We are thrilled today to provide you an update... and then we will be requesting board approval for the Aloha 209 concept endorsement," Rogers said.
Jill Chen, assistant director of the Department of Housing Services, said the site is a three-acre lot in Aloha north of TD Highway at 209 and that the development is currently in predevelopment. "We have determined the size of the project at 87 units," Chen said, adding that roughly two-thirds of the units will be family-sized two- and three-bedroom units, with ADA units and units reserved for very low-income households regulated at 60% area median income and below.
Lisa Varon, real estate division manager, reviewed the financing plan and community engagement. Varon said the project anticipates about a $35,000,000 construction budget and a total $55,428,000 project budget and described financing sources including a Metro tax-exempt permanent loan, 4% low-income housing tax credits, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) lift funds, deferred developer fees, a sponsor loan and private activity bonds.
Commissioners asked questions about reserves and pending approvals. Commissioner Willie observed that the project's reserves "are fairly thin compared to what we're typically seeing in projects like this" and asked whether the $1,200,000 listed is sufficient; staff said the reserve assumptions meet OHCS requirements and noted construction contingencies.
After discussion, an unidentified commissioner moved to adopt the recommendation for Metro concept endorsement of $9,700,000 from the Metro site acquisition programs affordable housing bond to the Aloha 209 project. The motion carried unanimously, 5–0.
Staff advised that the Metro endorsement and several financing pieces remain contingent on approvals from OHCS (impact assessment and LIHTC allocation) and bank financing for a tax-exempt permanent loan.
The endorsement moves the Aloha 209 project forward in Metro's funding process but does not represent final construction funding or county approval of financing documents.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
