Item A: Envision Eugene Update - Social Equity

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of all homeowners. Among people in our community with low and very low incomes, 80 percent have a housing cost burden. Other trends show emerging challenges, such as an increase in vulnerable groups as a percentage of the population. For example, Lane County’s share of people over 60-years-old is expected to increase from 17 percent in 2000 to 26 percent in 2030. These individuals may experience greater difficulties coping with increased housing costs as their incomes remain fixed or decline. Trends also show an increase in the Eugene’s Latino population alone, which is the fastest growing demographic, increased 259 percent between 1990 and 2007, and is expected to double statewide over the next 20 years. This community may have lower-than-average household income, more poverty, and lower-than-average home ownership rates. These trends are relevant to the goals and outcomes of Envision Eugene. Important discussions include setting an appropriate mix of multi-family and single-family housing, identifying where, and how, and what type of new housing will be developed, and considering the connection between housing, services and affordable transportation options. Another aspect for consideration is the impact of redevelopment on existing older housing stock, some of which is occupied by low-income persons. Displacement of affordable housing by new redevelopment projects should not go unaddressed. Access to Services According to the 2009 United Way assessment, many families, particularly those with children, are experiencing difficulty paying for and accessing services in all categories. Health care and other basic services may not only be expensive, but are difficult to reach for people lacking affordable transportation options. Cutbacks in transit service and a lack of housing opportunities near transit lines are contributing factors that hinder access to basic services such as healthcare, grocery stores, schools, parks and work places. Integrating land use related decisions with transportation planning projects such as the Transportation Plan Update, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, and LTD infrastructure projects are critical to improving affordable transportation access. Another tool that is being discussed as a part of Envision Eugene is the concept of “20-minute neighborhoods”. As a high-priority recommendation in the Community Climate and Energy Action Plan, planning for 20-minute neighborhoods is a tool that facilitates the location of services within walking, biking, and transit distance of most homes. Neighborhood Livability As housing affordability and access issues have intensified, so have the pressures on Eugene’s existing neighborhoods. New development and redevelopment has occurred more intensely in some areas, prompting serious concerns about impacts to neighborhood quality. Concerns relate mostly to the design and function of new building projects, additional impacts from new residents, transportation and parking concerns, and a lack of adequate infrastructure to support increased densities. The products created by the Infill Compatibility Standards and Opportunity Siting projects can help to address these issues and there is strong support from the neighborhoods to continue their implementation (see Attachment A). Envision Eugene is not the only path to address the issues of housing affordability, access to services and neighborhood livability, but there are important tools we can put in place through this project that \\Cesrv500\cc support\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110112\S110112A.doc