Some Facts of Life in Washington County

1. The mission of the Housing Development Corporation of Northwest Oregon is to empower working families with the greatest barriers to stability and prosperity by providing quality housing.

2. There’s no place like home. Finding safe, affordable housing is a family’s first priority. Everything else grows from this foundation – stable families and communities, and success in school and work. No hay lugar como el propio hogar. El encontrar un lugar seguro y accesible es la primera prioridad de una familia. Todo lo demas crecera de esta base solida. Estabiliza familias y comunidades y provee de exito en la escuela y el trabajo.

3. Some Facts of Life in Washington County • In Washington County. 50,000 people live in poverty. 70% of these are working, but still living at poverty level based on federal standards. These numbers have been increasing since the 1980s. • In our county, 100,000 people are living above the federal poverty level, but are still living on the edge; they are our ‘working poor’. • According to Mayor Hughes of Hillsboro, in Washington County, • 1 of 15 people are unemployed • 1 in 10 people live below the federal poverty index • 1 in 7 people has no health insurance • 1 in 6 people needs emergency food assistance • A recent study by Washington County states that 1 in 5 households in the county lacked affordable housing and that nearly 7,000 households were paying more than half of their income for housing (most of us pay about 25%). • The average cost for a 2 bedroom market-rate apartment in Washington County is $31,000 per year, or 2 times the federal poverty level for a family of 3. • According to Ron Johnson, Oregon Food Bank Board Chair, 1 in 6 Oregonians eat from emergency food boxes each year; 35% of those are working and 40% are children. • The National Agricultural Workers Study (NAWS) found in a study conducted from 2001-2004 that 29% of hired crop workers interviewed had family incomes that were below the federal poverty level.

4. More Facts of Life • The number of farmworkers in Washington County swells to 18,000 in the season. A great number of them live in unsanitary, unsafe, and overcrowded conditions, whether in labor camps or in private units. • Housing costs in Washington County are among the highest in Oregon. Housing is considered unaffordable if it costs more than 1/3 of the household’s monthly income. A family needs an annual income of $27,720 to afford an average 2 bedroom rental unit in Washington County with an average cost of $700 per month. • The average wage for a farmworker in Washington County according to OED is $21,404; however, this does not include workers not covered by UI, hired for a set fee, custom, or contract work. It is estimated that the median annual income for these workers is between $10,000 and $14,000 for families. • The housing cost burden puts the working poor at risk for financial crisis. One ordinary, unexpected expense can be catastrophic. • The most recent HDC affordable housing survey projected an affordable housing unit shortage of 2,875.

5. Why Should I Give to HDC? • 26 years of service to the community • Track record of success in the development of 10 housing properties that provide 456 affordable apartments and housing for 2,200 people • Holistic approach to poverty: housing, health, job training and education • 100% Board & Staff giving • Awards from Governor, U.S. Dept. of Labor, OHCS Dept. – proven results • Low administrative fees = your money to programs • Measurable, accountable outcomes • Investment Partnership • See the impact of your investments

7. Invest in HDC Help provide affordable housing and a better future for the working poor of our community. • Friend of the Children/Amigo de Los Ninos Gifts up to $99 • Builders Society/Constructores Gifts of $100- $499 • Partnership Circle/ Socios Gifts of $500 or more

8. Major Investments to Consider • $1,000 • Explorador Camp for 5 youth ages 16-21 • Community Garden for 1 season • Listos! Program for 3 youth • Matching funds to 10 donors • Holiday baskets for 20 families • $5,000 • Explorador Camp for 10 children in 4th-6th grades • Listos Program for 10 youth • Matching funds for IDA program • Support Promotores Program for 1 year • Build new Community Garden • $10,000 • Matching funds for IDA program for homeownership • Education tuition for 4 residents • Support Promotores program for 2 years • Adopt an apartment; honor someone/memorials • $25,000-$100,000 • Development, construction, rehabilitation funds for affordable housing units (Farmworker Housing Tax Credit can be assigned) • IDA program matching funds for several families to provide opportunities for homeownership

9. Check Credit Card Monthly Payments Securities Planned Giving Employer Matching Gifts Land/Property Sponsorships Volunteer Your Gifts are Needed Urgently at HDC To donate online, go to Donate Now at the home page of www.hdc.nwo.org

10. Once You’ve Thought it Over: Karen Shawcross Executive Director HDC 220 SE 12th Ave., Suite A-100 Hillsboro, OR 97123 503.693.2937, Ext. 104 kshawcross@hdcnwo.org We believe in the resilience and capacity of all human beings to help, change, adapt and lead in their own lives, their families, neighborhoods and communities.