Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis has launched her 2020 reelection campaign Wednesday. After nearly 3 years in office, addressing homelessness in the city remains among her top priorities.
As an accomplishment in her position as Mayor, Vinis cited the joint effort with Lane County and the city in funding the Technical Assistance Collaborative analysis.
The report recommended the city spend $1.9 million on building a low barrier shelter, priced at $836,000, and other services. The city council passed the proposal on July 17.
“When I campaigned the first time, in my first time in my first term I pledged and have worked on homelessness, on housing in general on what I phrase as the dual challenges of climate change and population growth, on economic development and human rights and those issues continue,'' Vinis said.
Critics have suggested money spent on the report could be better used elsewhere. In response, Vinis said the report and the shelter aren't going to solve homelessness, but they're steps toward a solution.
The filing period for mayoral and council candidates opens September 12.
