CCHC Moves Forward with Columbia View Rehabilitation

Oct 1

Written By Columbia Community Connection

From Mid Columbia Housing Authority:

By Sheree Hernandez

Cascade Locks, Ore., Oct. 1, 2026 — Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation (CCHC) has completed the purchase of Columbia View Apartments, a 12-unit affordable housing community in Cascade Locks, clearing the way for a substantial rehabilitation of the 51-year-old property.

CCHC is a nonprofit affordable housing organization that works to develop, preserve, and support affordable housing throughout the Columbia Gorge. While creating new affordable homes is an important part of that mission, preserving the affordable housing that already exists is equally critical, particularly in smaller communities like Cascade Locks where housing opportunities are limited and replacing existing affordable housing can be extraordinarily difficult.

“This is exactly the kind of work CCHC is here to do,” said Karen Long, Executive Director of Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation. “Twelve homes may sound small on paper, but in Cascade Locks those homes are a meaningful part of the community. We are excited to invest in Columbia View, strengthen what is already here and keep these apartments affordable for the people who call this community home.”

Planned improvements include replacement of the roof, siding, windows and exterior doors; new decking and stairs; upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, plumbing fixtures, HVAC systems and interior finishes; parking and site improvements; and conversion of one existing apartment to provide an accessible unit and improved accessible routes throughout the property.

CCHC expects construction to move quickly following closing and hopes to have all 12 apartments fully operational again before the end of 2026.

“Construction is often the straightforward part,” said Sergio Garcia, Director of Real Estate Development. “The real challenge is getting all the pieces to line up. Every funding source has its own requirements, deadlines and approval process, and you’re coordinating lenders, agencies and the project team at the same time. If one piece gets out of sequence, it can put both the timeline and the feasibility of the deal at risk.”

The project was made possible through a combination of public grant and loan resources and the participation of numerous partners, including Oregon Housing and Community Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Enterprise Community Partners, the Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing, LMC Construction, Workshop Architecture, legal and financial partners, and others who helped navigate the financing, design, regulatory and closing process.

CCHC also extends its sincere appreciation to Daniel and Judith Bausch and their family trusts, the property’s previous long-time owners. The Bauschs remained steadfast throughout a complicated, multiyear transaction because they believed in preserving Columbia View as affordable housing and were personally invested in seeing the property remain available to lower-income households in Cascade Locks. Their patience and willingness to work through the lengthy acquisition and financing process were essential to making the preservation possible.

“Our team knows the residents at Columbia View and understands how much stability in their housing matters,” said Joe Gillock, Asset Manager. “For the families and individuals who live here, these improvements are not just a list of construction items. They mean a more comfortable home, fewer recurring maintenance concerns and a property that can continue serving them well for years to come.”

In a community like Cascade Locks, where housing opportunities are limited and affordable rental housing is especially scarce, the loss of even a small affordable property can have an outsized impact. Preserving 12 existing homes may not generate the same headline number as a large new development, but those homes matter deeply to the families who live there and to the long-term affordability of the community.

CCHC also welcomes conversations with owners of existing rental properties who are considering exiting ownership but would like to see their housing preserved as affordable. Whether a property is currently regulated affordable housing or naturally occurring affordable housing, CCHC is committed to protecting the region's existing affordable housing stock whenever possible.