Oregon Launches Elm Park to Address Housing and Child Care Affordability

In August 2026, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) launched Elm Park, a groundbreaking affordable housing development located in Florence, Oregon. This initiative stands out due to its innovative approach to address the pressing issues of affordable housing and child care simultaneously. By combining 32 affordable homes with a co-located child care center designed to serve 60 children, this project aims to alleviate the dual challenges many families face in the state, thus promising to enhance the quality of life for residents while providing new opportunities for local contractors.

The joint initiative aligns with broader statewide objectives to promote family stability through integrated services. Andrea Bell, Executive Director of OHCS, emphasized the unique challenges rural communities face and articulated the importance of delivering locally-driven solutions through flexible state resources. This aligns with the growing trend across the nation, where cities and towns are acknowledging the necessity of intertwining social infrastructures that meet essential family needs.

The Elm Park Learning Center is one of nine planned projects statewide by the organization BuildUp Oregon, which focuses on constructing affordable housing in tandem with child care facilities. Director Alyssa Chatterjee of DELC highlighted how co-locating child care services within housing developments helps remove daily barriers faced by parents, such as the difficulty of finding affordable child care separate from their homes. The ability to have children cared for within immediate proximity allows parents to maintain employment or pursue educational opportunities more easily,

Procurement professionals should take note of the implications this project may have for future solicitations. As Oregon continues to explore the importance of co-located social infrastructure, contractors specializing in both affordable housing and early childhood education infrastructure should prepare for more opportunities in similar projects. Given the statewide commitment to understanding and addressing the dual challenges of housing and childcare availability, stakeholders in the procurement community are encouraged to engage with state agencies like OHCS and DELC.

Furthermore, the Elm Park initiative aligns with national economic perspectives. A 2023 ReadyNation study highlighted a staggering $172 billion yearly loss in the U.S. economy due to insufficient child care for children under three. Addressing the intertwined issues of housing and child care not only enhances community welfare but also contributes to economic productivity. Governor Tina Kotek asserted the necessity of investing in core services despite broader national trends that threaten such initiatives, showcasing Oregon's commitment to maintaining and expanding essential support for families.

As procurement professionals monitor this emerging trend, they should consider:

• The growing trend of projects combining affordable housing with child care services as a response to pressing social needs.
• The importance of collaboration between local organizations such as Our Coastal Village, Head Start of Lane County, Stepping Stones, and BuildUp Oregon, which could present partnership opportunities for contractors.
• The potential impact on future RFPs and funding priorities favoring integrated projects that cater to both housing and supportive services.

Such projects reflect a forward-thinking approach to social infrastructure, signaling to contractors and vendors that versatility and collaboration will be vital in upcoming procurement opportunities.