SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 | 5A
Ambassador from page 1A around town, most re-
cently at the opening
retired or moved away. We of Miller Park’s new
have a great group of people concession facility on
and it is fun to represent the Aug. 3.
city. So, if anyone is interest-
Bones was the Flor-
ed, they should just give us ence First Citizen in
a call or come out for our 2005 and has long-
monthly meetings, which term connections to
are usually at my house. We the Florence Garden
have dinner and talk about Club and the Florence
events, and get to know each Chapter of the Amer-
other.”
ican Rhododendron
The Florence Ambassa- Society. His participa-
dors can often be seen at tion as a volunteer in
ribbon-cuttings and events fundraising endeavors
HOUSING from page 1A
Each month, the food
share serves 50,000 pounds
of food, and about 60 per-
cent of the food donated to
the pantry comes from the
hands of local businesses and
people.
“Without that, there’s so
many families that wouldn’t
be able to succeed in this
community,” Morgan said.
In the late weeks of June,
there was a “significant in-
crease” of shoppers at the
pantry, he said. More people
were experiencing food in-
security due to a decrease in
federal aid and keeping up
with rent payments.
“We perceived that in-
crease was as more individ-
uals were having to either
catch up on rent, or were ex-
periencing some of the feder-
al aid go away,” Morgan said.
“And that should be a real
concern.”
He talked about the area’s
low unemployment rate, and
how people are having a hard
time hiring their open posi-
tions.
“Most of the issues with
our inability to hire, or inabil-
ity to find folks to hire, is due
to their workers available. It’s
something that we as a com-
munity can definitely tackle,”
he said.
He talked about how a
grassroots organization like
food share heavily relies on
community support in order
to pass on the assistance to
others.
Around 90 of Florence
The Florence Ambassador Board of Direc-
tions consists of (from left) Vice President Igor
Kusznirczuk, President Mike Bones, Secretary
Kathy Bones and Treasurer Terry Woodward.
Food Share’s clients are un-
housed, which could mean
couch hopping, staying in
their cars or living on the
streets.
Morgan reiterated how the
foundation of the community
is dependent on housing, and
therefore it should be a com-
munity effort to address it.
“We really try to connect
those folks with resources
that help them out of that sit-
uation,” he said. “Because as a
community, it’s just better for
everyone to be staying some-
where safe.”
On Aug. 16, Oregon Gov.
Kate Brown extended the
residential mortgage foreclo-
sure moratorium until Dec.
31, 2021. This means Oregon
homeowners are protected
from losing their homes due
to foreclosures if they have
experienced lost income
during COVID-19 and are
unable to pay their mortgage.
For the 30 percent of Or-
egonians who fell under the
likelihood of eviction or fore-
closure earlier in August, this
may be helpful announce-
ment.
“As we continue to see
record high numbers of
COVID-19 hospitalizations
driven by the Delta surge,
I am committed to ensur-
ing that Oregonians have
a warm, dry, safe place to
live during this pandemic,”
said Brown. “Extending the
temporary residential fore-
closure moratorium another
three months will prevent
removal of Oregonians from
their homes by foreclosure,
which would result in serious
health, safety, welfare and fi-
nancial consequences, and
which would undermine key
efforts to prevent spread of
COVID-19.”
For Oregon renters, rent-
al assistance continues to
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Call
for local nonprofits
continues.
After Bones was
named First Citizen,
he spoke about the
importance of volun-
teers.
“I was raised in this
caring
community.
Giving back by vol-
unteering is a way to
show that appreciation, be-
sides making me just plain
feel good,” he said. “Giving
back and helping others is a
very rewarding experience
in itself. Besides helping
our community look good
and prosper, there are many
opportunities for everyone
to volunteer in our commu-
nity. Do your part.”
provide a 60-day safe har-
bor period from eviction for
nonpayment of rent. People
can find more information at
OregonRentalAssistance.org.
Though Florence ranks the
sixth-best place to retire in
Oregon, founded by Smar-
tAsset’s 2021 list, affordable
and available housing re-
mains scarce behind closed
doors. The impacts of this
have opened an economic re-
cession, negatively impacting
the overall livelihood of the
community, its local busi-
nesses, organizations, em-
ployees and families.
The need for housing
grows as newcomers move
in and pull housing opportu-
nities from right underneath
long-term residents who live
in search of a home.
Coldwell Banker Coast
Real Estate Principal Broker
Andy Johnson believes hous-
ing affordability and avail-
ability are an issue, and what
used to be considered af-
fordable homes have “almost
evaporated,” he said. “The
main driver is the popularity
of Florence and people retir-
ing, or perhaps buying a sec-
ond home.”
Local real estate compa-
nies have noticed a steady
number of people buying
homes. On average, there are
new listings every day, but
the demand for available and
affordable housing outweighs
the supply.
“Anything
that
was
once $100,000 is now over
$300,000. It’s just the nature
of supply and demand with
the market,” Johnson ex-
plained. “We’re just doing the
best we can, trying to bring
good homes to the market
that are affordable, and at the
same time trying to get sellers
the most for their property.”
In terms of local real es-
tate’s involvement in the
economy, Johnson believes
homeownership facilitates
several business opportuni-
ties in the community.
“If somebody is here buy-
ing a house, perhaps they’re
going to remodel, and maybe
that’s going to give contrac-
tors, flooring and appliance
companies some work. In-
surance companies as well,”
he said. “All of those things
that are associated with
homeownership. It’s multi-
faceted, and that’s how we
kind of help the economy.”
Johnson reiterated how
important a collaborative ef-
fort is in bringing affordable
and available housing to the
area. “That’s what it’ll take,”
he said.
See CONT. page 6A
Helping Hands Coalition
Come and join us for a
Summer-time BBQ
Selling hamburgers,
polish and hot dogs
We will also have soda, bottled water & chips.
541-902-6447
Date: August 21, 2021
Time: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Grocery outlet parking lot
Drift wood Shores Resort
88416 1st Avenue, Florence
All proceeds to stay in Florence and help those in need of a free meal.
We are open for dine-in, take-out,
sidewalk & patio seating
We are doing everything
we can to safely
serve our community.
We are open:
Noon to 8pm every day
2020
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Big Fish Café
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Ask us about other services we
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Licensed & Insured
now through 08.31.21
HOURS
Is your family prepared?
If an emergency happens in your community,
it may take emergency workers some time to reach you.
You should be prepared to take care of yourself and
your family for a minimum of 240 hours.
We are open and
ready to assist you!
Weekly Special:
Friday:
Lobster Rolls
New summer menu
Check it out at www.
nosheateryfl orence.com/menu
Get your emergency kit started with
these essentials:
❑ Pen and paper
❑ Money
❑ Address and phone numbers
❑ Work gloves
❑ Basic tools
Johnston Motor Company
Since 1939
Wed-Sat 11am-9pm
www.nosheateryfl orence.com
541-997-5899 • 1269 Bay Street Old Town Florence
This message brought to you by the West Lane
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IDENTIFY • PREPARE • SURVIVE
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475