1274 Fifth St. Ste 1A
Woodburn, OR 97071
(503) 981-1324
FAX: (503) 981-3662
www.fhdc.org

Roberto Jimenez (center right) and staff

AGENCY INFORMATION
Roberto Jimenez, Executive Director
Total Number of Staff: 27
Number of Housing Staff: 10 (counting property management); 1 development staff
Operating budget: $1,100,000
Total Cost of Development: $9,000,000
Area Served: Woodburn, Salem, and Independence, Oregon (Marion & Polk counties)

Total Number of People Housed (as of end of 2010): Approx. 1,000
Total Number of Units Developed: 194 (Rental-188; Homeownership-6)
Total Number of Units Under Development: 84 (all Rental)

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED

• Social Services
• Child Care
• Youth Programs
• Workforce Development
• Community Safety
• Economic Development
• Community Organizing
• Green Building
• Community Facilities

MISSION
Recognizing the vital contribution of farmworkers to our economy, the mission of FHDC is to develop farmworker leadership for stronger and more secure families and communities through affordable housing, social services, education, and economic development.  The mission is carried out by pursuing the following goals:

• To develop and manage affordable housing located within Urban Growth Boundaries
• To provide social and educational services that promote personal and economic self-sufficiency
• To include farmworkers in decision-making and ongoing project management
• To develop and support the leadership of farmworkers within the larger community
• To build and strengthen community partnership

• In 1992 FHDC started the development of our first housing project, Nuevo Amanecer, amid fierce opposition of some community leaders who preferred to see farmworkers segregated in labor camps. We opened our doors to 50 families in 1994. In March of 1999 we completed the construction of Nuevo Amanecer Phase II, to add 40 more apartments. Nuevo Amanecer now houses a large community of 93 farmworker families, roughly 500 individuals.
• In 1995 FHDC started the development of a second housing project in downtown Woodburn, long the heart of the Latino farmworker community. It took the mobilization of farmworkers and residents who testified at public hearings for the site plan approval of Esperanza Court, a complex of 12 two-bedroom units. Esperanza Court opened in 1997.
• In 2001 we began construction of 6 homes (Villa del Sol) located on one acre of land within the Woodburn urban growth boundary. These attractive and spacious three bedroom, two bath homes were completed and sold to farmworkers for below market-rates.
• In 2003 FHDC began construction of the first farmworker housing project to be built in Salem. This new community, Colonia Libertad, opened in June, 2005 and provides a home to 48 farmworker families.
• In 2004 we began to work on the creation of a new project, Colonia Amistad. Groundbreaking for Colonia Amistad, a 38-apartment housing complex, occurred in June of 2006. Colonia Amistad was completed in the summer of 2007.
• In 2000 we began a 3 year capital campaign successfully raising more than $1.5 million for the Cipriano Ferrel Education Center. Cipriano Ferrel, who worked closely with Cesar Chavez until Chavez’ death in 1993, was a PCUN co-founder and President and co-founder of FHDC.
• With the completion of Colonia Amistad in 2007, FHDC now provides housing to approximately 900-1000 residents. Our rapid growth has given us the opportunity to also improve our organizational capacity. FHDC is currently in the process of completing our goal of establishing an Asset Management Department and creating an Asset Manager position.
• FHDC was awarded a Frederick P. Rose Architectural Fellowship by Enterprise Community Partners.
• Successful after school programs at all sites has led FHDC to achieve a 99% high school graduation rate among its youth residents.
• For the past three years FHDC and three other community development corporations have been working together with the intent of creating a homeownership center which would serve the residents of Marion and Polk County. In February of 2008, the Homeownership Center began full operations and is offering home buyer education, financial management skills, and other services to a diverse population, the majority of whom are low-income. FHDC has been instrumental in the creation of the homeownership center by providing strategic planning and grant writing assistance.
• In 2007, FHDC wrote two successful Consolidated Funding Cycle (CFC) applications to the State of Oregon.
• In 2009 FHDC completed the rehabilitation of Nuevo Amanecer Phase I & II (Housing communities in Woodburn, OR)
• In 2009 FHDC’s Property and Asset Management Director completed her National Certification as an Asset Manager.
• In August of 2010 FHDC was awarded grant funding through the OHCS to acquire, preserve, and rehab two existing affordable housing projects in Sublimity and Stayton, OR (24 units each)
• In June of 2010 FHDC’s Executive Director was selected to participate in the NeighborWorks® Achieving Excellence in Community Development program in collaboration with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
• In early 2010 FHDC co-authored two articles that were published in the Journal of Biosocial Science, Cambridge University Press.
• In September of 2010 FHDC’s Executive Director was invited by the White House Domestic Policy Council and National Economic Council, and the United States Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and the Treasury, to participate in the convening on the future of the Nation’s rental housing policies.
• On November of 2010 FHDC was chosen by The Latino Caucus of American Public Health Association as the only recipient of the 2010 Meritorious Community-Based Health Organization Award. This national award is bestowed upon an organization that exhibits an “excellent record of exceptional service in the field of health promotion and disease prevention in Latino communities.”
• FHDC’s Nuevo Amanecer housing project was recognized by Enterprise Community Partners as one of the most successful green rehabilitation projects in their national portfolio. The rehab was completed in the summer of 2009 and assessed by Enterprise in 2010.
• In October of 2010 FHDC was awarded the Golden Hammer Award by the Oregon Opportunity Network. The award is presented to honor a project that best demonstrates the ideals of affordability, quality of design, asset management, livability, community revitalization or service integration.
• FHDC’s Fund Development Director was recently accepted for the inaugural class of the National Association of Latino Community and Asset Builders (NALCAB) Colegio (College): Community Economic Development Fellowship. FHDC’s Fund Development Director was one of five recipients of the Fellowship in the Northwest and Midwest U.S.

CURRENT PROJECTS

• Nuevo Amanecer Phase IV, Woodburn
• Westside Apts., Stayton
• Summerset Apts., Sublimity

PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT

Oregon Housing and Community Services • Enterprise Community Partners • City of Woodburn • Housing Development Center

STAFF PARTICIPATING IN INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Jessy Olson Multi-Family Development
Maria Elena  Guerra Property and Asset Management
Laura  Isiordia Homeownership Education
Jaime  Arredondo Resident Services
Doug Ross Fiscal Managers

Jessy Olson                            jessyolson@fhdc.org                                           Multi-Family Development

Maria Elena Guerra             mariaguerra@fhdc.org                                       Property & Asset Management

Laura Isiordia lauraisiordia@fhdc.org                                       Homeownership Education

Jaime Arredondo jaimearredondo@fhdc.org                                Resident Services

Doug Ross                              dougross@fhdc.org                                             Fiscal Managers