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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 2010)
J Street roots 3 ÜJÔŒ Feb. 5,2010 States, cities explore housing funding frameworks > STA FF REPO RTS 10,000 affordable units for the formerly T ^ u l l i n g together funding fora housing homeless, seniors and low-income development affordable for low- individuals and families. It has also provided J L income families has always meant down payment loans for first-time navigating a checkerboard of options, homebuyers and rental assistance for oftentimes involving up to 20 sources, each thousands of households struggle to keep with its own "set* of obligations and pace with rates. limitations. None of which , even in tandem, Seattle’s approach is not the only mean a project will pencil out to fruition. progressive way to address livability; others Until last year, there was no sustainable include establishing local trust funds and statewide funding channel for affordable issuing groundbreaking bonds. Here’s housing maintenance or development That rundown of what other states have pursued was when the Oregon legislature passed . to correct a nationwide imbalance between J the document-recording fee, which levieda economic breakdowns and hóùsing needs: ' small fee for filing certain documents toward a fund for low-income housing. I t is a : ■ Rhode Island: Looking down a 13,000 - sustained source, but far from the panacea affordable unit shortfall, the Rhode Island ofrevenue needed to ensure that all income legislature put the state’s first ever bond levels can afford a place to live. issue for housing on the November ballot. It Now there’s a new undercurrent running passed by the largest margin nationally for a through the affordable housing community,, housing bond, raising $50 million in seed civic leaders arid advocates, on how to tackle money to create 1,000 affordable housing the region’s housing crisis - a crisis that has homes over the next four years. one that has one in four Oregonians pay more than 50 percent of their income on ■ California: In 2004, voters passed rent, and studies concluding that an Proposition 63 to create the California estimated 20,000 of affordable units - Chronic Homeless Initiative and the Mental affordable for individuals and families below Health Services Act. The measure opened the poverty line - will be needed before the thè door for the Department of Mental end of this decade. The discussion centers Health to provide increased funding, on the potential for a housing levy that personnel, and other resources to support could bring in millions of dollars toward county mentaljiealth programs and monitor sustaining the region’s affordable housing progress toward statewide goals for infrastructure, and ensuring that low-income children, transition age youth, adults, older families can afford a safe and stable place to adults, and families. Funds for the Act are live, (The Portland metro area is peppered collected annually through a 1 percent with about 70 myriad taxing districts, none income tax increase on all individuals of which dedicate any significant funding for making over $1 million a year. The Act affordable housing.) , addresses a broad continuum of prevention, It’s not an uncommon approach from a :early'i^i^i^8hiv.w d^sej^(?§ needs and 'thé' ù‘^és?;Sry fnfrastrheture, technology, - natibh^^^ef^bectiye. 'Nearly ago,, voters launched a >egacy?„Oi:"' and training elements that will effectively supporting affordable housing, approving support this system and proposes up to $75 one bond and four levies to fund more than million a year for housing programs. ■ Illinois: The Illinois Rental Housing Support program is the nation’s largest state rental assistance program, providing rent subsidies for an estimated 4,000 “rent burdened” households making ends meet on extremely low incomes, The program’s funding, s provided by a $10 fee oh real estate document recordings, is distributed through Ldcal Administration Agencies that work directly with landlords to provide units for the' program and possible outreach to' tenants in need. ■ Vermont: The longest standing trust fund is Vermont’s Housing and Conservation Trust Fund. In 1987 the Vermont Legislature created a Housing and Conservation Trust Fund that makes loans and grants to municipalities, nonprofits, housing co-ops, and qualifying state agencies for permanent affordable housing and permanently protected open space and/or projects that combine die two. As of 1997, 4,523 units of permanently affordable rental and owner-occupied housing has been developed through the Fund. ■ New Jersey Special Needs Housing Trust Fund: In 2005 the New Jersey State Legislature passed the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund Act to create a housing trust fund from proceeds from motor vehicle surcharges securitization bonds. The fund helps create additional units of permanent supportive housing and community residences through new construction or • rehabilitation;, and helps support the long term viability of such housing and residential opportunities for individuals with special needs with priority givefi to Individuals with mental illness. ■ Chicago: The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund was created in 1989 by the Chicago City Council. It assists residents living in poverty, with incomes not exceeding 30 percent of area median income, by providing rent subsidies, supportive housing and upfront investments for Ibnger term affordability. The Trust Fund serves Chicago’s low-income working households, tire disabled, the elderly, and countless homeless individuals and families. ■ Ashland Ore.: The city of Ashland established its Housing Trust Fund in 2008 as a dedicated source of revenue to provide Ongoing funding for housing projects, or programs, that address the housing needs of Ashland residents. The fund’s primary purpose is encouraging the creation 6f housing for homeownership or rent at a cost that will enable low- and moderate- income families to afford quality housing while paying no more than 30 percent of gross household income on housing. ■ The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust: Thè Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust was created in 1993 by the Board of , County Commissioners to fund the Community Homeless Plan. The Trust’s annual budget is approximately $40 million, comprised of a local food and beverage proceeds from a l percent tax, as well as federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and state funding. Approximately $20 million per year comes through a competitive process through HUD; $12 million via the Food and Beverage tax, and the remainder through State funding and private sector ^ n t r itotions^The frlisf receives no general iùiiÙVÌUnaisn.óin Lliv Source: Various city and state sources, The Corporation fo r Supportive Housing Veterans Stand Down and job fair set for March 11 Veterans-and their families are welcome at the-Veterans!Stand Down & Job Fair, a free event with access to dozens of employers and agencies 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 8,at the Ambridge Event Center, near Portland’s Convention Center MAX stop. Attendees are urged to bring ~ their resumes. | In times of war, Stand Downs were the opportunity for combat units-to take time to rest and recover at secure base camp areas. The Stand Down today, directed at - homeless veterans, began in 1988 in San Diego as an opportunity for veterans to gather and access assistance. This year, ■ L et u s have it! there will be nearly 100 Stand Down events held across the country. Last year, the Portland Stand Down attracted more than 600 veterans. Portland’s Stand Down is organizedby Central City Concern in collaboration with Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Hire Oregon Vêts, Returning Veterans Project, ; Disabled American Veterans and Worksource Oregon. Call Central City Concern at 503-226-7387 or visit www. portlandstanddown.org for more event details. " Veterans Comprise an estimated 23 percent of the total honjeless population in We can take it! the United States according to the National Coalition for the .Homeless and experience disproportionately high unemployment rates. In a January 2009 Multnomah County “street count,” veterans accounted for 12 percent of the total counted homeless ' individuals. Returning Veterans Project ? estimates that there are more than 10,000 Oregon Veterans of the Iraq and ' Afghanistan conflicts. In May 2010' another 2,700 Oregon National Guard troops will - 'return from active service. The Woodcutter by Shannon Andrews Perpetual motion. Caused for reaction Gravity takes off Infinite dreams Endless boundaries Colliding courage Source: Central City Concern 7 V'v SiSg IH H it at Locally and independently owned. Rich p arth C la re ^ 5 p a 530 NW 23 r d A v e , S u ite # 1 1 0 PORTLAND, OR 97210 (503) 729-5261 facials body W raps ‘ BeautyTs^nature^fact. ” ~ Emily Dickenson Take our Readers Survey at www.streetroots.wordpress.com T he A rt of S kin C are P roducts G ift .CERTIFICATES' D eeply R ejuvenating S kin C are Open daily by appointment. Flexible hours to compliment your schedule. w w w .R ic h E a r t h O r g a n ic S pa . c o m J J -I a J Ì 4 J j i i 4 J 4 i j i i i 4
