POVERTY AND HOUSING IN MCMINNVILLE

WHY DOES IT

MATTER?

THE NEED

THE SOLUTIO

NS

Prepared and presented by Elise and Joslyn Hui on behalf of the Housing Authority of Yamhill

County05/12/15

WHY DOES IT MATTER?*Reading of Homeless Essay by Joslyn Hui

Community health requires a community-wide commitment

Concept of our Community as Family Family includes everyone, the strong and the vulnerable A healthy family accepts responsibility to take care of each

other, especially the vulnerable

Our vision for McMinnville includes an adequate level of affordable housing alternatives• Look at housing as a continuum• Homeless Shelters• Transitional Housing• Permanent Supportive Housing/Affordable Housing (longer-term)• Market Rate Housing• Homeownership

05/12/15

THE NEEDRecent Series of Articles in the Oregonian on Homelessness

3/1/15 issue by Anna Griffin• “In the U.S. today, 600,000 people are homeless and 7 million more

are one missed paycheck or health crisis from sleeping on the streets.”2014 Yamhill County Point In Time Count - 1/29/2014

Total – 1217 Homeless Individuals• Of these, 500 children or 45% of the total• 227 individuals or about 19% of total were chronically homeless

- Four or more episodes of homelessness in the past three yearsSection 8 Waiting List• Was closed for 3 ½ years, completely went through all names on waiting list.• Reopened end of August 2014.• As of end of March 2015, 1328 on waiting list.• Applicants must be very low income (below 50% area median family income) at

the time of admission to qualify for program.

05/12/15

“AFFORDABLE HOUSING”Who Needs Affordable Housing?

Families who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care. An estimated 12 million renter and homeowner households now pay more than 50 percent of their annual incomes for housing. A family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the United States (www.hud.gov).

In Yamhill County, a household must include 1.9 minimum wage earners working 40 hours per week year-round in order to make the two-bedroom fair market rent ($944) affordable or one minimum wage earner working 72 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment. -Employment opportunities critical to helping those able to work to move forward.

05/12/15

WHO DOES HAYC SERVE?From 2014 Annual Report to the Community:

The average annual income for households assisted was $12,954 which equates to about $6.23/hour.30.5% of households assisted are disabled.14.7% of households assisted are elderly.62% of households assisted have children.Only families with incomes lower than 50 percent of the median local income level at the time of admission are eligible for Section 8.

AND At least 75 percent of families receiving Section 8

assistance must have incomes below 30 percent of the area median income at the time of admission which is $24,250 for a family of 4.

05/12/15

CURRENT INCOME LEVELS AND POVERTY GUIDELINES

# in Household

Federal PovertyGuidelines

Extremely Low (30%)

Very Low (50%)

1 $11,770 $15,450 $25,7502 $15,930

($7.66/hr)$17,650

($8.49/hr)$29,400

3 $20,090 ($9.66/hr)

$20,090 $33,100

4 $24,250 $24,250 $36,7505 $28,410 $28,410 $39,7006 $32,570 $32.570 $42,6507 $36,730 $36,730 $45,6008 $40,890 $40,890 $48,550

FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES/2015 INCOME LIMITS For Section 8

As of January 1, 2015, the Oregon minimum wage became $9.25/hour. For a one person household this

would equal $19,240/year. A person making this amount paying 30% of their income for rent and

utilities would be able to afford $481/month.05/12/15

MCMINNVILLE STATISTICS

Persons below poverty level 2009-2013:• U.S. – 14.5% for 2013• Oregon – 16.2% - 636,347 persons• Yamhill County – 14.6% - 14,706 persons• McMinnville – 20.2% - 6,692 persons• Statistics from http://quickfacts.census.gov

Children in poverty:• In 2013, more than one in five Oregon children (22 percent)

lived in poverty. This equates to 182,000 children.• Statistics from http://datacenter.kidscount.org

05/12/15

TYPES OF POVERTYLong-term poverty:• Generational poverty• Working poor• Those who are disabled, elderly, or on limited fixed incomes

Temporary or situational poverty:• Temporary job loss• Chronic unemployment• Short-term health crisis• Long-term disability• Family events• Divorce• Death of a loved one

Information from http://oregonbusinessplan.org

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IMPACT OF HOUSING INSTABILITYHealth Outcomes:• For individuals and families trapped in a cycle of crisis and

housing instability, housing can entirely dictate their health outcomes.• Housing instability may lead to heightened stress levels,

symptoms of depression and other psychological disorders, and higher incidence of ear infections, asthma and other physical health conditions among children.• Housing is a necessary precursor of health.

Data gathered from CSH – Housing is the Best Medicine – July 2014 and Center For Housing Policy – Should I Stay or Should I Go?

05/12/15

IMPACT OF HOUSING INSTABILITYEducation Outcomes:• Research indicates that both residential mobility (even

without a change in school enrollment) and school mobility (with or without a residential move) can negatively affect children’s educational achievement.• Disruption in instruction and curriculum.• Difficulty finding a quiet place to study or do

homework.• Severing peer networks and child care arrangements

that reinforce learning and cognitive development.• Disruption caused by parents’ and children’s stress

and anxiety related to moving.Data gathered from Center For Housing Policy – Should I Stay or Should I Go?

05/12/15

IMPACT OF HOUSING INSTABILITYEmployment:• Difficult for individuals to maintain gainful employment

when housing is unstable.• Lack of address• Lack of adequate facilities for doing laundry, showering• Lack of place to store their belongings while job hunting

and/or working.

05/12/15

IMPACT OF HOUSING INSTABILITY

Societal impacts:• Fear of the homeless• Lack of understanding/misunderstanding• Stereotypes• Mistrust

• Education needs are often unmet when youth are homeless Public health risks are increased More children enter into the care of Department of Human

Services (DHS) Family stability erodes Poor work force development

05/12/15

YAMHILL COUNTY 10-YEAR ENDING HOMELESSNESS PLAN

• Fall 2006, Yamhill County Commissioners passed a resolution to move forward with a 10-year plan.• 2007, Commissioner Kathy George and other community leaders created

the Ending Homelessness Steering Committee (now Governing Council).• 2008, shelter count, draft 10-year plan, Ending Homelessness Kickoff

Event, and community support broadened.• Each year since plan was implemented, we have done a full countywide

homeless count as well as held a Community Connect Event.• This year’s event will be held on Friday,

May 15th from 10-2 at Chemeketa and will include over 40 service providers medical screenings, haircuts, bike repair, dental care, and pet care.

05/12/15

MOVING FROM NEEDS TO SOLUTIONSLocal organizations in Yamhill County are working hard

to provide solutions, but the need keeps growing: YCAP:

A small number of “Tenant-Based Assistance” vouchers are issued monthly for temporary emergency housing.

Small amount of funds available for security deposits and to prevent evictions.

Operates 3 homes for homeless (11 family units), but homes are in critical need of replacement.

Weatherization funds but only targeted to specific weatherization issues, not necessarily to life, health, safety issues.

Numerous non-housing programs to assist families with other expenses.

05/12/15

MOVING FROM NEEDS TO SOLUTIONS YAMHILL COUNTY GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION:

17 beds Unable to expand capacity in current location due to conditional

use permit. Currently 17 people on waiting list.

HENDERSON HOUSE In 2013 – housed 141 adults, 119 children In 2014 – housed 105 women, 76 children – lower number because

flood closed basement 4 rooms for most of the year In Quarter 1 of 2015 – housed 20 adults, 19 children

05/12/15

MOVING FROM NEEDS TO SOLUTIONS HOUSING AUTHORITY:

1,343 Section 8 vouchers issued in Yamhill County. “Fast Track” vouchers with: Yamhill Community Corrections, YCAP,

Yamhill County Health and Human Services, Yamhill County Veterans Services, DHS for the Family Unification Program, and internal voucher s for foreclosures.

584 rental units, 186 families currently on the waiting lists for these units.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program (150 families) to equip assisted families on the path toward self-sufficiency.

Education Component – Classes provided including Financial Literacy, Ready To Rent, and ABC’S of Homebuying.

184 Housing Rehabilitation Loans outstanding with income-eligible owners.

Also provide Loss Mitigation, Foreclosure Counseling, and have administered the mortgage payment assistance programs on behalf of the state.

05/12/15

MOVING FROM NEEDS TO SOLUTIONS MCMINNVILLE CWISH (Community Winter Inclement Shelter

Help): From October 2013-March 2014 – CWISH was open 40 days and

moved 15 times to 5 different locations. Total sheltered was 537 with 7-19 individuals being sheltered each night. For the Winter 2014 season which was a much milder season, total sheltered was 285.

IN ADDITION: MCMINNVILLE FEEDING MINISTRIES – Served 57,323 meals in

2013 and 66,970 meals in 2014 for an increase of 9,647. In 2014, this equates to an average of 183 meals being served per day.

MCMINNVILLE FREE CLINIC – Opened on March 2, 2013 and has had a grand total of 947 patient visits through April 18, 2015.

05/12/15

MOVING FROM NEEDS TO SOLUTIONS COMMUNITY HOMEBUILDERS:

13 homes constructed in 2013, 9 homes constructed in 2014 All homes in Lafayette, prices ranging from $160,000 - $175,000 Program serves homebuyers under 80% of AMI 400 applications for Self-Help homes received in 2014.

Owners of Villa Del Sol 24 unit farmworker housing project

Applicants must be below 80% of AMI; 15 units restricted to between 30-50% AMI

MCMINNVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: 6 homes constructed in 2013-2014 Low Income Homeownership Program, serves homebuyers under

80% of AMI Receive 20-30 applications for homes each year

05/12/15

BASIS FOR PROVIDING SOLUTIONSCity of McMinnville Comprehensive Plan, Volume II, Goal # V1: To promote

development of affordable, quality housing for all city residents• 58.00 “City land development ordinances shall provide opportunities for

development of a variety of housing types and densities.”• 59.00 “Opportunities for multiple-family and mobile home developments shall be

provided in McMinnville to encourage lower-cost rent and owner-occupied housing.”

• 64.00 “The City of McMinnville shall work in cooperation with other governmental agencies…, and private groups to determine housing needs, provide better housing opportunities and improve housing conditions for low and moderate income families.”

• 69.00 “The City of McMinnville shall explore the utilization of innovative land use regulatory ordinances which seek to integrate the functions of housing, commercial, and industrial developments into a compatible framework within the city.”

• 70.00 “The City of McMinnville shall continue to update zoning and subdivision ordinances to include innovative land development techniques and incentives that provide for a variety of housing types, densities, and price ranges that will adequately meet the present and future needs of the community.”

05/12/15

EXAMPLES TO CONSIDERTent City Models (from SHARE/WHEEL’s website):• SHARE/WHEEL's Tent Cities are portable, self-managed communities of up to

100 homeless men and women. SHARE/WHEEL's Tent Cities are democratically organized. They operate with a strict Code of Conduct which requires sobriety, nonviolence, cooperation and participation. Security workers are on duty 24 hours a day. Litter patrols are done on a daily basis.

• Tent Cities provide their own trash removal and port-a-potties. Bus tickets are provided to each participant each day so s/he can get to work or appointments. There is a food preparation area. Volunteers bring hot meals most evenings to both Tent Cities.

• Tent Cities are needed because there is not enough indoor shelter for all who need it in King County. Tent Cities provide a safe place to leave your belongings, flexible hours for workers, and the ability for couples to stay together. Tent City3 started in 2000. It operates mainly in the City of Seattle. Tent City4 started in 2004 and operates mostly in King County.Tent City4 sets up at St. John

Vianney

Personal tent areas

Community tents

05/12/15

EXAMPLES TO CONSIDERTiny House Models :• Opportunity Village - Eugene• 30 tiny houses, simple modular 80-sq feet units.• Shared communal kitchen, bathrooms, showers, and gathering

space.• Built with $100,000 in private donations and an equal amount of

donated material and volunteer labor.

05/12/15

EXAMPLES TO CONSIDERTiny House Models :• Emerald Village – Eugene (not yet built)• Second phase to bridge gap between transitional housing and

traditional low-income housing.• 15 units• Rent would be $250 per month.• 50 hours of volunteer time would be required to live in one of the

houses.• 140-250 square foot houses each with a kitchen and bathroom.• Shared gathering and gardening areas.

05/12/15

EXAMPLES TO CONSIDERTiny House Models :• Dignity Village - Portland• 1/3 acre site – 60 residents• Shared shower area, office with a computer, and basketball

hoop.• Residents govern themselves, do not allow drugs, alcohol, or

violence.• Contract with City for the site.

05/12/15

EXAMPLES TO CONSIDERConestoga Huts – Lane County, Oregon:• Some included in Opportunity Village in

Eugene.• Other scattered throughout Lane County

on church grounds.• Minimum hut size are 60 square feet.

This 6x10 shelter can be build for between $250 and $500 depending on utilization of re-used or donated material.

• Better than a quality tent because it is insulated and has a lockable space.

• Minimized the cost, skill and labor required by a more conventional, four-walled structure.

05/12/15

EXAMPLES TO CONSIDER

Community Engagement Program (CEP) – Central City Concern:• Harm reduction program designed to deliver comprehensive

services for chronically homeless individuals who have mental health issues, addictive disorders, and/or physical health problems.• Team approach – develop individualized plan that includes goal

of both permanent housing and treatment• In Portland, CEP involvement saves the community

approximately $16,000 per person per year in avoided incarceration, emergency, and uncompensated health care costs.

05/12/15

EXAMPLES TO CONSIDERCity of Newberg – Affordable Housing Action Plan• Newberg Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee established by Newberg City

Council• Charge was to “…identify and recommend tools appropriate for the Newberg

community that are intended to encourage the development of housing for working families.”• Strategies:• Amend Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies• Retain the existing supply of affordable housing• Insure an adequate land supply for affordable housing• Change development code standards• Amend the development fee schedule• Develop and support public and private programs• Strengthen economic development efforts

Data taken from City of Newberg Affordable Housing Action Plan.

05/12/15

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS1. The long term goal is to build a stronger community with more

productive, self sufficient, and contributing members.2. It is important for intervention to avoid homelessness when

possible. Less expensive to keep housed than re-house.3. If not possible to avoid homelessness, rapid re-housing is

important to keep family as stable as possible.4. Need to make sure to include longer term permanent housing

solutions including supportive services for those in need of wraparound services.

5. Will need community coordination and cooperation in meeting the needs of our local homeless and at-risk populations.

05/12/15

TOP THREE REASONS TO GET INVOLVED

1. Fiscal responsibility2. Community safety3. Humanitarian values & compassion

05/12/15

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR CITY CONSIDERATION (SEE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TOOLKIT HANDOUT)

• Revise current zoning ordinances to allow for “tent city” and mini homes.• Limited tax exemption program for private developers developing

affordable housing.• Waive/reduce system development charges, and other permits and fees

for affordable housing units.• Partner with local agencies in obtaining affordable housing grants.• Provide more land zoned R-4.• Make public lands available for eligible projects (such as under-utilized

properties, vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent private properties).• Provide density bonus – variances in additional height, increase in

number of units if units stay affordable long-term.• Expedited permit processing – fast track process.• Allow for reduced off-street parking, landscaping, and other “amenity”

requirements for affordable housing.• Require inclusionary zoning locally once state law allows for it.

05/12/15

NO COST & AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN MCMINNVILLE

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?• Look at things that can be done quickly at no cost such as

relooking at capacity of YCGRM and appropriate zoning for those currently homeless (safe place for those sleeping in front of churches to go).

• Form housing task force to include city staff, housing developers, affordable housing organizations, and community members.

• Possible field trip to look at some other local options/best practices.

• Develop potential solutions/recommendations.• Set date for City Council to revisit potential

solutions/recommendations from task force.

05/12/15

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME -

ANY QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to contact Elise Hui at ehui@hayc.org or 503.883.4318

05/12/15