The Hillsboro City Council approved the selection of Hacienda Community Development Corporation (CDC)'s proposal to build the “Dolores” affordable housing development during its March 21, 2023 meeting.

The City selected Hacienda’s proposal following a competitive process for a site in the Tanasbourne area that attracted affordable housing developers from across the region.

Hacienda CDC is a community-based organization that provides affordable housing and holistic community programming and services, and will be the project’s developer and owner, and provide on-site resident services.

Hacienda has 11 affordable housing communities in the region — and this will be Hacienda’s first affordable housing development in Washington County. 

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the City of Hillsboro to deliver much needed affordable housing,” said Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC. "We're grateful for the opportunity to deliver quality affordable housing, culturally responsive resident services, and robust community building opportunities."

The City of Hillsboro is investing up to $10.5 million in Metro Affordable Housing Bond funds reserved for this project, pending additional consideration of City and Metro project approvals, including land use. 

Other sources of funding will include Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity, permanent debt with Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits (OAHTC) interest rate subsidy, and deferred developer fees.

Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2024. 

Dolores Affordable Housing Development 

The Dolores development will be sited in the Tanasbourne neighborhood on two land parcels. It will include 67 new affordable homes in a 3-story, elevator-served, community-inspired building with 74 off-street parking spaces.

The new affordable housing community is inspired by the area’s cultural diversity and the site’s history as a hazelnut tree orchard. The development is named Dolores in recognition of Latina agricultural labor rights advocate Dolores Huerta.

All 67 affordable units in the Dolores are designated for community members earning 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and below, including:

• 20 one-bedroom units
• 17 two-bedroom units
• 26 three-bedroom units
• 3 four-bedroom units

Ten of the apartments will be reserved for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) to serve individuals and families exiting homelessness. New Narratives will partner with Hacienda to provide wrap-around services for individuals and families served by permanent supportive housing.

“I’m very proud of the work that has been done,” said Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway following the City Council vote to approve the project. “This new development will provide people homes, provide people roots, provide people a strong future, and create a stronger community.”