State-Funded Wildfire Housing Recovery Projects Completed Across Oregon

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced that all state-funded housing recovery developments created in response to the devastating 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds have been completed, marking a significant milestone in Oregon’s long-term disaster recovery efforts.

The completion of the housing projects comes during National Wildfire Awareness Month and represents years of work to help families rebuild after one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in state history.

Gov. Tina Kotek praised the achievement, noting the importance of the state’s early investment in housing recovery.

“The 2020 Labor Day fires were a devastating time for many Oregonians, and I was proud to champion state-funded housing support in 2021 when I was Speaker to make sure we could start on recovery while we waited for federal assistance,” Kotek said. “This is an important milestone, achieved because of the hard work of so many to help people who lost their homes because of the wildfires.”

In August 2021, the Oregon Legislature approved $150 million for housing recovery efforts in the eight counties hardest hit by the disasters: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties.

The funding was divided into two major programs. Approximately $36 million was allocated to the Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Account (WRRA), which provided shelter, clothing, and essential services to disaster survivors. The remaining $114 million funded the construction and rebuilding of housing lost in the fires, resulting in 324 homes across eight developments statewide, while also addressing survivors’ unmet housing needs and related recovery costs.

Among those benefiting from the recovery effort is Joshua Henley, a survivor of the Holiday Farm Fire who now lives at Lazy Days Mobile Home and RV Park in Blue River. Henley lost everything in the 2020 wildfire and said he never imagined he would be able to return home.

“There have been a lot of tears of gratitude. I’m so thankful,” Henley said. “There’s a certain comfort that comes when you get a level of permanence in your living situation. When you know your physical needs are taken care of, things start getting better.”

OHCS worked closely with local organizations to deliver housing solutions throughout affected communities. In Lane County, Homes for Good partnered on the redevelopment of Lazy Days. In Jackson County, CASA of Oregon and Coalición Fortaleza assisted wildfire survivors in securing housing at the former Talent Mobile Estates, which was destroyed during the Almeda Fire.

The site, now known as Talent Community Cooperative, has been transformed into a resident-owned manufactured home park with 87 fully occupied homes.

“Joshua’s story and the journey of Talent Mobile Estates are grounded in the strength of community,” said Shannon Marheine, director of the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Division at OHCS. “Local organizations, local leaders and neighbors have been — and remain — beacons of hope, coming together in extraordinary ways. Each step of the way, locally driven and state-supported programs serve as a cornerstone, proving that the richest approach to recovery is based in local community.”

State officials say the completion of all state-funded developments demonstrates the impact of partnerships between local communities, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies in helping wildfire survivors regain stable housing and rebuild their lives.

OHCS, Oregon’s housing finance agency, administers housing and stabilization programs through grants, contracts, and loans to local partners and community-based organizations throughout the state. The agency continues to support affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Oregonians while helping communities recover from natural disasters.