Oregon Invests $8 Million in Harbor Village Housing Preservation Project

The Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has recently finalized a pivotal preservation project at Harbor Village, a resident-owned manufactured home and RV community located in Newport, Oregon. This project, which was undertaken with an investment of $8 million and concluded in September 2026, underscores a significant commitment to enhancing long-term housing stability for low-income residents aged 55 and older. The importance of preserving such communities cannot be overstated, especially considering the increasing demand for affordable senior housing in the state.

Harbor Village is not just another manufactured home community; it serves as a case study demonstrating how state resources can be effectively utilized to empower residents through cooperative models of ownership and management. The initiative at Harbor Village began in 2020, when residents discovered that their community was set to be sold to a new owner. Facing an uncertain future, the residents organized themselves with support from CASA of Oregon to take control of their community's destiny by forming the Harbor Village Cooperative, ultimately succeeding in their purchase in May 2021. This move transformed the way residents interact with their living conditions, fostering a sense of agency and responsibility that is often missing in investor-owned communities.

The $8 million investment from OHCS is a portion of the overall project cost of approximately $18 million. This funding played a crucial role in both the acquisition of the property and necessary infrastructure improvements. The enhancements made to Harbor Village focused on renewing aging utilities and facilities, which were described as being over 50 years old. Critical improvements were made in areas such as water and sewer systems, erosion control, road repairs, accessibility upgrades, and overall operational capacity for residents and management alike. As Blanca Smith, the Board Secretary of Harbor Village Cooperative, remarked, the upgrades have led to greatly improved living conditions for residents. She stated, "It has been an absolute godsend because we are running at a good capacity now, just like any other homeowner. We don’t have to worry about the power going out all the time, not getting enough water pressure, all of that is in fine working order now."

In addition to improving the standards of living for its residents, the project heralds a broader trend in municipal housing strategies that favor resident-owned communities. These collectives allow residents to have a direct say in the management and decisions within their living environments, contrasting sharply with traditional investor-owned parks that prioritize profits over community welfare. With 29 other resident-owned communities across the state, the Harbor Village initiative reflects a growing movement supported by state investments, which aim to preserve affordable homeownership while enabling residents to engage actively in their community’s decisions and future.

The implications for contractors and service providers in the housing development space are substantial. Businesses with qualifications in infrastructure upgrades, utility modernization, and community development are encouraged to engage with state agencies like OHCS, as the demand for similar preservation projects continues to rise. Procurement professionals should take note of the funding mechanisms employed, which include Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits as part of the financing package, as these could serve as a model for future projects seeking to blend funding and community involvement successfully.

Such initiatives present rising opportunities for contractors focused on infrastructure improvements and community development sectors. The cooperative ownership model, as successful exemplified at Harbor Village, may steer future procurement strategies towards projects that emphasize community involvement, sustainability, and resilience in affordable housing — all essential factors as state and local governments navigate the increasing challenges related to aging populations and affordable housing shortages.

• OHCS invested $8 million in Harbor Village preservation project.
• Total project cost estimated at around $18 million.
• Harbor Village serves low-income residents aged 55 and older.
• Community previously organized to purchase property from private ownership in 2021.
• Cooperative management model empowers residents and promotes long-term sustainability.
• Focus areas for preservation included water/sewer improvements, erosion control, and accessibility.
• Harbor Village is among 29 resident-owned communities in Oregon advocating for affordable housing stability.
• Companies specializing in cooperative models can explore new opportunities in community-based housing projects.
• OHCS funding approaches may be applied to other similar community development projects throughout the state.