Housing & Homelessness

This summer, we reported on an initiative where homeless people were hired to clean up after encampments in the downtown Eugene area. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, the service is back.

Ongoing vandalism and harassment against area shops and restaurants are straining relationships between businesses and the homeless community. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, a new group of business owners is imploring officials to confront an issue they say only keeps getting worse.

Dozens of county officials are in Eugene this week, for the annual Association of Oregon Counties conference.  As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, the keynote issue is housing.

Homeless services in the state have gotten some much needed financial help, including some in Lane County. Oregon Housing and Community Services awarded over $1.7 million to organizations across the state to help aid emergency homeless shelters.

Last week, Egan Warming Center created a pop-up shelter due to an unseasonal cold snap. KLCC spoke with regional warming centers about their preparations as winter approaches.

Every two years, qualified applicants are chosen to receive housing subsidies under the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program. Most know it as Section 8. On November 12th the Wait List will re-open in Lane County. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert reports how dire straits in the rental market has prompted the public housing authority to “work outside of the box” to get more low-income individuals and families into permanent housing.

Lane County’s public housing authority, Homes for Good, has announced the Section 8 Wait List for rental assistance vouchers will soon re-open. It’s the first time in two years. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert reports.

The unhoused population in the Eugene area has put the city first in the U.S. for homelessness, according to a new survey that used last year's federal data. 

As temperatures begin to drop, St. Vincent de Paul is continuing preparations for their Egan Warming Center program. This season they’re opening two new shelter sites, including one in Springfield. 

Next month, construction will begin on Lane County’s newest housing project to address chronic homelessness. The 51-unit complex, called The Commons on MLK, will go up across the street from Autzen Stadium in Eugene. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert walked the site and has this report.

A memorial was held Friday for a 57-year old woman who died on the streets of Eugene. Her death has once again raised the question of why more isn’t being done to shelter homeless people. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert reports from First Christian Church.

Scientists say there’s a 1-in-3 chance of a powerful earthquake hitting the Pacific Northwest in the next 50 years. Residents of the Cascadia Subduction Zone are advised to stockpile two weeks’ worth of water, food, and medical supplies should the “Big One” strike. As part of our series on Oregon's Natural Resources and Resilience funded by the UO Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics, KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, economic disparities already divide those who can readily prepare, and those who will struggle to.

In a move to symbolically reaffirm Lane County’s work toward addressing the issue, the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution, 4-1, Tuesday. The resolution declares a homelessness emergency in Lane County.

Hard drugs are driving up the numbers of homeless, says a non-profit group that helps the poor and unhoused. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, a shelter that isn’t normally at capacity until winter is already packed.

The vote on whether or not to rezone a Springfield mobile home park has been put off until possibly later this month. 

The City of Eugene continues to deal with homelessness.  Recently, this included sending out crews with the Lane County Sheriff's Department, Eugene Police, and the city's Parks and Open Spaces staff to gather and transport heavy amounts of waste that could endanger the environment or visitors.

The Executive Director of ShelterCare will retire at the end of this year. Susan Ban has led the human-services agency in the Eugene-Springfield community for over 28 years. As KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert reports, the announcement gives staff and volunteers opportunity to reflect on her work.