TD Council asks about need, rental rates in Chenowith Loop Affordable housing discussion

Karen Long, executive director of Mid-Columbia Housing Authority and Sergio Garcia, right, respond to questions from The Dalles City Council on Monday as they provided a presentation on the 76-unit Chenowith Loop affordable housing project at the former site of Westgate Market.

The Dalles, Ore., April 28, 2026 — City councilors received a detailed update Monday on the proposed Chenowith Loop affordable housing project, with discussion highlighting the region’s growing demand for low-cost housing options.

During the April 27 meeting, Councilor Dan Richardson questioned the scale of need locally. In response, Karen Long, executive director of Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, pointed to recent data from nearby Hood River as a clear indicator.

Long said the Mariposa Village development there — a 130-unit affordable housing complex — drew roughly 450 applications shortly after opening its waitlist. Demand for housing assistance was even steeper: about 150 people applied for just 39 available housing vouchers.

Three of the six main buildings and the community center at Mariposa Village affordable housing on Rand Road are scheduled to be completed in late July 2026, according to city of Hood River website.

She noted that vouchers, which rely on federal funding to subsidize rent, remain in critically short supply. Applicants can wait up to three years to receive assistance, she said, underscoring the demand for affordable housing.

Mayor Rich Mays pressed for details on what rents might look like at the Chenowith Loop development. Sergio Garcia, director of real estate development for Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, said final rent figures are not yet set. However, he indicated that rents would remain well below market rate.

Garcia told councilors that even for larger households — such as families of three or four — monthly rent would likely exceed $800, aligning with the project’s goal of serving low- to moderate-income residents.

Chenowith Loop building will face Chenowith Loop Road with a main entrance and two secondary entrances for offices and a community meeting room for educational purposes.

The Chenowith Loop project, planned for The Dalles, is expected to add much-needed housing inventory as the community continues to face tight rental availability and rising costs. The development is nearing construction, with city leaders signaling continued support as they weigh strategies to address housing shortages.

The discussion reflects broader regional pressures, as communities across the Columbia River Gorge grapple with balancing growth, affordability and access to housing resources.

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Read CCCNews original story on Chenowith Loop affordable housing here.