Coverage

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 01-08-2020. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 12-02-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County.

Study: 4 in 10 working Lane County households struggle to pay for housing, other needs (KVAL)

More than 4 in 10 Oregon households still can't afford the basic costs of living despite working. That has a direct bearing on what individuals and families can afford for housing. The sobering numbers are found in data compiled by the United Way for its ALICE report, short for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The data sheds light on the plight of households earning just above the federal poverty level but still struggling to afford basic necessities. In Oregon, United Way finds 42 percent of households fall into that category.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 11-25-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County.

Lane County’s Section 8 housing application opens today (Register Guard)

The Section 8 Wait List for Homes for Good, Lane County’s low-income housing agency, opens Tuesday. While opening of the list is a hopeful sign, there are no guarantees — thousands of applicants won’t receive a voucher for months or years, if at all.

Affordable Housing In Downtown Eugene Breaks Ground (KLCC)

Homes for Good is developing a new affordable housing complex on the corner of 6th and Oak Street in Eugene. The Market District Commons will have commercial space on the ground floor and fifty units of affordable housing above. Fifteen of the units will be set aside for homeless veterans and people with disabilities.

Residents at Patrician Mobile Home Park react to approved rezoning (KVAL)

Monday night, Springfield City Council approved a rezoning of land currently occupied by the Patrician Mobile Home Park. It's left residents wondering what's next, especially with the owner saying that redevelopment will happen sometime in the near future. Joelle Sherman has lived at the Patrician Mobile Home Park for a year and had planned on staying. "I'm almost 80-years-old. I didn't plan to move again,” said Joelle Sherman, a resident at Patrician. But now she, and all 130 residents at the park are facing the reality that they will have to move sometime in the next several years.

(Archived) Homes for Good Name Change

The Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County is now Homes for Good. Watch a short video that explains why we've renamed the organization.

You can still count on us for the same essential services, including Section 8 housing vouchers, and low-income and affordable housing and programs.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 10-18-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County.

Eugene Apartment Complex Will Rent Exclusively To Chronically Homeless People (KLCC)

Next month, construction will begin on Lane County’s newest housing project to address chronic homelessness. The 51-unit complex, called The Commons on MLK, will go up across the street from Autzen Stadium in Eugene. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert walked the site and has this report. Right now, it’s a grassy tree-lined field—a popular location for tail-gaters on game days. By next winter, it will be home to formerly homeless people. Homes for Good Housing Agency will oversee the building project.

Health Care Companies Pledge $2.7m to Eugene Housing Project (KEZI)

Four health care organizations are stepping up to make an affordable housing complex a reality. Officials say the four companies have pledged nearly $2.7 million to Lane County's housing authority, Homes for Good, for their project, The Commons on MLK. The project aims to provide 51 studio apartments for the chronically homeless and medically fragile and have 24/7 on-site supportive services. The total cost of the project is $13 million, and it is planned to be built on the same property as the Lane County Behavioral Health Campus across from Autzen Stadium.

Healthcare organizations join with county, city to build homeless housing with 24-hour support (Register Guard)

Construction is expected to begin this fall on a 51-unit apartment complex near Autzen Stadium with 24-hour, in-house services for the homeless, and qualifying for housing will not require extensive screenings or sobriety. The Commons on MLK is a $13 million project by Homes For Good, Lane County’s low-income housing authority. Four Oregon healthcare organizations — Kaiser Permanente Northwest, PeaceHealth, PacificSource and Trillium Community Health Plan — gave funding toward the project, rounding out fundraising efforts.

Health Care Organizations to Help the Homeless (Eugene Weekly)

Housing First is seen by many advocates for the unhoused as a big step in getting the chronically homeless into long-term housing rather than emergency shelter. Four local health care organizations are donating almost $2.7 million to help fund a 51-unit Housing First development for individuals struggling with homelessness in Eugene. The development, called The Commons on MLK, is a Housing First development –– a model designed to provide 24/7 care and resources to those who experience chronic homelessness.

Open Position on the Homes for Good Board of Commissioners

We are looking for a Program Participant Representative member of the Homes for Good Board of Commissioners. The position would involve engaging with the local community, advocating for affordable housing, mentoring others, as well as playing an active role in the Homes for Good's board deliberations. The position requires a lot of involvement and working with Homes for Good administrative staff. Please click the link below for more info.

Homes for Good Foundation Awards Two Scholarships

In 2013 Homes for Good Housing Agency established its nonprofit branch known as Homes for Good Foundation. The foundation focuses on growing education opportunities for low-income youth in Lane County. Homes for Good Foundation aims to provide stability and growth for students by offering a $1,000 scholarship annually for two years.

Homes for Good and Obie Companies team up on new building

Homes for Good and Obie Companies have signed an agreement for Obie to purchase the ground floor and adjacent parking lot of the housing agency’s 50-unit affordable housing project currently under construction at 6th Avenue and Oak Street. The $1.66 million deal infuses funding into the Homes for Good project, dubbed the Market District Commons. Under the agreement, ownership and responsibility for the 6,871-square-foot ground-floor commercial space and 37-space parking lot has transferred to Obie, owner of the 5th Street Public Market.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 8-21-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County.

Affordable Housing in Downtown Eugene Breaks Ground (KLCC)

The Market District Commons will have commercial space on the ground floor and fifty units of affordable housing above. Fifteen of the units will be set aside for homeless veterans and people with disabilities. Jacob Fox, executive director of the Homes for Good Housing Agency, says this downtown location is ideal. “Those affordable housing units will serve low-wage workers downtown who want to live in close proximity to their employment,” says Fox.

Celebrate National Night Out with Homes for Good

For the second year in a row Homes for Good will be celebrating National Night Out, along with millions of people from thousands of communities across the country. National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes awareness, community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our communities safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out will be held at Alton Baker Park August 6th from 4:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. There will be activities for all ages, raffle prizes, a BBQ and much more! This celebration is open to Homes for Good residents, families and community partners.

Market District Commons Groundbreaking Ceremony

Homes for Good is excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for the Market District Commons. This project will expand affordable housing opportunities to the Downtown Core in Eugene. Executive Director, Jacob Fox said, "Homes for Good has been breaking ground to improve low-income housing in Lane County for 70 years, and we are ecstatic to continue to enhance our community."

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 7-16-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 6-10-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County.

Lane County, Eugene take first steps to act on roadmap to reduce homelessness (Register Guard)

Eugene and Lane County leaders are taking some initial steps to pay for an aggressive and expensive roadmap to bring all homeless people living on the streets indoors. The moves come two weeks after city councilors and county commissioners signed off on a timeline to implement the roadmap, a series of recommendations from a consultant.

Homes for Good 2019 Scholarship Application (5-13-19)

Homes for Good Foundation 2019 Scholarship Application is now open through July 15th 2019. Homes for Good Foundation, once known as HousingPlus, is offering residents of qualifying housing programs the opportunity to apply for two annual scholarships. The scholarship will provide $1,000 per year for two years to two qualifying candidates! For more information, details on eligibility please review the application documents.

New Board Meeting Location (as of 5-10-19)

We are changing the location of our May 22nd Board Meeting. The new location will be the Springfield Utility Board Conference Room -- 223 A st. Springfield OR, 97477. The meeting will keep its original time: 1:30 - 3:00 Pm. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at executivedirector@homesforgood.org

Lane County Seeks Major HUD Grant To End Youth Homelessness (KLCC)

Organizations working to end youth homelessness in Lane County face increased need and limited resources. The county is applying for a grant through the Department of Housing and Urban Development which could amount to multi-millions to address the issue. HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grant will fund 25 communities nationwide. Awards will be between $1 million and $15 million. Lane County applied for the funding last year and scored high but not high enough.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 03-27-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County.

Fifth Street Public Market expansion breaks ground (Register Guard)

Local developers joined with elected officials Thursday to break ground on the expansion of the Fifth Street Public Market, a project six years in the making that they hailed as representing the start of a new era for Eugene’s downtown. Obie Companies, the market’s owner and project developer, said the $75 million expansion on a half-block site at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Pearl Street will be the largest private commercial development ever in downtown Eugene. The project received ample public assistance.

It's (Jack)hammer Time... Groundbreaking Happens For 5th Street Market Expansion (KLCC)

Dozens gathered in downtown Eugene today for a groundbreaking ceremony. It kicked off the 5th Street Public Market expansion…the largest private commercial development in the city’s history. Standing behind a golden jackhammer, Obie Companies Vice President Casey Barrett talked up the $75 million expansion.

Former City Hall block to reopen as temporary parking lot (Register Guard)

The former Eugene City Hall lot, recently purchased by Lane County as the site for the proposed county courthouse, is slated to reopen this spring as a temporary parking lot. County officials are negotiating with a vendor to install a temporary parking surface on the lot, spokeswoman Devon Ashbridge said. The lot has been empty and fenced since crews razed the old City Hall four years ago.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

The Homes for Good Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 02-20-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County

Lane County Helps Fund Housing Projects with $2 Million (KLCC)

Several Lane County housing providers received a total of $2 million in grant money from the Lane County Board of Commissioners. The funds will go toward projects meant to reduce homelessness through permanent supportive housing. The Legion Cottages Project obtained $250,000 to help develop housing for homeless veterans in Cottage Grove. Steve Ochs, with Homes for Good, says he’s thrilled to start.

$2 Million in homeless housing grants awarded (Register Guard)

Lane County has awarded $2 million in one-time government-funded grants to five projects that will result in 90 permanent housing units for a variety of populations susceptible to homelessness, the county announced in a statement Tuesday. Advocates and homelessness support agencies across the country have embraced the supportive housing model in recent years as an effective way to address homelessness and reduce the strain on public health and law enforcement agencies. But developers don’t often build such projects without grants or tax credits, and they require government or nonprofit partnerships to provide support services.

Let’s support, and hold accountable, ex-inmate housing (Register Guard)

Homelessness and crime often seem inextricably connected. A local initiative seeks to break that chain. “The Way Home” is an innovative, worthwhile endeavor — one that ultimately could reduce crime, improve lives and save taxpayer dollars. Without stable housing, people with criminal records often get caught in a revolving door between prison and homelessness. Three Eugene-area agencies are collaborating to provide ongoing housing and other services for about 125 ex-inmates so they can overcome their criminal pasts. The project is grounded in reality: Lack of housing is a societal barrier for anyone, but especially for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking positive pathways in society.

Cottage Village project now 80 percent funded (Cottage Grove Sentinel)

The houses may be tiny but the dream never was and on Tuesday, Jan. 15, the Lane County Commission helped Cottage Village Coalition (CVC) make a giant leap in seeing that dream be-come a reality. “Our group has been working long and hard to achieve this vision. We couldn’t be more excited by this affirmation of our work by our county leaders,” said CVC President Bruce Kelsh about the decision by the commission to award the group $500,000 through a Housing Improvement Plan grant. The award was part of a larger $2 million grant award for Lane County housing projects.

Government Shutdown Update - 01/28/2019

The historic government shutdown ended Friday night after Congressional leaders and the White House came to a deal to pass a short-term spending bill that expires on Friday, February 15. The three-week continuing resolution was quickly approved by voice vote in both the Senate and the House. The President signed it shortly after it was cleared by Congress. The measure provides back pay to federal workers and resources for state governments that may have covered expenses otherwise covered by the federal government. It also extends the Violence Against Women Act. The continuing resolution should provide HUD funding for March and April if the federal government shuts down again in three weeks. While reopening the government is a positive step, the political situation in Washington is still contentious and it is possible another shutdown will happen at the end of the current CR. When any of these information change we will communicate promptly.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

Homes for Good February Open Rental Listing has been uploaded as of 01-28-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County

Notice on the Current Government Shutdown

Please note that our offices remain open keeping their regular schedule during the government shutdown.The federal government shutdown started in late December 2018 and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is one of the affected agencies. At this time the government shut down has not impacted Homes for Good federal housing programs, if this situation changes we will communicate promptly issuing statements and information to the community about the impact of the shutdown.

Public Housing Authorities Seek Closer Ties To Health Insurers (Forbes)

The nation’s public housing authorities are seeking closer links to health insurers and medical care providers to address social determinants of health. The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) says half of the nation’s public housing authorities are “pursuing health investments in housing.” Yet only 13% of large public housing authorities have “dedicated housing-health staff members,” research from the council and its partner, the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation, shows.

New housing project in development to help mental health and homelessness (KMTR)

The county is working on another housing project, this one addressing mental health and homelessness. Lane County transferred land along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Homes for Good, an affordable housing agency. They will be developing a 51-unit permanent supportive housing project. The county is asking Homes for Good to oversee the construction.

How rising rents contribute to homelessness (Vox)

Cities where a lot of people spend more than one-third of their income on rent are more likely to experience homelessness crises, according to a new report by a team of researchers from the University of New Hampshire, Boston University, and the University of Pennsylvania. The report, which was released on December 11 and was sponsored by the real estate website Zillow, analyzed 386 real estate markets across the country and found that increases in rent prices in less affordable areas make the homelessness rate rise faster.

Could Oregon Become the First State to Ban Single-Family Zoning? (Willamette Weekly)

Legislation being drafted in Oregon could become the nation's most dramatic effort to address the housing shortages and economic and racial segregation caused by zoning restrictions. WW has learned that Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) is drafting a proposal that would require cities larger than 10,000 people to allow up to four homes to be built on land currently zoned exclusively for single-family housing.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

Homes for Good January Open Rental Listing has been updated as of 01-07-2019. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County

Rental market adds further strain to local Section 8 program (Register Guard)

Four-year-old legal protections aren’t sheltering low-income residents who obtain Section 8 rent subsidies from the headwinds of a difficult housing market. Representatives of Homes for Good, Lane County’s public housing authority that manages the program, say slightly fewer voucher holders have been able to find a place by the end of the 120-day deadline due to rising rents and low vacancy rates. In addition, the total money the program receives for vouchers isn’t stretching as far.

Local Project Offers A Housing Solution For The Formerly Incarcerated (KLCC)

A Lane County partnership has developed a new framework for reducing recidivism. If all goes well, that plan could become a national model. In 2016 the federal government awarded Sponsors, Homes for Good and Lane County Parole and Probation $1.3 million to design a project that addresses homeless people with criminal pasts. Together they came up with what’s called “The Way Home.” It’s a plan that will create housing for over a hundred people.

Project underway in Lane County to keep ex-criminals housed, crime-free (Register Guard)

Finding and securing affordable housing is a problem for prospective renters in communities nationwide, including Eugene. It’s even more difficult for people with criminal records. “Those are the folks that are among the most marginalized in our community,” said Jacob Fox, executive director of Homes for Good, which serves as Lane County’s low-income housing agency. Housing provides stability, and with that in mind, Homes for Good is partnering with Sponsors, Inc. — a Eugene-based nonprofit that provides housing and other re-entry services to people leaving prison — and Lane County Parole and Probation on a project that aims to keep ex-criminals housed and crime-free.

Sponsors Inc. Plans for New Tiny Home Project (Eugene Weekly)

Fifty percent of people who are released back into Lane County from the Lane County Jail or the state prison are homeless when they re-enter society, Paul Solomon, executive director of Sponsors Inc., says. “Housing is one of the fundamental elements in a person’s success re-entering the community post-incarceration,” Solomon tells Eugene Weekly. Sponsors is hoping to make that transition easier with a 10-unit tiny house project next spring.

New housing project in development to help mental health and homelessness (KMTR)

The county is working on another housing project, this one addressing mental health and homelessness. Lane County transferred land along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Homes for Good, an affordable housing agency. They will be developing a 51-unit permanent supportive housing project. The county is asking Homes for Good to oversee the construction.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

Homes for Good December Open Rental Listing is avaiable as of 11-30-2018. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County

Neighbors working to provide every child with a good education (Register Guard)

The Register-Guard has published articles and letters about the need for low-cost housing. But, creating more low-cost housing will not solve the problem. There will always be people who could benefit in other ways if they could lower their housing costs. More important than lowering housing costs is helping people get better jobs and earn higher incomes. Education is central to these goals, and Lane County should be proud of residents’ efforts to foster educational success.

Measure 102 seeks another funding option for affordable housing (Register Guard)

Backers of Measure 102 say it would provide cities with another tool to help ease the statewide crunch on affordable housing. The measure on the Nov. 6 ballot would remove — only for affordable housing projects — the restriction in the Oregon Constitution barring local governments from using their bonding authority to benefit a private company. With the measure’s passage, the city of Eugene, for example, could seek voter approval of a bond to finance construction of affordable housing in partnership with a private developer.

Eugene Council grants tax break for Fifth Street project (Register Guard)

Eugene city leaders have granted a 10-year property tax waiver to one of the new buildings tied to the proposed $75 million expansion of the Fifth Street Public Market. Local developer Obie Companies, led by former Eugene mayor Brian Obie, requested the waiver for Gordon Lofts, a seven-story building with 127 apartments and 10,000 square-feet of ground floor commercial space. The building will be sited on land leased from Lane County near the corner of Sixth Avenue and Pearl Street.

Bryant: 102 offers a housing tool we need right now (Register Guard)

The Register-Guard’s editorial on Oct. 5 recommending a “no” vote on Measure 102 is a classic example of making the perfect into the enemy of the good. Make no mistake, Measure 102 is a very good measure that should be approved by voters.

Five-story apartment building planned near Eugene's Alton Baker Park (Register Guard)

A Portland developer wants to build a five-story, 100-unit apartment complex near the entrance to Alton Baker Park. Mark Madden plans to demolish the single-level office building on Day Island Road that’s been occupied for years by Lane County’s public housing authority, Homes for Good. The agency’s lease on the building runs until January 2020. Madden, who as owner of Portland-based WDC Properties has developed numerous apartment buildings in the metro area, says he plans to move forward on the roughly $16.5 million project as soon as Homes for Good moves out.

Apartments proposed near Alton Baker park as Homes for Good moves (KEZI)

According to documents filed with the city of Eugene, a Portland-based developer plans to build the apartment complex, which will have on-site parking.

Merkley, Wyden announce millions of dollars in affordable housing support in Oregon

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced more than $2.7 million for new Section 811 Housing Choice Vouchers that will assist people with disabilities in accessing affordable housing and an array of supportive services.

Affordable housing complex planned for Bethel area (KEZI)

Jacob Fox, the Executive Director for Homes for Good, said they hope to build a 40 to 60 unit complex on a piece of land currently owned by the Korean Presbyterian Church at 1600 Taney Street. Fox said they are working with the city of Eugene to partition the land so the church can sell it to them.

Governor Kate Brown speaks on Importance of affordable housing During Eugene visit (KLCC)

Governor Kate Brown stopped in Eugene today to speak on the importance of affordable housing in Oregon. Governor Brown took a tour and spoke with residents at Bascom Village, a Eugene affordable housing complex completed in 2016. Her visit comes after an announcement from Oregon Housing and Community Services that 796 affordable homes will receive funding for development this year. These are places designed for veterans, those making half of the area’s median income and those who are developmentally disabled.

State aids affordable housing projects in Eugene (KEZI)

Oregon Governor Kate Brown toured an affordable housing complex Friday after state leaders announced funding for new housing projects. Brown toured Bascom Village II in North Eugene and met with residents and community leaders. Tenants at Bascom Village make 50 percent less than the median area income. Oregon Housing and Community Services recently awarded funding to 13 housing projects, two in Eugene.

Gov. Brown touts housing investments during Eugene visit (Register Guard)

Gov. Kate Brown visited a subsidized housing complex in north Eugene on Friday to showcase her administration’s ongoing efforts to ease the statewide crunch on affordable housing Brown, who is facing re-election in November, spent an hour at Bascom Village II, touring the 48-unit development that opened in 2016 and talking privately with its tenants.

Homes for Good Open Rental Listing

Homes for Good September Open Rental Listing is avaiable as of 10-30-2018. Homes for Good creates the Open Rental Listing on a monthly basis as a resource to community members searching for housing options in Lane County

Homes for Good will host their first annual National Night Out on August 7th

Homes for Good will host their first annual National Night Out celebration on August 7th from 4-7pm in partnership with our residents, participants, staff and community partners. This is a FREE event and will be held in the picnic shelters at Alton Baker Park and will include food, games, music, and information from community agencies such as Eugene Police, NEDCO, Food for Lane County, PeaceHealth Rides, Eugene Ems, Toolbox Project and more! All Homes for Good residents and participants are invited to join for a fun evening to celebrate community connections!

Lane County approves land transfer for Housing First project (Register Guard)

A first-of-its-kind project in Lane County to build a 50-unit Housing First apartment building to lift chronically homeless people with severe mental illness or other disabilities from despair to stability took another step forward Tuesday. County commissioners authorized transferring a parcel of land next to the county’s behavioral health building near Autzen Stadium for $1 to Homes for Good for the proposed building.

Lane County Land Transfer Moves Housing First Project Ahead (KLCC)

Lane County Commissioners voted Tuesday to provide land for a Housing First project in Eugene. It will be housing for people who are chronically homeless.The Housing First model has been successful in other cities, including Portland and Seattle. Jacob Fox is with Homes for Good, the non-profit that’s spearheading the project.

Lane County public housing agency buys Glenwood property for apartment project (Register Guard)

Homes for Good, Lane County’s low-income housing agency, has purchased a Glenwood property it has long eyed for a large apartment complex. Homes for Good has billed the project in planning documents as Glenwood Place, “the first major residential development in Glenwood,” with preliminary plans calling for 147 apartments split among three four-story buildings, each with 49 units.

Brian Obie unveils his large downtown Eugene development plan (Register-Guard)

On Friday, Obie will give the clearest picture yet of his $60 million concept to expand his upscale shopping and hotel complex. The Fifth Street Public Market developer will show off detailed plans for his large mixed-use development for the first time, bringing one of Eugene’s largest planned but unrealized downtown projects into public view. Obie hopes to break ground by the end of the year on a three-building development on a pair of Lane County-owned parking lots along East Sixth Avenue, between Pearl and Willamette streets. The lots are immediately west of Obie’s Fifth Street Public Market.

A transformative project (Register-Guard)

On Friday Obie unveiled plans for the three-part development along 6th Avenue, across Pearl Street from Obie’s 5th Street Public Market and the Inn at the 5th hotel. The mixed-use project would be an extension of the existing Obie properties, both architecturally and in terms of its purposes. Included would be a 30,000-square-foot retail and office building, a 113-unit apartment building and a second hotel. All three would be connected, notably by a glass-covered passageway between the retail-office center and the apartment building.

'I think this is the best thing we can do for this community' (KVAL)

Obie Companies is partnering with the group Homes for Good to support the construction of a new affordable housing project right across the street from the new Gordon Hotel. "I can tell you, without hesitation, this has been the most positive, dynamic, public-private partnership," said Jacob Fox with Homes for Good. The project is planned for a parking lot across the street from the existing market. Lane County leased the land to Obie Companies for 99 years. The chair of the Lane County board of commissioners, Jay Bozievich, shared a story about visiting Eugene in 1992, discovering the 5th Street Market - and the influence that had on his decision to move across the country to live here.

In rural Oregon, trips to food banks are the new normal (Street Roots News)

Food pantries are often the easiest way to fill monthly budget gaps caused by less elastic costs for housing, medical needs and transportation. And the Oregon Food Bank, a statewide network of 21 regional food banks that serve 468 pantries like Junction City’s – plus another 179 meal sites and 596 supplemental programs and partners – is seeing the pressures of housing costs spill into their work. Homes For Good, the county’s housing authority and the state’s second largest, opened up a Section 8 wait-list last year. Nearly 5,000 people signed up in two weeks. Spokesperson Ela Kubok said that’s twice the number from an opening five years ago. Between its public housing and Section 8 wait lists, there are 6,040 applicants waiting for Homes For Good housing assistance, representing 12,195 people. The agency’s executive director, Jacob Fox, said the area’s housing crisis hasn’t been quite as acute as in Multnomah County but is seeing “very aggressive” rent increases that are rapidly bringing it to that level.

HACSA becomes Homes for Good

The Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County (HACSA) has helped connect people with “no and low” incomes to homes for nearly 70 years, providing Section 8 vouchers, building and managing affordable housing, and connecting people with housing services - yet many people couldn’t remember our name.

NEDCO and Homes for Good collaboration for first-time homebuyers

We are so excited to highlight this special collaboration aimed at first-time homebuyers in the Eugene/Springfield area. The partnership between Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) and Homes for Good (formerly HACSA) goes way back, but this year the two organizations are working together to sell 10 of Homes for Good’s scattered site properties with a preference for first-time homebuyers as well as people with low incomes and past program participants. Congratulations to our former Family Self-Sufficiency participant Niyah who also took advantage of NEDCO's homeownership programs.

The affordable housing solution (Register-Guard)

The homelessness crisis can be understood as a housing crisis: If enough housing of the right types were available at affordable prices, people wouldn’t be living in shelters or on the streets. In that regard, the Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County is an 800-pound gorilla, with a budget and a capacity that dwarfs those of all other public or private organizations that work on the issues of homelessness and housing.

HACSA recognized by Lane County Public Health (Register-Guard)

Five Lane County employers have been recognized by Lane County Public Health as Mind Your Mind @ Work champions. The employers were awarded $1,000 each to support employees’ mental health, participate in Mind Your Mind Month and to recognize creative solutions that sustain workplace mental wellness. Recipients are Eugene Family YMCA, Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County (HACSA), Oregon Community Programs, South Lane Mental Health and United Way of Lane County. Direction Service, Harmony Event Medicine, Kairos and Relief Nursery received honorable mentions.

Half Of Springfield Residents Struggle To Pay For Housing And Basic Needs (KLCC)

In Springfield faith and service organizations continue to help homeless folks find shelter and get in to housing. They also help low income people pay rent. There’s little to no emergency shelter available in the city, and thousands of names are on the wait list for subsidized housing.

No Place Like Home: 'Incomes are going up slowly, but rent is going up incredibly fast' (KMTR)

“Incomes are going up slowly, but rent is going up incredibly fast. So what that's doing is just creating a burden and lack of affordable housing in our community,” said Jacob Fox, executive director of the Housing and Community Services Agency, known as HACSA.

'The idea is to provide the housing first': Lane County embraces Operation 600 (KVAL)

Drug addiction. Chronic unemployment. Mental health issues. The challenges facing people trying to get off the streets and end the cycle of homelessness are many. But Lane County Commissioners have given the green light on a new effort to get at those problems: Operation 600.

Panel proposes transitional housing (Register-Guard)

Following an initiative last year to find shelter for 365 homeless Lane County veterans, a community panel working to cut homelessness has set a new, more ambitious goal: Build specially designed homes for 600 chronically homeless individuals in the next five years.

Commissioners approve plans to build apartments near 5th Street Public Market (KMTR)

Another major development project in Downtown Eugene was set in motion on Tuesday. This one is three years in the making. The project would develop the county-owned land next to the 5th Street Public Market on 6th Street between Pearl and Oak. The two empty lots are currently being used as parking lots.

County OKs plan to expand market (Register-Guard)

The Lane County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a development plan to expand the Fifth Street Public Market in downtown Eugene with a complex of restaurants, shops and apartments.

New Affordable Housing Units Open In North Eugene (KLCC)

The second phase of an affordable housing project in North Eugene is done. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, Bascom Village’s grand opening for 48 units was held today.

Vets housing effort eclipses goal

Army veteran Ray Peterson said he was homeless for 27 years before his weight dropped below 90 pounds and he nearly died on the streets of Eugene in late November.

The Road to Reentry (Eugene Weekly)

In 2012, Roger Fields was staring homelessness in the face. Fields was three weeks away from being released from the Oregon State Correctional Institution, where he had served 22 months of a 31-month stretch stemming from convictions for car theft, drug possession and a parole violation.

Programs help homeless vets find, keep housing (Register-Guard)

Through the VASH program, homeless veterans are provided vouchers administered through HACSA. They serve as a special class of Section 8 voucher. Since the passage of the Housing Choice Act of 2013, discrimination against agency- or government-funded rent subsidies has been outlawed.

Housing project advances

A 54-unit apartment plan for ex-criminals is slowly moving forward in west Eugene. Officials with Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County and the nonprofit Sponsors Inc. plan to apply for building permits in January, according to recent documents filed with Eugene’s Planning and Development Department.

Work begins on 2nd phase of Bascom Village Project (KVAL)

The second phase of a housing project named in honor of a former Eugene mayor will house dozens families once complete. Officials broke ground for Phase 2 of the Bascom Village Project, named for former Mayor Ruth Bascom. The development is at the intersection of Parkview Drive and Country Farm Road.

Bascom Village Affordable Housing Begins Phase Two (KLCC)

Officials broke ground on a new affordable housing complex in north Eugene today (Monday). Phase two of Bascom Village will be sure to fill up quickly.

Housing on appeal (Register-Guard)

Despite a continuing legal battle over how a 54-unit housing complex for former convicts was constructed in west Eugene, the developers say they plan to host a grand opening this spring and begin renting out the apartments.

Complex for ex-cons nearly finished (Register-Guard)

The developers of a 54-unit apartment complex in west Eugene for former convicts say they’ll finish the building by the end of March or early April, following a key vote in their favor by the Eugene Planning Commission last week.

Affordable Apartment Community For Ex-Cons Opens In Eugene (KLCC)

A new affordable housing community had its grand opening in Lane County, Monday. The Oaks at 14th will provide housing to an especially underserved population: people with criminal histories who have served their time and want to rejoin society.

Lane County seeking funds for $11.7 million housing complex near Autzen Stadium for homeless people (Register-Guard)

Lane County officials hope to break ground next summer on a 50-unit apartment building near Autzen Stadium to house and counsel homeless people. The $11.7 million studio-apartment four-story project would be the first of its kind in Lane County in providing centralized shelter and -extensive support for its tenants, said Steve Manela, the county’s human services manager.

Lane County housing agency buys former Eugene Public Library building (Register-Guard)

Lane County’s low-income housing agency has bought a prominent piece of downtown Eugene real estate. Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County has bought the former downtown Eugene Public Library building on West 13th Avenue and Olive Street, according to a deed filed with the Lane County Clerk’s Office.

Downtown Eugene housing and retail project pitched by ex-mayor Brian Obie delayed (Register-Guard)

The multi-component undertaking — one portion to be developed by Eugene businessman Brian Obie and the other by Lane County government’s Housing and Community Services Agency — was set for a groundbreaking late this year or early next.

Fifth Street Public Market’s $50M expansion will test limits of Eugene’s controversial property tax waivers (Register-Guard)

The former Eugene mayor wants to turn two Lane County-owned parking lots into a $50 million mixed-use building with about 130 apartments rising over boutique shops and restaurants. Obie calls it a natural extension of his Fifth Street Public Market just to the east.

Priced out of housing (Register-Guard)

Saying that people in Lane County face homelessness because there’s a shortage of affordable housing is akin to saying people are hungry because they don’t have food — it’s blazingly obvious. Yet sometimes this basic equation gets lost.

Lane County commissioners approve employee contract that ended 500-worker strike last week (Register-Guard)

Commissioners voted 4-0 in a pair of votes Tuesday to implement contract terms the sides agreed to Oct. 24. Commissioner Pat Farr, whose son is an AFSCME-¬represented county employee, abstained from voting. The employees went on strike Oct. 18, picketing outside county government buildings after months of negotiations failed to yield an agreement on terms for a new three-year contract.

Across Eugene, Demand Still Strong For Affordable Housing (KLCC)

Jacob fox is executive director for homes for good – formerly housing and community services agency of Lane County (HACSA). He says last year when they opened up their waiting list for a 10-day period, nearly 5,000 people signed up. That’s more than twice the number from almost five years ago.