County Priority
Housing Need Identified
Housing diversity and affordability is named one of Hood River County's five main priorities for the next 5 years.
ODELL UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY PLAN
Hood River County has a significant need for housing that is affordable for people who live and work here. It is such a need that the Hood River County Board of Commissioners identified “housing diversity and affordability” as one of five main priorities for the County over the next 5 years. One of the action items identified under this goal includes supporting urbanization efforts within the community of Odell, with the eventual purpose of having Odell become an official urban unincorporated community.
As part of a two-phased project, the County is proposing to formally establish Odell as a “Urban Unincorporated Community” in compliance with Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 660-022-0010(9). In completing this project, Hood River County will also satisfy Task 1 of its state mandated Periodic Review Work Program, which has remained outstanding since 2004.
Phase 1
Outreach & Analysis Completed
County staff completed public outreach, housing needs analysis facility readiness review, diverse housing policy review, and potential boundary scenarios.
Action Item
Odell Urbanization Goal
The County supports urbanization efforts in Odell with the goal of becoming an official Urban Unincorporated Community.
May 2025
Board Accepts Phase 1 Report
The Hood River Board of Commissioners accepted the Odell Housing and Public Facilities Analysis prepared by ECOnorthwest under a DLCD Housing Planning Assistance Grant.
FINAL ODELL HOUSING & PUBLIC FACILITIES ANALYSIS
Option Area A Option Area B
Phase 2
Second DLCD Grant Awarded
A second DLCD Housing Planning Assistance Grant was received to begin Phase 2 and develop a community plan for future growth.
Plan Development
Community Plan & Boundary Findings
County staff will continue targeted outreach, evaluate one of the two boundary scenarios and shape a long-term vision for equitable housing growth.
Final Step
Code Changes & Plan
The County will prepare zoning code and comprehensive plan changes and adopt a final Urban Unincorporated Community for Odell