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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 2020)
PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, AUGUST 21, 2020 WINDOWS, CABINETS, APPL I ANCES, LUMBER, PLYWOOD, YES WE DELIVER! DOORS, FENCING, SIDING, FLOORING, INSULATION, & MUCH, MUCH MORE! B M B C BUILDING MATERIALS BARGAIN CENTER, INC. 775 FRONT STREET NE - SALEM - CALL US AT 503-363-9070 UNEMPLOY: ‘It would take $6.3 million to meet 30% of the need’ (Continued from Page A1) out and asked if we needed groceries or anything at all,” she said. She was also moved through the rigamarole of unemployment claims relatively smoothly. “It was confusing fi ling at fi rst, but [the check] came about a month later. It wasn’t much of a delay,” she said. As the employment picture throughout the United States continues to evolve, a Washington, D.C.-based data fi rm is trying to provide a clearer picture of what is happening right down to neighborhoods. For the average Keizerite, the picture it presents could be eye-popping. (See map on Page A1.) According to data provided by Catalyst, unemployment is likely highest (16%) south of Glynbrook Street and Candlewood Drive. Unemployment is estimated at 14% in southeast Keizer, east of River Road North between Dearborn Avenue Northeast Candlewood Drive and the Salem-Keizer Parkway. In the area bordered by the Willamette River to the west, River Road North to the east, the Staats Lake neighborhood to the north and Chemawa Road to the south unemployment is estimated to be 13%. Data for the Palma Ciea, Gubser, Hidden Creek and the Meadows neighborhoods are roughly 8-9%. Using Census estimates for the number of women in a given tract, the number of Black residents and the number of residents who work in food service, Catalyst is trying to estimate how unemployment is affecting communities throughout the nation. With those datapoints as a backdrop, researchers created an educated guess as to how many Black female food services workers live in each neighborhood and matched it with national employment statistics and demographics to build neighborhood impact maps. Catalyst warns however, that its information should be viewed in conjunction with other data as the economic picture evolves. The most recent local data from the Oregon Employment Department estimated the Salem area’s unemployment rate was 10.3%, down from 13% in May. Statewide unemployment was 11.2%. Amid the turmoil, the Mid- Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (CAA) established programs to help families whose employment has been affected by COVID-19. Between state and federal money put into the program, CAA has $5.2 million to support families struggling to pay rent. More than $1.5 million has already been disbursed since the program’s inception in June, but only 43 Keizer families of 289 total have tapped into the program. CAA typically only provides rent assistance services in rural areas, but the pandemic funds are open to anyone in the CAA’s coverage area, which includes Marion and Polk counties. In some ways, that’s not surprising, said Ashley Hamilton, program director at CAA. The need is so great at the moment that it can be diffi cult to know where to turn, she said. “We ran a homelessness prevention tool using local unemployment fi gures for March. Just for March, we estimated it would take $6.3 million to meet 30% of the need,” she said. “And we know claims went up in April and up again in May before leveling out in June.” The money can only be used for rent expenses – not mortgages – and households must to fall below certain income levels depending on the size of the household. Aside from those requirements, there are relatively few strings attached to the support. Those living in manufactured homes can lean on the program to pay for their space rents. Even citizenship is not a requirement. With federal unemployment assistance drying up, Hamilton urged those in need not to wait until they fall further in arrears to their landlords. Those interested in applying for rental assistance should contact the ARCHES Project directly by calling 503-399-9080, ext. 4003. CAA hired 18 people and formed a call center dedicated to disbursing the funds. “We can help you catch up all the way, but we also have a housing stabilization package that we can use to frontload your account with additional months of rent moving forward,” she said. Separate programs are available for those having trouble meeting energy bills. Call Energy Services directly at 503-588-9016 to access that support. To reach deeper into individual communities, CAA is partnering with a variety of other support services they call “micro” community leaders. The United Way, Mano A Mano, Family Building Blocks and Island Boy Camp are a few of the community partners. As someone who works in poverty services and outreach, Hamilton said the pandemic has given new meaning to something that once sounded like a sales pitch: that many in our community are one paycheck away from homelessness. “We suddenly had all this emerging need and people who had diffi culty asking for help or not knowing where to turn to fi nd it. We had to ask ourselves if our support net was strong enough and how we could be more supportive in this space with an added layer of fear,” she said. Dr. Jones at Oregon Garden cruise-in The Oregon Garden pres- ents Cruise-In Cinema: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Thursday, August 27. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at dusk (9:15ish). Sound is delivered by FM radio. All attendees must pur- chase their admission tickets and concessions in advance. Purchasing snacks and bever- ages online helps support the Oregon Garden and are a part of making the event profi t- able. Arrive early to park and enjoy one of these options while waiting for the movie: 1. Along with your mov- ie ticket, purchase Oregon Garden admission and walk through the garden. 2. Make dinner reserva- tions for the Gardenview Restaurant at Oregon Garden Resort, which is a 2-3 minute walk from the Drive-in Lot. Reservations are required. 3. Have a drink or dinner in the fi reside lounge located at the resort. No reservation required and minors are al- lowed until 8 p.m. No alcohol is permitted at the event. Tickets and attendance guidelines can be found on- line at tinyurl.com/y26xyzg5. File Permitted gatherings, like the concert above in Keizer Rapids Park from previous years, are off the table for at least this summer. GATHER, continued from Page A1 Keizer Rapids Park to host a scaled-down version of the annual KeizerFEST. Johnson said the council would be hard-pressed to allow such a gathering to occur without exposing itself to requests from other groups. If a gathering is expected to attract 50 people or more, a city permit is required. Councilor Kim Freeman said she saw a large group gathered in Keizer Rapids Park the weekend of Aug. 15, one that didn’t appear to be following COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing and masks. She also spotted another cluster at the boat ramp in the park. “I know we can’t stop people from going to the park, but I don’t know how other people are going to interpret the gatherings,” Freeman said. Councilor Marlene Parsons expressed concern regarding gatherings at Keizer Little League (KLL) Park. More than a month ago, she visited a tournament at the KLL park and reported back to the council that spectators were not adhering to pandemic guidelines. Johnson said that city staff had begun monitoring the park activities slightly more closely in the wake of that incident. “What we’ve heard is they are doing a ‘pretty good’ job of following the guidelines,” said City Manager Chris Eppley. Keizer Public Works Director Bill Lawyer advised the council not to permit reservations of Keizer parks at least until the end of summer. “If we don’t permit it, we don’t have the responsibility. We might be allowing it to happen, but we are not permitting it,” Lawyer said. Lawyer had the same answer when it came to block parties. “It’s one thing to permit them, it’s another thing to allow them. My neighbors held a cookout on what would have been National Night Out and they did fi ne using social distancing,” Lawyer said. If the city permitted gatherings, Eppley said, the enforcement of pandemic guidelines would fall on city staff or police. In lieu of a city- issued permit, enforcement lies with county authorities. Mayor Cathy Clark asked whether there were signs at the parks reminding people about the potential dangers of gathering in large groups. Lawyer responded that signs were in place at playgrounds and sports courts, but not at park entrances. “I visited Spongs Landing this past Sunday and the [Marion] County had signs up everywhere and I don’t think it made a bit of difference,” Lawyer said. Clark persisted saying, “I think there are some prudent locations for COVID signage.” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “ This community is beautiful and the whole staff is so attentive and caring! As a family member, I always want the very best for my Mom and I know that we have found an incredible place where I know that she is happy and well-cared for. The atmosphere is engaging and respectful and it is so good to know that Mom is in such good hands. I would highly recommend this community to anyone! ” — HEIDI C. i ty t -two. t senior l i v i n g f o r t h ose who hav v e r e ached t h e age of six Qualilty Come See the Finest in Senior Living CALL (503) 390 -1300 1165 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com
