Hillsboro is on track to build 332 affordable housing units through the Metro Affordable Housing Bond, exceeding the city's target by 48 units, Washington County commissioners heard during their Tuesday, Aug. 18 meeting in Hillsboro.

The quarterly housing update was one of several actions at the Board of Commissioners session, which also included approval of expanded mental health crisis team funding and a design contract for the Herman Road pedestrian improvement.

Housing bond surpasses goals

County-wide, 872 homes are complete or under construction through the bond, surpassing the target of 814 by 58 units, according to a March 2026 Metro oversight committee report. The county's 13 bond-funded projects will produce 1,019 units total from more than $130 million in bond funding.

Three Hillsboro projects anchor the city's progress: Nueva Esperanza (149 units) is complete and leased, Dolores (66 units) is under construction, and Willow Creek (117 units) is in predevelopment.

The county's Supportive Housing Services program, funded by Metro and launched in 2021, has helped more than 3,000 households exit homelessness or housing instability as of spring 2026, according to a county announcement on June 3. The demand remains steep. Over 1,700 households were waiting for a housing referral as of January 2026.

"Reaching this milestone reflects years of sustained, deliberate work … The result is thousands of families and individuals, our neighbors, now thriving in stable housing," Chair Kathryn Harrington said in the June 3 county announcement marking the program's milestone.

At the board's May 19 quarterly update, Harrington asked staff to include financials in future housing reports.

Mental health team gets five-year expansion

The board approved revenue agreements with Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood and King City to expand the county's Mental Health Response Team through June 30, 2031. The team pairs a clinician with a sworn law enforcement officer to respond to residents in crisis, and the new funding will add clinicians, according to the county agenda packet.

Health and Human Services Director Mjere Simantel presented the item. The Aug. 18 vote renews and expands funding the county first approved in July 2021.

Herman Road design moves forward

Commissioners awarded a design engineering contract to AKS Engineering & Forestry for the Herman Road Complete Street Project, which will improve the road between SW 124th Avenue and SW Cipole Road. The county lists the project among transportation improvements planned for 2026 and beyond. The contract dollar amount was not included in available agenda materials.

The board's five members are Chair Harrington, District 1 Commissioner Nafisa Fai, District 2 Commissioner Pam Treece, District 3 Commissioner Jason Snider and District 4 Commissioner Jerry Willey. Individual vote counts have not been posted; the consent agenda items were listed as approved.

The county has not posted the next regular board meeting date. Residents can attend in person at the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building, 155 N. First Ave., Hillsboro, or watch remotely via the county's meeting page.