Item B: Homeless Strategy Issue - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ATTACHMENT B City of Eugene Chronological History of Homeless Efforts & Actions 1947 to Present 1947 Returning WW II vets allowed to camp in 100 sq ft trailers obtained from Portland's war effort in a muddy cow pasture in West Eugene (now Sladden Park in the Whiteaker Neighborhood). Status: This initiative no longer in existence. 1967 City created a special land use zone for the Eugene Mission to allow them to move to their current location on W. First Avenue. Status: Special land use zone still in effect. 1970 Family Shelter House opened with City assistance, on E. 11th Avenue, at the site that became the "Animal House." The facility moved to its current location, 969 Hwy. 99 N, in 1977. Status: This facility is still in operation. 1983 City of Eugene Vagrancy Task Force established. (Chaired by a City Councilor) Status: Prohibited camping ordinance adopted, but recommendations for companion service funding were not implemented. 1987 City Council Social Goals Committee (Three Councilors and a Planning Commissioner) established. Status: A new focus on the creation of low-income housing, reviving a program to landbank sites (this included purchasing the Walnut Grove site, now nearing build-out, with 103 subsidized and 58 market rate rental and ownership uniO, and the expansion and rehabifitation of the Family Shelter House and the creation of the Intergovernmental Housing Poficy Board (HPB). Family Shelter still exists, but budget cuts' have resulted in a drop from 29 to 21 available units'. The HPB still exists'. (Note: pubficly assisted emergency housing assistance has generally decreased. For instance, the 96 motel vouchers in 1990-91 no longer exist. ) 1988 Opportunity Shelter opened as part of a community effort, spearheaded by the Eugene City Manager and the County Administrator, to house 50 homeless families by Thanksgiving. The effort started on November 1st. Status: The shelter operated for two years at 1990 Amazon, during which time its' effectiveness and other alternatives were evaluated (see below). The 4J school district donated the space, which continues to be used for homeless assistance. 1989 Planning commission completes a study related to affordable housing. This includes adopting limitations on MH park closures, zoning changes such as duplex units on corner lots, reducing parking for affordable housing projects, and a controlled income and rent density bonus. Status: Options for low-income housing development increased. Some of the changes were amended or lost during the land use code update process. 1989 Lane County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing established. Status: This 23-member task force with broad-based membership created a blueprint for future housing efforts' that remain in effect today. Recommendations for a stable funding source were not adopted by the Board of Commissioners. But the creation of the HPB was a direct result. Page 1 of 1 7/6/2005