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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2019)
Wednesday, December 25, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 7 Sisters citizens explore affordable housing issues By Sue Stafford Correspondent The question of housing affordability looms large in Sisters and across the Pacific Northwest. Last week, 28 people explored the topic in Citizens4Community9s December Let9s Talk session. City Manager Cory Misley provided an overview for the participants on the affordable housing picture in Sisters, including data on housing in Deschutes County from the Oregon Housing Alliance. There is a serious short- age of affordable housing in Deschutes County. For every 100 families with extremely low incomes, there are only 13 affordable units avail- able. To meet the need, 3,525 units are needed countywide. One out of four of all renters are paying more than 50 per- cent of their income in rent. Three out of four renters with extremely low incomes are paying more than 50 percent of their income in rent. Countywide, a one-bed- room apartment requires a yearly wage of $29,320. A household must earn at least $34,289 to afford a two-bed- room apartment at fair market rent. The mean renter wage is $13.06 an hour. In order to rent a two-bedroom apartment they would need to work 64 hours a week. Home ownership is out of reach for many. The aver- age home sale price in 2017 was $437,107 up 8.2 percent from 2016. The average home price an individual can afford includes $163,526 for a con- struction laborer and $298,991 for a teacher. A person earning the area median income for Deschutes County ($59,152) could afford a $288,673 home. Misley explained the impact of Oregon land-use laws that were instituted to avoid urban sprawl into agri- cultural lands. The tension now exists between the goal of preserving rural land ver- sus the increasing demand for buildable land all over the western U.S. He described the role of the City Comprehensive Plan, which contains 12 goals for the City which was last updated in 2005. Comp Plans are required by the state. In 2005, Sisters citizens voted to annex lands in the Urban Growth Boundary to be brought into the city, and it is those lands that are currently being developed. The citizens in Sisters are required to vote any time annexing of land into the city for development is proposed. In 2010, a Housing Plan was created which included how the City could play a part in affordable housing. A Housing Policy Advisory Board was also established to advise the City Council and Planning Commission on housing issues. Planning documents are currently being reviewed for clarity, rele- vance, and needed changes. When the Transient Room Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben General, Cosmetic, Implant and Family Dentistry ~ Your Dentist in Sisters Since 1993 ~ We are here to help you smile with confi dence! 541-549-0109 | 304 W. Adams Ave. | Sisters Protect Your Most Valuable Asset Tax (TRT), which is charged on hotel/motel/short-term rental units, was increased by 0.9 percent, a percent- age of that 0.9 percent was earmarked for an affordable housing fund. It amounted to about $40,000 last year. The City is offering an afford- able housing grant program in 2021 to assist builders who want to build affordable hous- ing in Sisters. The grant pro- posals are due next spring and will be awarded in Fiscal Year 2021. In small-group discussions last week, participants shared their perspectives on afford- able housing, followed by a large-group summarizing of perspectives discussed. The object of the exercise was to develop and practice nonjudg- mental listening skills and civil conversation, not to find solutions to the problem of affordable housing. Some of the perspectives reported out included: " The lack of affordable housing in Sisters is an issue that needs to be addressed. " The lack of affordable housing impacts all ages and stages. " The cost of living in Sisters is an issue for many people. " Everyone deserves shelter/housing. " There are often a number of underlying issues surround- ing the unaffordability of housing, including healthcare issues and expenses, student debt, mental-health issues, transportation expenses, and more. " Everyone agreed that terms need clear definitions for affordable housing, low- income housing, and work- force housing. " How do we know when enough affordable housing has been built? " Everyone needs a home. Not everyone needs a house. " People want growth to be a thoughtful process, provid- ing for a mix of housing and not concentrating affordable housing all in one place. " Increase density within the city, don9t expand out. " City-owned housing. " The problem is bigger than just shelter. " Why are third-party investors who aren9t part of the community involved in affordable housing? What does that say about our culture? " What makes a healthy community? Citizens4Community is looking for more people to serve as group facilitators and skill builders for their activities. If interested, visit citizens4community.com and share your name, email, and message. Wishing you a safe & happy Tasty THURSDAY Thurs., Dec., 26, 5 to 7 p.m. LIVE MUSIC Sat., Dec. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Derek Michael Marc CLOSED NEW YEAR’S EVE AND DAY! 3 W 391 W. . C Casca Ca Cascade ascad scade de d eA Ave. Ave ve | 54 541 541-549-2675 4 1 1-549- 5 49 54 49-267 4 9 267 2675 6 5 corkcellarswinebistro.com With a grateful heart we wish you God Jul. HOLIDAY SEASON Designate a driver! DAVIS TIRE 541-549-1026 Serving Sisters Since 1962 188 W. Sisters Park Dr. In Sisters Industrial Park across from SnoCap Mini Storage We want to thank Sisters for supporting Sisters Feed and other local businesses this year! 102 E. Main Ave. | 541-549-4151 541-588-0311 201 E. Sun 541-588-0311 Ranch Dr., 201 E. Sun Ranch Dr., Mon-Sat 7 Mon-Sat a.m. to 4 p.m. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! GOOD BREAD…GOOD MEAT… GOOD GOSH, LET’S EAT! • Re-Roof & New Construction • Ice Dam & Roof Snow Removal • Rain Gutters • 10-Year Workmanship Guarantee 541-526-5143 ccb#203769 | Family Owned & Operated for 19 Years Bone-in or boneless PRIME RIB and fresh bone-in half HAM, smoked in-house. Limited quantity available i in store. Reserve early, please. Meat, poultry, game, Alaskan seafood • Smoked salmon, cheeses & jerky Seasonings & sauces • Sandwiches & beer, wine, cider Gift cards, baskets & platters, too! 541-719-1186 110 S. SPRUCE ST.| OPEN 9AM-6PM EVERY DAY 5 MEATS • CHEESES • EATERY • DRINKERY