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<br />February 11, 2020 8 Eugene and Springfield, OR <br /> <br />Non-Homeless Special Needs Populations <br />People with special needs need additional support for housing and supportive services. This includes <br />seniors, ex-offenders, people with HIV/AIDS, victims of domestic violence, people with drug and <br />alcohol addictions, people who are evicted or foreclosed, people with physical and mental <br />disabilities, veterans, youth and youg adults, and youth aging out of foster care. <br /> Special needs populations need additional support as it relates to affordable housing, <br />human services, employment opportunities, and accessibility improvements in housing and <br />public facilities. <br /> In both cities, 49% of students in the three public districts are eligible for free or reduced <br />lunch. <br /> One in seven Oregonians and one in five children in Oregon are food insecure. <br /> Free local bus passes, gasoline, care repair, driver’s license, ID card or birth certificate fee <br />were all identified as difficult to access based upon feedback provided by the constituency <br />surveyed. <br /> Housing vacancy rates and rent to wage ratios affect the necessity of basic needs assistance. <br /> There is one domestic violence provider in Eugene. Records indicated there are minimal <br />domestic violence and sexual assault providers, with limited shelter space and housing assets <br />dedicated to survivors and those fleeing domestic violence. <br /> In the Community Survey, respondents identified mental health and addiction services and <br />housing services as the greatest social services needs. Respondents also identified Assist <br />human service agencies with facilities acquisition or improvements as the most needed <br />Community Development Need. <br />Employment Opportunities <br />People who have low-incomes, are unemployed or underemployed need a broader range of <br />employment opportunities, including self-employment <br /> After Lane County lost 18,000 between 2007 and 2010, employment has continued to <br />grow [back to pre-recession levels] currently peaking at 95% as of 2017. As unemployment <br />rates have declined in recent years, so too has job growth since 2016. <br /> Workers in the Eugene Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage <br />of $22.75 in May 2018, about 9 percent below the nationwide average of $24.98. <br /> Not all sectors have returned to pre-recession levels, including financial activities, <br />Construction, Manufacturing, and Information. <br /> <br /> <br />February 24, 2020, Work Session – Item 2CC Agenda - Page 22