John Day Urban Renewal Agency & Housing Incentive Program

The City of John Day currently offers four of the most aggressive housing incentive programs in the nation. These programs are available for new home construction, major renovations of existing properties, and land development for future housing improvements. The programs are administered by the John Day city council acting as the John Day Urban Renewal Agency board of directors. 

The New Home Incentive Program

• 7% cash rebate on new home construction (based on the increase in the the property’s assessed value)
• Payment of system development charges on behalf of the property owner (currently $7,400)

Existing Home Remodel Incentive Program

• 15% cash rebate (based on the increase in the property's assessed value) on substantial improvements to home facades, structural repairs, major remodels and new additions that add additional rooms and living space.
• The minimum AV increase to qualify for this incentive is $10,000.

Land Development Incentive Program

The URA may provide incentives to developers for the development of housing units in the Plan Area. This will be completed through a development agreement with the developer/builder/property owner that stipulates the amount and timing of the development and the amount and timing of the incentive.
These incentives can be:

• A direct contribution of funds;
• A rebate of a portion of property taxes paid;
• Contributions to the developer for infrastructure development;
• An agreement for the Agency to complete infrastructure improvements that are otherwise required as a condition of development approval;
• A combination of the above.

URA/City staff will conduct pre-development meetings with the developer/builder/property owner to identify the unique financing needs of each site. Staff will recommend a financing package to the URA Board that will contain recommendations on the appropriate form of incentive through negotiations with the developer/builder/property owner for the development of the housing units. The URA Board will approve the incentives and the ultimate signing of a development agreement containing those incentives and a commitment by the developer/builder/property owner for the production of the housing units. These development agreements will balance the needs for administration, incentives, and infrastructure needs of the City.

Infrastructure Investment Program

The URA may directly complete infrastructure improvements for horizontal improvements determined by the URA Board to help facilitate housing development and may complete improvements specified in a development agreement that tie the improvements to specific housing development. Unlike the Land Development Incentive Program, which contemplates incentives for private land developers, the Infrastructure Investment Program assumes the work will be performed directly by the URA, or the City of John Day through a public agency cooperative agreement, or through some other public agency affiliated with the URA. As these improvements are identified, a minor amendment will be made to the Plan to describe the specific improvements and the manner in which they will be developed.

Eligible properties must be located within the boundaries of the urban renewal area. A map of the eligible area is attached.

For additional information on these incentives, please contact city hall at (541) 575-0028.