Casa Lomas

25 Units

The Dalles, OR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What we do

Multi-Family Rental Housing
The majority of housing produced by CASA is in-town, multi-family rental housing for year-round farm workers. Depending on the funding source, these developments typically take from two to five years from conception to completion. Units produced to date represent an investment in farmworker housing of more than $40 million.

Migrant Housing Projects
Migrant housing projects have consisted primarily of the rehabilitation of on-farm labor camps and shelters such as St. Joseph Shelter in Mt. Angel. Migrant housing is for farm workers who need temporary shelter on a short term basis. CASA proposes to emphasize new construction of in-town, community-based housing for migrants. During 1999, CASA will complete a study of in-town migrant housing. This study will evaluate community based housing in states with large populations of migrant farm workers.

Homeownership Classes and Counseling
The educational component of the Homeownership Program grew from a demand of farmworker families that needed assistance buying a home. In 1993, CASA providing homeownership classes throughout Oregon. The homeownership classes cover the home buying process and how to maintain a home.

Another important need became apparent when farmworker families started submitting home loan applications. There was a need for one-on-one counseling. The counseling component quickly became an essential part of the homeownership program.

The Homeownership Program not only educates potential farmworker home buyers but also educates loan officers, underwriters, real estate agents and title companies on how to work with farmworker families. Many of these people have subsequently been involved in the farmworker and Latino communities.

Washington Mutual funded the first five years of the CASA homeownership classes starting in 1993. In 1997, CASA with the assistance of Washington Mutual received a Federal Home Loan Grant of $100,000 to fund El Camino a Viviendas Homeownership Program. The funds have been used to provide assistance, classes and counseling to potential homebuyers.


Lease-Purchase Program
Under this program, CASA constructs houses and leases them to farmworker families. Development financing was a package of low interest loans, grants, and tax credit programs. During the lease period, the families receive one-on-one counseling to assist them in becoming homeowners. 

In 1990, CASA developed three new houses under this program. All three now belong to farmworker families. CASA worked with the Housing Development Corporation of Washington County to develop five houses, which were subsequently sold to farmworker families. CASA also developed five additional houses in Lafayette. Two have been sold, while the other three farmworker families are preparing loan applications.

Homeownership Survey
Beginning in January of 1999, we proposed a survey of families we have assisted with homeownership classes, financial assistance and with one-on-one counseling. The outcome of this project will be to evaluate how homeownership has affected the lives of farm workers and their families. 

The staff developed a survey form that will objectively determine the efficiency of our homeownership program. Included in this survey are farmworker families living in rental housing (developed by CASA) to get a clearer picture on homeownership desirous and preparedness. A statistician at Portland State is correlating the surveys. The final results of the Homeownership Survey should be completed by September of 1999.

Community Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI)
In January 2000 the US Treasury certified CASA a Community Development Financial Institution. For more information click here. 

Property Management
CASA of Oregon has managed farm labor camps and rural rental housing for farm workers. The organization expertise lies in its grassroots involvement at the community level and its ability to lease up projects quickly and provide ongoing management assistance. CASA currently holds an annual farmworker asset and property management conference for property managers, owners, asset managers and maintenance personnel.

Organized and presented the 1st Annual Farmworker Housing Asset and Property Management Conference that was attended by 84 people representing 30 organizations.Prepared workbook for managing farmworker properties.

Resident Services Directory
This is a directory that consists of services available to farmworker families living in our projects. To go to our directory click here.

Training, Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
Since 1992, CASA has provided technical assistance to Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) and potential CHDOs throughout rural Oregon. Funding for these activities is from the HUD HOME Technical Assistance Program. 

Assistance in organization capacity and housing development is provided in three ways: direct technical assistance, training opportunities and pass-through funds. CASA staff provides the assistance with the support of consultants in specific areas of expertise such as fund development.
 

Valley Individual Development Accounts (VIDA)

CASA is the administrator of the Valley Individual Development Accounts Collaborative (VIDA) which administers an Individual Development Accounts Program (IDA). IDA’s are savings accounts designated to help low-income adults and youth build their financial assets and move up and out of     poverty. Individual contributions to the savings accounts are “matched” from federal, state or private resources. The IDA program is available primarily to people earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level and with less than $10,000 in assets. 

Adult participants may save towards small business development or expansion; post-secondary education or job training; or down payment on a home. Youth may save for educational, artistic and athletic goals.

Participants  save over a period of up to three years and will have their savings matched 3:1 up to $4,000 for adults and $600 for youth. For more information click here. 


Special Projects, Publications and Reports
Since its inception, CASA has had many opportunities to provide specialized assistance to organizations which serve farmworker population. In the past, this assistance has been in the form of construction management, publications and reports.

2212 East First Street • Newberg, Oregon 97132-2904 • Phone: 503.537.0319 • Fax: 503.537.0558