HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY HOUSING FUND In 2002, Washington County strategic planning process concluded there was a shortfall in the production of housing affordable to working families and those living on fixed incomes. The group identified the single most important strategy to increase affordable housing production, which was the creation of new financial resources. Specifically, nonprofit developers of affordable housing cited the need for feasibility and due diligence funding, at below-market rates, to allow for the evaluation of a proposed project. Those developers shared that they typically do not have “risk capital” to engage in this early exploratory work (e.g. options on land, soil analysis, architectural drawings, permit fees, and land surveying). These steps are generally required before approaching local governments or conventional lenders for support. In response, the County established the Community Housing Fund in 2003 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, designed to endure as a long-term capital asset for Washington County. The Fund has a strong Board of community leaders who share and support our mission. Since the 2004 the Fund has deployed approximately $4.8 million in cumulative capital and supported numerous projects across the County, representing the preservation or creation of over 1300 units. Over 300 units of new construction are in the current pipeline. The Fund is grateful to its public and private investors, including Washington County, the Cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro, foundations such as the Meyer Memorial Trust, the Oregon Community Foundation, and the Joseph Weston Public Foundation, and JP Morgan Chase/Advancing Cities initiative, all of whom support our mission. The Fund also serves as an ongoing community catalyst, bringing together potential beneficiaries of proposed housing developments with experienced non-profits who are able to deliver projects as planned and repay loans made by the Fund to further positive outcomes.