Third Street Commons

This site, originally known as the Budget Inn, was purchased through Project Turnkey. It has been operating as non congregate shelter, in partnership with Unity Shelter, for people experiencing houselessness since 2021, serving nearly 100 people. The current buildings will be demolished making way for the new project, with construction starting in late 2024.

Project Facts:

  • 46 units of Permanent Supportive Housing located on a 1.33 acres site owned by CHF south of downtown Corvallis and Oregon State
    University.
  •  Development to include:
    • 5 studio bedroom units
    • 41 one bedroom units
    • Community space and offices for partner services.
  • Rental subsidy will be provided to all 46 units.
  • Residents pay 27% of income towards rent.
  •  Resident and case management services provided on site.
  •  Partnerships to reach and better serve Communities of Color.

Project Need:

  • Corvallis was Oregon’s #1 rent burdened community in 2022.
    o 37% of residents are severely rent burdened (pay more than 50% of income for rent).
    o 26% of residents are rent burdened (pay more than 30% of income for rent).
  • From 2020 to 2022, Benton County “Point in Time” count of homeless individuals increased from 248 to
    293 – about 40% are chronically homeless.
  • Vacancy rate in Corvallis is approximately 2.5%. Rent increases are projected to be greater than 10%. Section 8 utilization is less
    than 30% in our community.

Trauma-Informed Design:

  • Safety: No interior hallways, all resident units open to the outside, 24/7 staffing
  • Choice: Smaller scale buildings, options for transitioning between spaces, multiple spaces for laundry, smoking, other activities
  • Collaboration: Based on focus groups, areas for resident and community gathering
  • Trustworthiness: Services and admin offices separated from resident areas
  • Empowerment: All service offices and residences accessible via elevator connected to
    walkways

Project Cost and Funding:

Financially Feasible 

  • Total estimated cost: $22,000,000
  • Secured:
    • $3,000,000 Congressional appropriation,
    • $5,000,000 State of Oregon direct appropriation,
    • $45,000 City of Corvallis CET funds
    • Oregon Housing and Community Services –Permanent Supportive Housing Program- 9.2 million
    • City of Corvallis HOME-ARP funds – 1.1 million
    • Linn-Benton Housing Authority – $750,000

Partners and Development Team:

City of Corvallis

Community Health Clinics of Linn and Benton Counties

NAACP of Linn and Benton County

Corvallis Daytime Drop-In Center Project
Help

Casa Unidos Latinos
Community Outreach Inc.

Community Services Consortium
Samaritan Health Services
Benton County