OHA’s Healthy Homes Grant Program seeks improved housing conditions, health outcomes for low-income residents to prevent displacement

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Health Authority has awarded $23 million to repair and rehabilitate homes of low-income residents to eliminate risks to residents’ health to the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon and 34 local organizations.

The funds are from the Healthy Homes Grant Program, established to improve health by rehabilitating living environments in Oregon.

In Central Oregon, NeighborImpact is receiving $750,000 in leveraged funding to expand the scope and capacity of its existing weatherization program to provide home repair services to households across the region.

Housing Works, meanwhile, will get about $583,000 to make health, accessibility, safety and preservation improvements to three properties it owns, totaling 33 units that serve disabled and very low-income people.

“Research has shown there is an inextricable link between a person’s health and housing status, and that quality of housing is a social determinant of health,” said Oregon Public Health Division Director Naomi Adeline-Biggs, MBBS, MPH. “With the Healthy Homes grants, Oregon is helping to prevent and reduce short- and long-term negative health outcomes by addressing the quality of housing as a public health issue.”

People living in poverty are more likely to live in substandard housing that is not healthy or safe and are at higher risk of losing homes that are not well-maintained or repaired. Older and substandard housing is more likely to contain hazards such as peeling or deteriorated lead-based paint. Delaying maintenance can lead to leaking roofs or pipes, which can cause mold. Uninsulated homes can be drafty and uncomfortable for residents and result in higher energy bills.

Homes that are not well-maintained or repaired can also lead to lead poisoning, asthma and other respiratory diseases, cancer, unintended injures, increased stress, poor school attendance for children and missed workdays for parents. Improved housing conditions for low-income families can prevent illness and reduce their health care costs, improve safety, conserve natural resources and reduce energy costs for occupants.

The organizations—nonprofits, local housing authorities, community action agencies and local governments serving communities in all areas of the state—are each receiving between $199,980 to $750,000 to use over a three-year period. The grants are intended to help homeowners and landlords repair and rehabilitate homes inhabited by low-income residents, including renters, to improve their environmental health and safety.

The Oregon Legislature established the HHGP in 2021. It directs OHA to provide grants to local organizations serving low-income residents to repair and rehabilitate homes, including rental properties, throughout the state.

Funding recipients

OHA is awarding nearly $20.4 million in HHGP funds to 34 organizations through a competitive grant process and were selected from a pool of 75 applicants.

The grantees with the strongest proposals for meeting the priorities set in state law include organizations experienced in improving the health or safety of occupants of residences, maximizing energy efficiency or extending the usable life of homes which serves eligible households in Oregon; and organizations serving historically unrepresented and underserved communities, including people of color, those who are low-income, and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

In addition, OHA has set aside $3 million in HHGP funds for the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon, honoring government-to-government relationships. OHA is working with each Tribe to award this funding.

For a video highlighting this work and to hear from recipients, visit this link.

A full list of competitive grant recipients is available on the HHGP website, www.oregon.gov/healthyhomes.

Project examples

Examples of funded projects include home assessments to identify priority structural, health and safety repair needs; energy efficiency updates to protect against extreme temperatures; roof replacements; making homes less susceptible to wildfire damage; and abatement of radon, mold, mildew, and lead-based paint.

The projects will use HHGP funds to fill gaps and leverage other state and federal funding, such as Community Development Block Grants, Weatherization Assistance Program funding and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund.

Grant funding schedule

OHA sent letters of intent to successful grant applicants in August and has been working with individual organizations to finalize grant agreements. The agency hopes to finish executing the grant agreements by the end of January. Grant recipients will have up to three years to complete their projects.

In Mel Kiper’s new Big Board ahead of the national championship, Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon is listed as the No. 19 best available prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was the only Duck named in the the top 25 of Kiper’s player rankings.

On ESPN’s NFL Draft Big Board, Harmon is listed at No. 32. Josh Conerly Jr. are placed at No. 20 and Jordan Burch at No. 42.

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As a 6-5, 310-pound defensive tackle, Burch started his collegiate career with the Michigan State Spartans. In three seasons in East Lansing from 2021-23, he put together 69 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble.

In his breakout season under coach Dan Lanning that gained the attention of NFL front offices, Burch finished with 49 total tackles, 34 pressures, 11 run stops, five sacks, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble. He went on to be named to the All-Big Ten Third Team.

“What jumps out to me most is his consistent disruptiveness on a game-to-game basis. He combines quickness with power to cause chaos for opponents. And his scheme-versatility only adds to his value; Harmon can dominate at either defensive tackle or end.”

– ESPN’s NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper

Burch can impact both the run and pass game at the next level. He created a ton of havoc for opposing backfields in the Big Ten Conference, and NFL franchises are intrigued by his overall college experience in multiple defensive schemes.

Burch took advantage of the national stage with the Oregon college football program and become one of top defensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft class. With his built body structure and long arms, Burch has the makings of an All-Pro level talent if he can build upon his collection of pass rush moves to compliment his excellent array of run rush moves.

“One of my favorite players in the draft, Harmon can do a lot of things effectively up front, including getting pressure on all four downs. Harmon isn’t just a gap-shooting player; he can hold up in the run game, even against double-teams, and effectively perform a lot of roles… Getting someone who can contribute against the run and provide help for Trey Hendrickson is a nice piece to help build a unit.”

– Nate Tice via Yahoo Sports

The NFL Draft Combine will run from Thursday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, Mar. 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The NFL Draft will take place on Thursday, Apr. 24 through Saturday Apr. 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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Inauguration Day, when President-elect Donald Trump will officially return to the White House, will take place Monday.

Trump will be sworn in at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda after the inauguration was moved indoors due to forecast cold weather in Washington, D.C. The last time an inauguration was moved indoors was 40 years ago for President Ronald Reagan in 1985.

Here is a list of Oregon politicians who told the Statesman Journal they will be attending or missing the inauguration as of Friday.

Is U.S. Labor Secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s pick for U.S. secretary of labor and a former Oregon Republican Congresswoman, did not respond to the Statesman Journal’s inquiry on Friday asking if she would attend the inauguration.

Is Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

No, Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, is not attending the inauguration.

Is U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

No, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, is not attending the inauguration. A representative from Wyden’s office said the senator was hosting planned townhalls in Oregon over the weekend and would be visiting the Providence nurses on strike in Portland before returning to Washington, D.C., Monday for evening votes.

Is U.S. Sen Jeff Merkley attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, is planning to attend the inauguration.

Is U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, an Oregon Democrat, is planning to attend the inauguration.

Is U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, an Oregon Democrat, is planning to attend the inauguration, although recent venue changes may affect her decision.

Is U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

No, U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat, will not attend the inauguration. A represent from her office said Bonamici will be gathering with immigration advocates, attending an MLK Day breakfast with community leaders and volunteering with an organization that serves homeless youth.

“I will not be attending the inauguration in DC this year. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of service and I will be spending it in Oregon with community members and organizations who are working to create a better future,” Bonamici said.

Is U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, an Oregon Republican, is planning to attend the inauguration, although recent venue changes may affect his decision.

Is U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, an Oregon Democrat, will attend the inauguration.

Is U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, an Oregon Democrat, was unsure if should would be attending the inauguration when contacted by the Statesman Journal on Friday.

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.