The city of Irrigon is set to receive $1.7 million as part of a Senate bill the Legislature passed during the short session earlier this year, according to a press release.
The $1.705 million in funding — through SB 1530 — will go toward infrastructure including water, sewer and stormwater. Increasing infrastructure should help support more housing, the release said. Gov. Tina Kotek signed the bill into law on April 17.
Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, as well as Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, and staff with the League of Oregon Cities helped ensure Irrigon received the funding, the release said. Its portion is among more than $85 million that has been directed to several Oregon cities for infrastructure, leading to increased and sustainable housing.
“I am grateful to the staff at the League of Oregon Cities who assisted with the interactions to Oregon legislators and for our two local representatives that assisted in moving the request through the Oregon House and Senate and eventually to the governor’s desk for approval,” said Irrigon City Manager Aaron Palmquist in an email about the funding.
The city of Irrigon, like cities across Oregon, is experiencing housing growth needs and challenges. A major shortage is housing, as available rentals and home prices are increasing and adding to the growing homelessness crisis, the press release said.
Additionally, it said, decades of underbuilding have left Irrigon and the state with this housing shortage. Oregon is behind by 140,000 housing units and needs over 400,000 units over the next 20 years to keep pace with the demand.
Business Oregon is the lead state agency ensuring contracts, timelines and expenditures are in compliance with the appropriated legislation to meet the housing needs with jurisdictions receiving appropriations.
According to the press release, Irrigon is not anticipating receiving its portion until after the beginning of the new fiscal year, July 1. Funding will go to prepare two projected development areas for public water and sewer infrastructure in the public rights of way, saving developers from building and passing costs onto future buyers or renters.
Once the city receives the funds, engineers design project work and create public bidding documents. Design and contracting bidding are expected to take place by the fall with construction completed for water and sewer in 2025.
Installed infrastructure enables developers to finalize platting requirements and begin building homes soon thereafter, leading to an estimated 65 single family homes for purchase and/or rentals.
