Agenda Packet 2-24-20 Work Session

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February 11, 2020 2 Eugene and Springfield, OR Racial and Ethnic Composition Eugene and Springfield are becoming increasingly racially and ethnically diverse. Latino residents are the fastest growing population, representing 10.2% of the population in the two cities, and this population has grown 26.4% between 2000 and 2017. Approximately 21% of the population of the cities are either Latino or minority race. Household Composition As of 2017, family households still make up the largest percentage of households with 54% (Eugene – 52%, Springfield – 59%), and of those, 10% of households is single female headed households. There has also been a significant increase in single person households which now make up 45% of all households. The largest growth in household type is non-family households which increased 57% between 2000 and 2017. Average household size 2.33 in Eugene and 2.50 in Springfield. Income and Poverty Although growing, Median Household Income for both Eugene ($47,489) and Springfield ($41,700) is lower than the US ($57,652) and Lane County ($47,710). Further, there are many residents in both cities that are struggling, as evidenced by other indicators; 19% of Eugene residents and 28% of Springfield residents receive food stamp benefits (SNAP), and 49% of students from the three Public School Districts in Eugene and Springfield are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Low wages also contribute to financial instability. In 2017, 21% of households in Eugene and 20% of households in Springfield income in the past 12 months was below the poverty level. Persons with Disabilities In the Cities of Eugene and Springfield, about 32,438 people, or 14%, live with one or more disabilities. The highest reported disabilities include ambulatory (8%), cognitive (8%), and difficulty with independent living (7%). Persons Experiencing Homelessness The 2019 Point-in-Time Count (PIT) identified 2,165 people in Lane County experiencing homelessness, a 32% increase from 2018 and 49% increase from 2016. Over two-thirds of this population, or 1633 individuals, met HUD’s definition of unsheltered, which does include 411 persons staying in “alternative to shelter” programs such as Dusk to Dawn, Opportunity Village, and Conestoga Huts. The 2019 PIT count also found that 759 persons experiencing homelessness were seriously mentally ill, 724 were chronically homeless, 525 reported substance abuse, 173 were veterans, and 113 were families with children staying in a shelter. For FY 2018, Lane County reported that 2,753 unduplicated individuals who were homeless received human services from one or more agencies. During the 2018-2019 school year, the three public school districts in Eugene February 24, 2020, Work Session – Item 2CC Agenda - Page 16