Item B: Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan

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6. 20% of Lane County households have received food assistance from Food for Lane County in 2007. Children make up nearly half of those assisted. 7. Over 6,000 Lane County households received energy assistance last year. 35% of EWEB’s customers qualify. 8. 20,000 area households are income eligible for subsidized housing, according to the 2000 census. About 4,500 actually receive assistance. Those who are not assisted are typically renters who are “rent burdened” because they pay over 30% of their monthly income for housing costs. 75% of low-income renters are cost burdened. 9. Our community is experiencing a severe housing crisis. Vacancy rates are below 2%, leaving lower income households to compete in an environment where demand exceeds supply. Families with children and people with disabilities particularly struggle. Once people lose their housing they are faced with significant challenges in order to become re-housed. 10. Homelessness is an extreme form of poverty. It damages lives, breaks up families and is very costly for the whole community as it impacts public safety, public health, and public education. 11. People with both physical and mental disabilities, even when employed, are frequently unable to earn an adequate wage to afford housing. Furthermore, if their income increases they may lose benefits or access to healthcare. 12. For people eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the application process is daunting, generally requires an advocate, and typically takes two or more years before any assistance is received. 90% of applicants are rejected on their first attempt. B. Causes of poverty and homelessness 1. Housing costs have increased at about twice the rate as incomes during the last decade. 2. Households are forced to make challenging spending decisions when there isn’t enough money for shelter, food, healthcare and other critical needs. 3. A household healthcare crisis is a leading cause of homelessness. Cutbacks in the Oregon Health Plan contribute to the problem. Health care problems result in 52% of all bankruptcies in America. 4. Two-thirds of Eugene renters and one-third of Eugene homeowners are experiencing a hardship. Low vacancy rates and rising rents and home prices will contribute to an even greater need for affordable housing. 5. Public funding for assistance services of all kinds continues to decrease nationally. Since 1980, the federal government has reduced Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) funding by 87%. 21 Blue Ribbon Committee on Homelessness, Recommendation April 2, 2008 -- Page