Housing First Umpqua
Housing Crisis
Both statewide and here in Douglas County, we have a rental housing shortfall, and an affordability issue that has become a crisis, especially for those living in poverty. However, it is not just limited to the poor. Even those with full-time jobs cannot afford housing.
According to United Community Action Network’s (UCAN) 2018 needs assessment, the following is true:
In 2016, of a total population of 105,864 in Douglas County, 19,701 or 18.61% of people were living in poverty.
To illustrate the issue: in 2017, our community had $37,000,000 come into the county from SNAP (also known as food stamps) users.
A household is considered “severely rent burdened” when they are paying more than 50% of their income to rent.
In Douglas County:
Of all residents renting, 2 of every 7 are severely rent burdened.
Of all low-income residents renting, 5 of every 7 are severely rent burdened.
Things like limited income, and other significant barriers to housing (evictions, credit, criminal record) make it more likely a person will end up homeless.
According to research done by Oregon Housing and Community Services about Douglas County:
The 2017 Point-in-Time Count identified 463 homeless people. The 2019 count is expected to be higher. With the pandemic we have not been able to obtain the most current point in time count numbers.
Although the average wage of renters is $11.99 per hour, according to HUD’s fair market rent, a person needs to earn $14.10 an hour to afford a 2-bedroom apartment in this community.
You must work a 56-hour work week, at current wage levels, to afford a two-bedroom apartment in this community.
Multi-family units are not being built in Douglas County. In 2015, most of the building permits issued in this county were for single family homes.
Some things to consider:
Housing costs, not just rent, should cost no more than 30% of your income. According to HUD, families that pay more than that have difficulty paying for necessities. These are often people with minimal to no savings, and being sick or having an emergency and missing a paycheck could put them out on the street.
Fair Market Rent established by HUD for Douglas County for 2019 is $772, for a one bedroom.
Average Social Security Retirement is $1,461 a month, or equal to about $8.50 an hour for a full-time job.
Average Social Security Disability is $1,234 or equal to $7.17 an hour.
A disabled person living on SSI only gets $771.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF also known as welfare) for a family of 3 in Oregon is no more than $503 a month.
Most rent for publicly funded “affordable” housing in Douglas County is not based on household income, and is so unaffordable to many low-income households that they are living in their cars, staying where they can, or out on the street. Families being helped with TANF or SSI do maintain a life on that alone.
Even our only publicly owned Transitional Housing project, Orchard Knoll, charges set rent amounts above 30% of monthly income.
Many chronically homeless, living on the street, have no income and no way to secure housing no matter the cost. No matter what level of poverty, there are barriers to adequate affordable housing and a need to change our approach if we want to make progress and ensure that everyone in the community has the means to prosper.
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Facts & Resources:
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