Hillcrest Village will mark its grand opening Wednesday with a ribbon cutting at 952 NE Hillcrest Drive in Grants Pass, where the first affordable housing development in Josephine County designed specifically for veterans is preparing to welcome residents. The 36-apartment community reserves half of its homes for veterans and gives veterans priority for the other half.
The Mid Rogue Foundation announced the project in February 2024, when it laid out plans to build affordable rentals on land it owned along Northeast Hillcrest Drive. The foundation broke ground in September 2025. Three residential buildings now hold a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, with a fourth building set aside for community services.
The foundation planned the development with older residents and people with disabilities in mind. Its design called for step-free access, wider hallways and accessible bathrooms so residents could stay in their homes as their mobility needs change. The grounds include walking paths and garden space. Each apartment has air conditioning and its own washer and dryer. Water, sewer and garbage service are included in the rent.
The 18 homes set aside through Oregon’s Veterans General Housing Account Program require verification of military service. For the remaining apartments, veterans receive preference, and households without military service can also qualify. Applicants seeking veteran preference can document their service with a DD Form 214 or be referred through a qualifying agency.
Household income is capped at 60 percent of the area median income under both housing programs at the property. The dollar limit varies with household size. One-bedroom apartments can accommodate one to three people, and two-bedroom apartments are available to households of two to five under the property’s occupancy standards. The development charges no application fee and accepts tenant-based vouchers and other government rental assistance for qualifying apartments under Oregon’s Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program.
Getting municipal water to the property was a separate part of the project. The City of Grants Pass provided a $780,000 grant to help extend a water main to the site. The housing development drew funding from Oregon Housing and Community Services, People’s Bank, AllCare Health, the Carpenter Foundation, Four Way Community Foundation and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated through Josephine County.
Home First Development served as the foundation’s development consultant, and CIDA designed the buildings. The foundation’s plans placed the community services building alongside the residential buildings and incorporated shared outdoor space into the site. Inside the apartments, the design included quartz countertops, vinyl plank flooring and energy-efficient fixtures.
Leasing opened ahead of Wednesday’s ceremony. Prospective tenants can reach the leasing office at 503-405-5128 for current rents and apartment availability. The Mid Rogue Foundation has set a November or December target for the first move-ins. That puts the first leases on track to follow the ribbon cutting this fall, roughly a year after work began on the property.