Item B: Council Priority Issue - Homeless Strategy

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ATTACHMENT B City of Eugene Chronological History of Homeless Efforts & Actions 1947 to Present The following is a comprehensive list of local initiatives and programs to help the homeless. The only change to this document from the one presented on July 13, 2005 is the item for 2005 documenting the City Council Priority Issue and the progress to-date. 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. th 1970 Family Shelter House opened with City assistance, on E. 11 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 unit), and the expansion and rehabilitation of the Family Shelter House and the creation of the Intergovernmental Housing Policy 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: publicly 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 st effort started on November 1. 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. 1990 Housing Policy Board (HPB) formed, by intergovernmental agreement, between Lane County, Eugene, Springfield, and HACSA. This public-private partnership prioritizes permanent housing over emergency housing and sets a goal of adding 100 new rental housing units per year. Status: As of June 2005, 1,526 subsidized rental housing units have either been added, or are in the pipeline for completion. Many are rented to formerly homeless households or those at risk of homelessness. Page 1 of 4 11/21/2005