Housing Challenges on the Oregon Coast Claire Hall 8-19-19

About Me: Portland native, coast resident since 1987 25 years in journalism Lincoln County Commissioner since 2005 Volunteer with local non-profits Active in the Housing Alliance Frequent testifier in Salem Member of the Housing Stability Council

Quick Plug: The Oregon Housing Plan

A Picture of Lincoln County High level of children in foster care (Almost 2x state average for preschoolers) Poverty rate for families with young children is 25 percent, 11 points higher than average More than 1,000 students identified as homeless under McKinney-Vento, 11 percent unaccompanied High rates of drug abuse, child abuse and domestic violence Highest alcohol and tobacco consumption levels in the state

What drives this? Many low-paying, seasonal jobs Industries where substance abuse is culturally accepted or tolerated Lack of a strong social safety net Changing demographics, isolation of some groups

What about housing? Median rent increase since 2010 is 25 percent, to $862 per month Less than state average, BUT our median income has actually declined

Limited Opportunities to Rent or Buy 23 percent of renters are severely rent burdened. Housing supply gap not only at 30 percent and 50 percent of MFI, but at 80 pct too! Oregon since 2000: 155,000 deficit in housing creation. Worse in rural areas…..access to financing and developer capacity big issues.

Unique Coastal Drivers Short term rentals Seasonally occupied homes Limited land mass available for development Protected forestlands, wetlands. Water frontage or view adds at least 30 percent to land price.

Solutions: Looking at a Spectrum 2007 plan, “At Home in Lincoln County” Existing oirganizations and initiatives strengthened, new ones launched

Land Trust Now Part of Proud Ground Two homes through Neighborhood stabilization fund, three more from Governor’s workforce housing pilot

LIFT is beginning to have an impact Fisterra Gardens Town Homes, Yachats (21 units) Surf View Village, Newport (110 units) County and cities have supported property tax breaks for these and older affordable developments

Permanent Support Housing 2007: Housing first funding, Lincoln County got more units than any county except Multnomah (18 units in two buildings) 2019: State $20 million PSH pilot

New culture of Collaboration

Kudos to grassroots, and to leaders The four housing bills governor brown signed last week: OHCS budget, end to single family zoning in larger cities, targeted help for DV survivors, requires regional housing needs analyses. This on top of end to no-cause evictions passed earlier.

Questions?