Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is accepting public comments on updates to the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) through December 19, 2021. You can find the draft 2022 QAP HERE. Written comments may be emailed to HCS.QAP@oregon.gov or call Angela Parada, Senior Tax Credit Program Manager, at 971-273-9780.

Key changes proposed include:

Addressing Equity and Racial Justice

  • Adding a culturally specific set-aside to the 9% credit allocation set asides and requiring an Equity and Racial Justice lens on OHCS’ 4% credit applications.

Solidifying the Right of First Refusal

  • Serves to protect the rights of OHCS’ non-profit partners and is applicable to both the 9% and 4% tax credits.

Changes to HERA State Basis Boost qualifying projects list

  • There are updates to the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) state basis boost qualifying projects criteria and the location factor scoring.

Location Factor Scoring

  • Renames the categories and reorganizes the points to more succinctly define locations’ needs and change over time of their characteristics, as well as adds metrics centered on identified impacts on residential livelihood, health, and opportunity.

Administratively Necessary Updates

  • Transition of OHCS’ 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) from a non-competitive system to a prioritization and competition-based allocation.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program was created under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. The program is jointly administered by the United States Treasury Department Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax credit allocation agencies such as OHCS. Oregon’s QAP is responsive to specific requirements established by the IRS and includes guidance for both the competitive 9% LIHTC Program and the 4% LIHTC Program.