Too many Oregonians are working hard and still can’t find stable housing. At Stronger Oregon, we see the consequences of housing instability every day—in missed therapy appointments, unsafe environments, and the heavy burden that chronic stress places on individuals and families.
In response, we’re launching something bold: The Dry Land Housing Program, a mission-driven rental housing initiative built specifically for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) applicants and others struggling with the rising cost of rent in Oregon.
If approved through pending grant support, Dry Land will break ground in Portland in 2026.
What Is Dry Land?
Dry Land is more than housing—it’s a foundation for wellness and stability. The program will offer affordable rental units for:
OHP members with unmet HRSN needs, such as housing insecurity
Community members in need of rent-controlled housing, including the working poor, individuals with disabilities, and families at risk of displacement
While the design of each site will vary depending on land use and zoning, the goal is clear: create dignified, affordable housing in safe, community-rooted spaces.
Why "Dry Land"?
The name Dry Land speaks to safety after crisis—a place to land, to recover, and to rebuild. For many people navigating poverty, trauma, or homelessness, the simple act of having stable, dry ground beneath them is life-changing.
Dry Land is that promise: housing you can count on, surrounded by supportive services.
Key Features
Rent-Controlled Units: Affordable pricing tiers for HRSN-qualified tenants and broader low-income applicants
Community-Based Screening: Priority given to individuals facing housing instability and referred by case management or healthcare systems
Proximity to Services: Close ties to Stronger Oregon’s mental health, case management, and HRSN support teams
Built for Dignity: High-quality design, with access to shared green spaces, secure entrances, and communal resources
Sustainably Operated: Long-term affordability backed by grants, nonprofit funding, and innovative development partnerships
A Vision for Equitable Housing
Housing is healthcare. At Stronger Oregon, we’re working to integrate social needs into the care system—and housing is the most urgent unmet need for thousands of Oregonians. Dry Land is a model for what’s possible when mental health, public health, and housing systems work together.
Pending grant approval in 2025, the first Dry Land site will begin development in Portland in 2026, with plans to expand to other regions in the future.
Let’s Build Something That Lasts
If you’re a funder, policymaker, developer, or community partner interested in joining this mission, we want to hear from you.
📧 Contact us: housing@strongeroregon.com
🌐 Learn more: www.StrongerOregon.com/DryLand
🏠 Launching 2026 – Portland, Oregon
Dry Land is more than a place to live.
It’s a place to heal, rebuild, and belong.