Agenda Packet 3-13-19 Work Session

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March 13, 2019, Work Session – Item 1 partnership with the Jefferson Westside, Whiteaker, and Bethel neighborhood associations. In all, approximately 112 community members participated in the listening sessions. While the meetings were targeted to renters, any interested person could participate. Highlights from the Survey and Listening Sessions Of the 851 survey respondents, 98 percent reported living in Eugene zip codes. The other 2 percent included persons who identified as previously renting in Eugene, unhoused individuals and families who recently rented in Eugene, respondents who did not identify any zip code, and two zip codes near Eugene without further explanation. Overall, household types were made up of families with children (28 percent), families without children (28 percent), individuals living alone (25 percent), and non-family households (19 percent). In addition, 60 percent of respondents were employed full-time, 20 percent were employed part-time, and 18 percent reported that they were not currently employed. Full-time students made up 13 percent of respondents, while an additional 3 percent were part-time students. Affordability – Over half (56 percent) of survey respondents reported that they are not satisfied with their current rental home. When presented with a list of reasons why renters are not satisfied, 68 percent indicated the rent is too high. In other questions on the survey, 51 percent of respondents indicated they had experienced a rent increase while 15 percent said that rent increases were so high they had to leave a previous rental. Respondents were offered the opportunity to provide additional comments about the current rental housing market in Eugene and over 53 percent commented about the high cost of rent or increasing rent. Some renters indicated they are unable to save for home ownership because of the high cost of rent. In addition, comments included that local wages are low and do not match current market-rate rents. Another issue of affordability included was the unexpected high cost of utilities. According to Strategic Economics’ January 2019 report, Eugene Housing Tools and Strategies Evaluation, the median rent in multifamily rental buildings is $1058, which requires a minimum income of $42,300 to be considered affordable. The median renter household in Eugene has an income of $26,000. The majority of renter households in Eugene are rent-burdened, with 58 percent paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent, and—of the total—36 percent are considered severely rent-burdened and pay more than 50 percent of their income on rent. Availability – Renters were asked to describe their experiences in finding their current rental home, and 71 percent described it as competitive and stressful. While 15 percent described the process as quick and easy, some respondents noted they had been in their homes for years or found their home through family or friends. Renters commented on the difficulties of finding a rental that is affordable, habitable and in their desired location. Access – About one-third of survey respondents indicated that they felt they had experienced discrimination while searching for housing or renting. Renters belonging to the following protected classes reported more discrimination: legal source of income, disability, familial status, age, and marital or domestic partner status.