Colonia Unidad and Esperanza Court
DEVELOPMENT SCOPE
New construction of 44 units, and rehab of 12 existing units, of affordable multifamily rental housing serving working families.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (FHDC) develops farmworker leadership to build stronger and more secure families and communities through affordable housing, social services, education, and economic development. At newly constructed Colonia Unidad and freshly rehabbed Esperanza Court, 56 families have access to affordable homes where they can build healthy lives and support their children’s educational success. Both housing communities are located near amenity-rich downtown Woodburn, Oregon, in a census tract where 67% of residents identify as Latinx and 36% live in poverty.
The homes at 12-unit Esperanza Court are restricted to low-income farmworkers and their families, while 44-unit Colonia Unidad offers a mix of farmworker and general workforce housing. In addition to providing affordable housing options for Woodburn’s nonagricultural workforce, Colonia Unidad’s mix of housing types enables farmworker residents to keep their housing as they move out of agricultural work and into other occupations. Both developments were funded through a single pool of financing sources that HDC helped FHDC assemble.
Creative Solutions
Finance. HDC worked with FHDC to finance the Colonia Unidad and Esperanza Court bundle through a mix of tax credit equity and other sources. Project-based Section 8 vouchers from the Marion County Housing Authority assist 14 very-low-income families at Colonia Unidad. When funding delays led to construction cost increases, creating a financing gap, HDC worked with the project’s financing partners to find solutions. Permanent lender NOAH increased the size of its loan, and Umpqua Bank closed the remaining gap by increasing its pricing on agricultural tax credits.
Design and Construction. A new building envelope and an upgraded HVAC system eliminated persistent moisture issues at Esperanza Court, while kitchen upgrades and a new playground improved residents’ quality of life. At Colonia Unidad, a sensitive site design centers the needs of families with children. Four low-rise buildings face a central green space, equipped with a playground and raised garden beds. A spacious community room with a commercial kitchen offers a welcoming spot for school programs and community meetings. Special touches include a boot-wash station where farmworkers rinse pesticides from their footgear, and a colorful exterior mural depicts real FHDC residents.
SPONSOR
Farmworker Housing Development Corporation
LOCATION
Woodburn, Oregon
HDC ROLE
Predevelopment loan, financial structuring, and construction management
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
→ Carleton Hart Architecture
→ LMC Construction
→ Oregon Housing and Community Services
→ Enterprise Community Partners
→ NOAH (Network for Oregon Affordable Housing)
→ Umpqua Bank
→ Marion County Housing Authority
→ HDC Community Fund
FUNDING SOURCES
→ Low-income housing tax-credit equity (9%)
→ Agricultural workforce housing tax credit equity
→ Oregon affordable housing tax credit equity
→ HOME funds
→ Project-based Section 8 vouchers
→ Low Income Weatherization Program funds
→ Predevelopment, construction, and permanent loans
SQUARE FEET
Residential: 51,000
Community Rooms: 3,000 Total: 54,000
COST
Total Development: $16.8 million
TIMELINE
Spring 2015 to Summer 2019