U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andy Berke joined Representative Bonamici in Forest Grove to announce new funding for affordable housing in Northwest Oregon.
USDA Rural Development will invest over $1.1 million in Habitat for Humanity of Tillamook County, along with a grant of over $319,000 for West Tuality Habitat for Humanity’s homebuilding program. The Congresswoman and Administrator also led a roundtable discussion with community leaders on housing and infrastructure expansion.
While in Forest Grove, Administrator Berke and Representative Bonamici toured land that would soon be developed by West Tuality Habitat for Humanity and a cohort of future homeowners. Through USDA Rural Development’s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program, groups of families build their own homes with help from the non-profit. This program greatly reduces the home’s final price, giving families a chance at homeownership that would otherwise be out of reach. The $319,200 grant will be used to construct eight new homes.
“Homeownership helps people achieve economic stability and feel rooted in their neighborhoods,” said Representative Bonamici. “The USDA investments we are celebrating today will expand access to homeownership —particularly for first-time homebuyers from underserved communities. It’s exciting to see the landmark legislation we passed, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, making a real difference here in NW Oregon.”
Representative Bonamici and Administrator Berke also announced a loan of $1,135,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Tillamook County, which will be used to purchase a new commercial facility for the non-profit’s ReStore in Tillamook and to expand operations to meet increased need in the region. The Congresswoman and the Administrator hosted a roundtable at the ReStore in Forest Grove, where leaders in housing, infrastructure, and community development discussed infrastructure expansion and affordable housing. Oregon’s rural communities have cited the need for updated and expanded infrastructure as a barrier to developing workforce housing across the state.
“Oregon needs more houses, but without water, electrical, and broadband infrastructure, those homes will never be built,” Administrator Berke said. “That’s why USDA Rural Development is leveraging funds from the historic Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring working families one step closer to realizing their dreams of homeownership.”
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, including housing and infrastructure programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/or or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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