813-039-0015 Eligibility (1) Sponsors must demonstrate to the Department’s satisfaction that a proposed Project will expand the state’s supply of housing for low and/or very low income Farmworkers. To expand the state’s supply of such housing means increasing the amount of qualifying residential housing or extending the use as qualifying residential housing of units or structures that otherwise would be lost for that purpose because of deteriorating habitability or other circumstances. The Department, in ascertaining the efficacy of a proposed Project to expand the state’s supply of such housing, may consider factors including, but not limited to the following: (a) The likelihood of the Project resulting in expanded housing for low or very low income Farmworkers; (b) The likelihood of the Project developing increased capacity in Oregon communities to create and operate additional qualifying housing; (c) The immediacy between funding of assistance from the Account and the expansion of housing; (d) The quality of the intended housing; (e) The duration of such housing and any assurances of same; (f) The quantity of the intended housing; (g) The amount of requested Account assistance; and (h) The location and demand for the intended housing. (2) Assistance from the Account normally is available to Sponsors only for the following purposes: (a) To acquire or lease land; (b) To construct new or to acquire and/or rehabilitate existing structures for housing low and/or very low income Farmworkers; (c) To match public or private moneys available from other sources for the purposes of developing appropriate Farmworker housing; (d) To provide training and technical assistance that in the Department’s judgment will promote the development of appropriate Farmworker housing; and (e) To assist with operational costs or with the provision of services as a last resort to prevent the loss of existing housing for low and very low income Farmworkers. (3) The Department may further restrict or expand the purposes for which Account assistance may be used with respect to a particular Project. (4) Sponsors must demonstrate to the Department’s satisfaction that they have the capacity, experience and dedication to utilize properly any assistance from the Account for its intended purposes. The Department, in ascertaining whether or not a particular Sponsor has such capacity, experience and dedication, may consider factors including, but not limited to the following: (a) The number of personnel and depth of other resources available to the Sponsor for the Project; (b) The training and other qualifications of such personnel and the quality and relevance of other resources; (c) The organizational structure and effectiveness of the Sponsor, including its cost accounting procedures; (d) The reputation and standing of the Sponsor, and any of its personnel, among knowledgeable parties; (e) The experience of the Sponsor in developing or operating similar Projects; (f) The experience of the Sponsor in developing or operating low-income housing generally; (g) The Department’s past experience with the Sponsor or any of its personnel; (h) The Sponsor’s involvement in other housing and community services projects or programs; and (i) The Sponsor’s cooperation with the Department in the Application process or otherwise. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 456.515, 456.547, 456.550, 456.555, 456.559, 456.571, 456.625, 458.620 & 458.660 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 456.555, 456.625, 458.620 & 458.660 History: OHCS 13-2002, f. & cert. ef. 10-10-02