August 21, 2020 11:20 a.m.

NeighborWorks Umpqua has secured over $4 million in low-cost loans and grants from Oregon Housing and Community Services address affordable housing in Douglas and Coos counties.

A release said the funds will support renovation projects in Roseburg and Coquille.

In Roseburg, NWU will use $1.6 million towards the renovation of the Grand Apartments, a historic property on Southeast Cass in downtown. NWU has owned that property since 2003. The release said the renovations will improve the building’s accessibility and energy efficiency, enhance common areas, modernize units, and preserve the historic features of the exterior. In addition to the renovations, NWU will integrate twelve units of supportive housing into the property for people who are unhoused.

The release said the Grand rehab project originated out of a collaborative effort by NWU, Adapt, and the Housing Authority of Douglas County to develop solutions to address homelessness in the county. Collectively the partnership is called the Douglas County Supportive Housing Collaborative. It is working to create quality housing that responds to the needs of the most vulnerable community members.

In addition to the units at the Grand, NWU will place twelve units in another property which is also owned by the non-profit. NWU will serve as the project developer with Adapt providing comprehensive support services to the residents. The 24 units will be receiving rental assistance and will be dedicated to housing the most vulnerable, chronically unhoused people in the community.

Suzi Pritchard of NWU told News Radio 1240 KQEN the project is slated to begin in early 2021 and be completed by the end of that year. NWU will work with current residents to find temporary housing while construction is underway. She said no residents will be displaced permanently.

In addition to the Roseburg project, another $2.5 million will be going for a project in Coquille.

For more information, go to www.nwumpqua.org.