SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
Housing
from 7A
One resource to connect
people and housing services is
HACSA. The agency is com-
mitted to providing safe,
affordable and energy-efficient
housing for low-income fami-
lies, elderly citizens and per-
sons with disabilities. It pro-
vides housing and supportive
services to more than 5,000
Lane County families a year
through Section 8 and its pub-
lic and affordable housing pro-
grams.
Section 8 is a subsidized
rental assistance program
based on household income
where participants locate their
own rental unit. HACSA
reported that as of October,
there were 84 Section 8 house-
holds in Florence.
Under its affordable housing
branch, HACSA has 1,628
units of affordable housing in
the county, and 707 units are
public housing, which HACSA
manages and maintains. In
Florence, Munsel Park has 44
units and New Winds has 18
units, which together serve 64
residents.
HACSA Public Relations
Director Ela Kubok said, “If
you successfully receive the
housing voucher based on your
income, we estimate how much
PASS q PORT
ART
FLORENCE
| OREGON
you pay in rent and how much Outreach Services, located in are any of us here? Quality of cies to look at our applications,
needs to be subsidized. The Florence, also offer similar life. It’s the No. 1 best response our properties, our potential,
premise is for households to services.
on what Florence has going for and saying, ‘We’ve got to find
never pay more than 30 percent
In addition to assistance it.”
something in Florence to
of their income for rent.”
services, HACSA has a whole
She said that current growth invest in, because we want to
She said it is up to the list of resources for landlords, is just going to help Florence be part of that.’ We’re a little
renters to find housing, as all including workshops and ways get better.
jaded, but we think we’re awe-
HACSA can provide is the that the agency can provide
Bozievich agreed.
some. We’re trying to appeal
voucher.
support.
“The need for workforce to those agencies to sink some
Besides providing housing
“I had a meeting with housing is critical,” he said. “If money into Florence.”
options, which unfortu-
In
the
end,
nately have closed
FarleyCampbell said
“The need for workforce housing is critical. If Florence the city has been
waiting lists at this
time, HACSA also pro-
can solve it, it will put us ahead of other communities. working behind the
vides energy services
on the housing
Whichever areas solve the housing issue will likely win scenes
for property owners
issue, but, until now,
future economic development battles.”
and renters. This divi-
waited for a grant
sion provides weather-
— Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich cycle to try to secure
ization, conservation
funding.
strategies and energy
“The city is drop-
education to reduce cost and HACSA, and it was exciting. I Florence can solve it, it will ping a big nickel doing this
improve livability of property.
had no idea they had all those put us ahead of other commu- HEOP study without a grant. It
HACSA encourages people programs,” FarleyCampbell nities. Whichever areas solve shows the commitment of the
to join its Family Self said. “They’re looking to do the housing issue will likely city council to say, ‘Listen, we
Sufficiency Program, which something in Florence and try- win future economic develop- need to do this. We can’t wait
teaches about savings, goal set- ing to find opportunities and ment battles.”
year after year to try to be
ting and time and resource people to partner with.”
For FarleyCampbell, it will competitive for a grant,’ which
management in order to help
According to HACSA start with taking the HEOP is how a lot of communities
families achieve financial inde- Executive Director Jacob Fox, results and updating city code. rely on getting it done,” she
pendence.
“We’re actively looking for
“There’s some amazing said.
“It’s designed to help people land to develop affordable things we can do in the short
Reynolds said the HEOP
achieve their goals,” Kubok homes in the area. We’re pre- term,” she said. “Policy stuff process is just getting started,
said. “From purchasing homes, serving affordable housing as a may take a little longer, even as the final meeting
graduating with a degree, priority and seeking new and because there’s a financial wraps up this week.
changing jobs or no longer out-of-the-box development angle that needs to be pursued.
“While the HEOP commit-
needing rent assistance, people opportunities.”
But, if we get one big develop- tee’s role, in having the con-
in the program get to learn how
Other housing and commu- er in here and we’ll feel relief. sultant and doing the survey, is
to do that with the help of a nity
resources
include You will see the waters recede. coming to the end, it signals a
counselor.”
Neighborhood
Economic
“There are some interests in kicking off point for Florence
NEDCO
and
Siuslaw Development
Corporation local businesses that are going City Council and the Planning
(NEDCO)
and
Oregon to generate a need for housing Commission to start doing
Housing and Community — lots more housing than their part of the work,” she
Services.
what we have. It’s possible said. “Our role is to provide a
To help you
Despite the struggles, people that some of that need may be healthy, safe community envi-
navigate
are still moving to Florence. accomplished by developers ronment from which people
Social media pages often show that would directly benefit can live and make those choic-
all the Florence
new people reaching out to the from having suitable housing es. … As a city, we’re really in
art community
community about anything for a suitable workforce. But the foundations by providing a
from housing options to recre- we’ll see. We’re looking at great place to work and live
has to off er
ation recommendations.
grants with the state, not nec- and play. It’s up to the individ-
“People love it here,” essarily to be competitive but ual or community group to
FarleyCampbell said. “Why to try to get those state agen- move in what has been deemed
Pick Up
YOURS
Today!
9 A
a successful direction.”
This is echoed by Florence
Area Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director Bettina
Hannigan, who sees multiple
people in her office each week
talking about housing. Some
are stopping by the Visitor’s
Center to pick up a relocation
packet, and some are asking
her about the state of the hous-
ing.
“It’s all about the three A’s:
awareness, advocacy and
action,” Hannigan said. “Our
community cannot depend on
the government to meet these
needs. It’s not the govern-
ment’s responsibility to do
private sector work, its
responsibility is to govern. It’s
important for people to start
saying, ‘We’re going to need
to step up.’”
People are encouraged to
serve on city boards and com-
mittees, or work with agencies
that help match people and
resources. The point is to get
creative.
Hannigan said she intends
to invite a friend who works in
the housing development field
to stay with her to give her
ideas on what she, personally,
can do.
The chamber can be a hub
of resources for people look-
ing to help, she added. It can
be a solution center as the city,
chamber, county and local
non-profit and for-profit
groups work together to tackle
housing.
“The future of our solutions
is in partnerships,” Hannigan
said. “Not one person is going
to have the solution or be the
answer. It’s going to have to
be a partnership for what’s
best for our community.
“It’s time to step up.”
Passports are available at the following locations:
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
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