HomeMy WebLinkAbouthousing-elementHousing Element
Closed Oct 31, 2016 · Discussion · 5 Participants · 5 Topics · 13 Answers · 1 Replies · 1 Votes
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PARTICIPANTS TOPICS ANSWERS REPLIES VOTES
SUMMARY OF TOPICS
HOUSING GOALS 8 Answers · 0 Replies
Copy and paste the goal that stands out to you the most. Why is it important
to you?
Barbara Morey · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Aug 16, 2016 1:06 pm
0 Votes
1. Encourage and support efforts to provide an adequate supply of housing for County
residents of all income groups.
"Permit data for 2014 indicates that the market appears to have recovered to
pre-recession levels,...albeit with no readily apparent recovery to date for multi-family
housing.... Multi-family development represents the most cost effective means of
housing delivery in terms of unit affordability."
" Housing construction should be expected to more clearly out-pace population
growth-especially to the extent that average household size continues to decline and/or
seasonal units without permanent residents increase as a proportion of the total housing
inventory." (PT Housing Element: Inventory and Needs Assessment Dec 31, 2015 p 6,7)
In short, the supply of housing units has not kept pace with the demand for such
housing. This creates an increase in cost of rentals which, coupled with the lack of jobs
paying living wages in Jefferson County, places existing housing out of the reach of the
local workforce and those living below poverty. Even when subsidies (Section8 or
VASH-Vets) are available, there are no housing units that are open for rent. "There are
only 32 units for every 100 households at 50% or less of the AMI in Jefferson , Clallam,
and Kitsap Counties."( p10) As a result, even though we have 147 Section 8 Housing
Vouchers per year in Jefferson County, many households have to go out of county to use
their vouchers. Similarly, Veterans who had VASH vouchers could find housing only in
Forks or out of the county.
In short, there is a lack of housing units, a virtual 0% vacancy rate for existing housing,
and a failure to create more housing. This allows housing providers to increase their
rental rates well beyond the affordable 30% of income for 59% of renters in Jefferson
County. Some professional staff recently hired by agencies in Jefferson County refused
the position because they could not obtain local housing at any cost. Those who
accepted, often have to commute from Clallam County to PT for their work.
"Also noted will be the need to maintain affordability of the existing inventory--as
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Housing Element
Closed Oct 31, 2016 · Discussion · 5 Participants · 5 Topics · 13 Answers · 1 Replies · 1 Votes
financing and other program stipulations that required affordability...reach expiration.
Much of our HUD funded multi-family housing is reaching the end of the term for which
they must provide subsidized/low income housing within their units. These apartments
can now be rented at the (inflated) market value rather than being held to an
affordability standard.
We have spent 20 years studying and analyzing and inventorying housing and have
concluded that we don't have enough housing. Period. We especially don't have enough
affordable housing for our workforce and for subsidized housing. It's time to set a goal of
creating this housing as rapidly as possible. In the meantime, it is essential that we
permit interim housing such as tiny houses, an increased number of ADU's that are
limited to providing affordable housing, and an immediate adoption of zoning and
permits that include such things as composting toilets, an ability to live in an RV on
private property, and the re-purposing of unused public and private property for creating
additional housing units-both short term and permanently in our community. For
example, the closed 12 acre county campground next to the TriArea Center originally
had 30 designated campsites. It has been closed since 2009 and has been designated in
2014 for "repurposing." With water and electricity to the picnic shelter on site and
existing toilet waste vaults, even 5 acres of this land could easily be used for 10-15
portable interim tiny housing units, similar in size and function to an RV, (with
composting toilets to be emptied into the vaults and pumped out on a regular basis) for
3-10 years until the county defines it's plans for further governmental use. It is also
prime property for a community garden and is strategically placed on a bus stop and
adjacent to services such as the food bank, WIC, senior meals, AA and medical clinics.
Barbara Morey · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Aug 17, 2016 9:41 am
0 Votes
As you study ways to create additional affordable housing in PT and Jefferson County, I
recommend that you consider tiny houses (150-400 sq ft each) as an interim response to
creating housing rapidly to meet the current crisis in lack of available and affordable
housing. Such housing could be used for "Permanent Supportive Housing" by agnecies
such as JBH and for affordable workforce and low income housing for single individuals or
couples, our largest housing population demographic at this time.
Specifically, I would refer you to a study completed in OR and reported at:
HUD Paper on Tiny house villages as affordable housing:
http://media.wix.com/ugd/bd125b_211036cceef7432aa1e7108f934db279.pdf
"To learn how tiny home villages in Eugene and Springfield—the largest cities in Lane
County, Oregon—could be used to increase affordable housing stock, we completed a
comprehensive literature review and carried out a set of expert interviews.
"We then evaluated tiny homes by analyzing the feasibility of building tiny home
villages, costs and funding streams available.
"We also looked into how to measure the effectiveness of tiny home villages at
increasing affordable housing stock.
"In addition, we considered how HUD may be able to help fund tiny houses, if tiny homes
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Housing Element
Closed Oct 31, 2016 · Discussion · 5 Participants · 5 Topics · 13 Answers · 1 Replies · 1 Votes
will be utilized, and if tiny homes will make an impact on affordable housing stock.
"We found that tiny home villages are a good solution to increase affordable housing
stock in Lane County, Oregon. It is also projected that tiny home villages will create
communal support, benefiting residents’ likelihood of long-term housing, employment,
and contentment."
"Given the stringency of HUD funding, permanent models as opposed to transitional
funding are most likely to qualify for streams of funding.
"Recommendations:
Tiny homes are a feasible, cost effective option to house Lane County’s homeless and
marginally housed populations."
***
Barbara Morey · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Aug 17, 2016 9:46 am
0 Votes
If a local government wanted to allow permanent occupancy of tiny homes (<400sq ft) in
residential zones as another housing option, it would be relatively straightforward
(although not necessarily easy) to address the following issues within a community’s
zoning code:
• Zones where they would be allowed;
• Standards to be applied to tiny home structures (including composting toilets,
solar energy, and construction standards)
• Minimum dwelling unit size/occupancy/density; and
• Eligibility of tiny homes to be Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).
Barbara Morey · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Aug 17, 2016 1:09 pm
0 Votes
4. Encourage the development of housing for people with special needs.
Jefferson Behavioral Health (JBH), Safe Harbor and the DSHS HEN programs all attempt
to provide supported housing for people with disabilities, mental health issues, chronic
homelessness, addictions or families experiencing DV. While there are a small number of
supported housing units via NW Passage, the Haines St. Cottages, Dove House and the
COAST Emergency Winter Shelter, etc. we have limited housing units compared to the
need. For example, during this past fiscal year Dove house had to turn away 191
households, including families with children. Please note that on p. 10 of the Dec 31,
2015 PT Housing Element report, the section on Emergency and Transitional Housing
Inventory fails to include the January, 2015 Point In Time (PIT) Count of the homeless,
which totaled 344 individuals, including adults, children, Vets, "couch surfacing" youth,
and seniors-- 3 times the reported "average of 111 individuals from 2012-14," (during
which years comprehensive counts were not obtained.) Jefferson County also has the 3rd
highest number of homeless veterans in the state behind King and Thurston Counties.
We housed a record 110 single individuals at the winter emergency shelter operated by
COAST this past winter.
We have a severe need for supported housing for these populations that could be
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Housing Element
Closed Oct 31, 2016 · Discussion · 5 Participants · 5 Topics · 13 Answers · 1 Replies · 1 Votes
remediated in several ways. 1. We need a full time 24/7 shelter with daily support
services from Jefferson Behavioral Health, Safe Harbor, AA, DD and DSHS programs, etc..
These should include resident "life skills coaches"/social workers (as opposed to
"caregivers" who do the work for them) to educate participants and assist them in
obtaining appropriate services. It should also include some degree of "self governance"
by those who use the shelter (as happens in Quixote Village in Olympia) with elected
leadership and membership rules. While a nonprofit board called Panza funds and guides
the project, the residents of Quixote Village are expected to pay 30 percent of their
income toward their housing. 15 of the 29 individuals reported a sum of zero. However,
the average annual income for the rest of the residents — including wages, pensions and
Social Security payments — is about $3,100 each. I think that the former Union Bank
building on Sims Way could be converted to such a year round shelter. It is near DSHS,
OlyCap, JBH, Goodwill, QFC and is on a bus stop. It stands vacant right now, but is a
large, solid building that, with the addition of a commercial kitchen and showers, could
be used for a year round shelter. The various offices could be used as dorm style
bedrooms and the shelter could be operated by a non-profit agency such as OlyCap with
a full-time live-in manager/social worker. As a permanent supported shelter it could be
funded via HUD Home Funding as a locally defined SRO (Capital). HUD CDBG Funding
provides Capital funding for infrastructure upgrades and modification of community
buildings to meet HUD Quality Standards (HQS). Further, the large rear parking lot could
be designated as a "Safe Park" lot for people living in their vehicles or RV's, who could
also have access to the social workers and counseling programs offered at the shelter.
2. The GMA requires the housing element to identify sufficient land/housing units for
Living Quarters that serve as group housing for people who are disabled, mentally ill, or
in recovery from addictions, especially those who may not have an income sufficient to
obtain housing without financial or social support assistance. Independent living skills
and life skills coaching (again, as opposed to "caregiving") are necessary elements of
such permanent supported housing. Section 8 (housing subsidy)vouchers can be taken
out of the general pool and "project based" for a permanent supportive housing project
by the local housing authority. This housing must meet HUD HQS. Existing codes allow 5
unrelated adults to live together in a single family dwelling. This code could be re-written
to allow "2 unrelated adults per bedroom" in a single family home designated for Group
Housing for this population. I propose that, for the long term, a land trust include the
purchase of large (4-5 bedroom) single family homes that can be used for supported
group housing for clients of JBH, Safe Harbor, Housing and Essential Needs (DSHS) and
Vocational Rehab (DVR). Each home could have 24 hour staffing to assist residents with
development of independent living skills such as: conflict resolution, grocery shopping
and meal preparation, house keeping and laundry, personal hygiene, budgeting and
money management, basic household repairs and maintenance, job search and
employment skills, and other basic daily living skills. The staffing could be provided
jointly by the various non-profit agencies and DVR through their program budgets. The
cost of operation can be largely paid for through rent by Section 8 vouchers for residents
and by support services such as SNAP, DVR and HEN. For the short term and as an
immediate response, it may be possible to lease some of the large houses or purchase
them through Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. The LIHTC program provides a
tax credit over 10 years to a private investor (or homeowner/landlord) in a low income
housing development. The County could also designate such group homes as non-profit
properties and reduce or eliminate property taxes on such land and houses, even if they
are privately owned and leased to a non-profit by the property owner, with standards
similar to those established for low income and seniors.
3. We need more specialized affordable housing for families such as those that Dove
House (DV) was unable to serve this past year. That's 191 households! Or for the
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Housing Element
Closed Oct 31, 2016 · Discussion · 5 Participants · 5 Topics · 13 Answers · 1 Replies · 1 Votes
Veterans who have VASH vouchers but can't find homes. Or for the disabled who need
accessible housing. Or for the chronically homeless with all of their problems. Again,
multi-family housing units appear to be the most cost effective means of creating
additional affordable housing.
But it must be noted that we must maintain long term affordability of the housing
inventory--as existing financing and other program stipulations that required
affordability...reach expiration. Much of our HUD funded multi-family housing is reaching
the end of the term for which they must provide subsidized/low income housing within
their units. These apartments will then be rented at the (inflated) market value rather
than being held to an affordability standard. However, new housing units should have a
permanent requirement to provide a percentage of their units at "affordable housing
rate" as established for Section 8.
It is time to examine both long term and immediate/interim responses to our housing
crisis.
Katy McCoy · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Sep 24, 2016 12:00 pm
0 Votes
The first goal is indisputable. We absolutely need to address the housing needs of
everyone, but the needs of those with fewer means is most pressing since those with
money can usually find their own solutions. The last thing we want to do is loose our
historic families, our youth, our farmers, our artisans/trades people, the service sector
and so many others that give the peninsula its heart and soul.
The second goal inspires me most. Our housing needs are diverse and it is essential that
we create a variety of innovative solutions specific to each need. An example is the low
income housing that Jefferson Land Trust is hoping to build for farmworkers on their
Chimacum Commons property where aspiring farmers can live while honing their farm
skills on adjacent incubator farm plots. This housing is specific and excludes many, but
that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. Equally creative ideas should be applied to other
housing needs.
Philip Vogelzang · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Sep 25, 2016 4:32 pm
0 Votes
I'd like to focus on #2 - "Promote a variety of affordable housing choices throughout the
County through the use of innovative land use practices, development standards, design
techniques, and building permit requirements."
And specifically the use of the word "innovative". The costs of treating septic outflows
from homes and businesses that are not "on the grid" (nearly everyone who doesn't live
in Port Townsend) are very high. I'd like to see the county "innovate" by funding and
supporting pilot projects that help figure out new ways to treat septic outflows that cost
less and do a better job. I'm thinking specifically of the JLTs Chimacum Commons
project, to include housing for farmworkers. What a perfect laboratory for trying out new
ways of living lightly on the land and growing healthy locally produced food.
Scott Freeman · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Oct 04, 2016 3:18 pm
0 Votes
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Housing Element
Closed Oct 31, 2016 · Discussion · 5 Participants · 5 Topics · 13 Answers · 1 Replies · 1 Votes
"... housing for County residents of all income groups." Increasing density in selected
areas and supporting solutions like shared septic systems--operated by the
County?--could be a promising approach to lower land and development costs, especially
for younger and/or lower income residents.
Scott Freeman · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Oct 04, 2016 3:18 pm
0 Votes
"... housing for County residents of all income groups." Increasing density in selected
areas and supporting solutions like shared septic systems--operated by the
County?--could be a promising approach to lower land and development costs, especially
for younger and/or lower income residents.
HOW MIGHT WE? 0 Answers · 0 Replies
How might we remove barriers to obtaining safe housing?
AFFORDABLE HOUSING INFLUENCES? 3 Answers · 1 Replies
What do you think influences housing affordability?
David Neuenschwander · Citizen · (Postal Code: 98376) · Aug 05, 2016 8:07 am
2 Votes
Edward Glaeser (Harvard University Economist) wrote in the Atlantic Monthly in 2011:
“An increase in the supply of houses, or anything else, almost always drives prices down,
while restricting the supply of real estate keeps prices high.”
"The relationship between housing supply and affordability isn’t just a matter of
economic theory. A great deal of evidence links the supply of space with the cost of real
estate. Simply put, the places that are expensive don’t build a lot, and the places that
build a lot aren’t expensive."
"The cost of restricting development is that protected areas have become more
expensive and more exclusive. In 2000, people who lived in historic districts in
Manhattan were on average almost 74 percent wealthier than people who lived outside
such areas. Almost three-quarters of the adults living in historic districts had college
degrees, as opposed to 54 percent outside them. People living in historic districts were
20 percent more likely to be white. The well-heeled historic-district denizens who
persuade the landmarks commission to prohibit taller structures have become the urban
equivalent of those restrictive suburbanites who want to mandate five-acre lot sizes to
keep out the riffraff."
My own thinking is that Prof Glaeser's comments have a direct bearing on housing
affordability in Jefferson County. The takeaway is that Jefferson County's highly restrictive
land use policies and prickly building policies contribute immensely to the high price of
housing.
Instead of another government program (with its attendant heavy costs), the County
could go far to alleviate housing shortages by writing far less restrictive land use policies
and put in place procedures to encourage (and not discourage) building.
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Housing Element
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Response:
Barbara Morey · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Aug 10, 2016 5:34 pm
The lack of adequate housing units has increased the costs of rentals so that 51% of
renters in PT and 59% in the County have insecure housing and are paying more than
30% of their income for housing. (2009-13 5-Year Community Survey) compared to
19% in 2000. In addition, Jefferson Co has the 3rd highest numbers of homeless
veterans in the state and we can't find housing units for them in our county even when
funding is available. Section 8 (subsidized housing) has a 5 year waiting list because
there are no housing units available. As a result, JeffCo counted 344 homeless
individuals in 2015 including families, veterans, couch surfing young adults, and
individuals with disabilities, mental illness or chemical dependency issues, who should
be in permanent supported housing. Dove House,Domestic Violence shelter, had to
turn away over 191 households (not just individuals)this past year; the Emergency
Winter Shelter served a record 110 individuals this year. A community-supported tent
village supported up to 10 campers at a time this spring compared with 6 last year.
There are not enough housing units. And I think you are right, "Jefferson County's
highly restrictive land use policies and prickly building policies contribute immensely to
the high price of housing.
Instead of another government program (with its attendant heavy costs), the County
could go far to alleviate housing shortages by writing far less restrictive land use
policies and put in place procedures to encourage (and not discourage) building."
Barbara Morey · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Aug 10, 2016 6:36 pm
0 Votes
Jefferson County's highly restrictive land use policies and inflexible building policies
contribute immensely to the lack of housing units and affordable housing. In Olympia
WA, Portland OR, Eugene OR, Madison WI, and Austin TX non-profit organizations have
built entire villages of 9-30 tiny homes, (200-400sq ft) to provide affordable housing for
low income and homeless residents and as a rapid response to homelessness.
If our local government wanted to allow permanent occupancy of tiny homes ( as
described above, even though it has been built to best practice standards (from the Tiny
House Builders Association) with a half bath and kitchenette, insulation, egress windows,
and adequate floor space and wall height.
CHANGES? 2 Answers · 0 Replies
What would you like to see changed or added to the housing element
goals? Why?
Barbara Morey · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Aug 19, 2016 12:33 pm
0 Votes
Formally adopt a "Housing First" approach to create affordable housing for special needs
populations. See: http://nationswell.com/utah-plan-for-reducing-future-homeless/ for
Utah's Comprehensive Plan that was initiated in Salt Lake City and expanded to the
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Housing Element
Closed Oct 31, 2016 · Discussion · 5 Participants · 5 Topics · 13 Answers · 1 Replies · 1 Votes
whole state when it was proven to be highly cost effective and feasible.
The 5 step plan includes: 1. Construct more housing. 2. Ramp up job placement. 3. Use
service agency data bases to prioritize the most vulnerable members of the community
for housing rather than a "first come first served" approach. 4. Use coordinated services
across agencies to identify and assist at-risk groups before they hit the streets. 5.
Rethink homelessness entirely.
This plan was first implemented in Salt Lake City in 2005 and has been recognized
nationally as a highly effective measure to create and maintain affordable housing for
the most vulnerable populations who are at risk of homelessness because of larger social
problems such as inadequate mental healthcare, domestic violence or a scarcity of
affordable housing for workers and families. It has now been adopted as a state-wide
plan, but was initially adopted and proven to be effective in Salt Lake City as an effort to
house homeless Veterans.
Why? Because it has been proven to work for the very populations that we have
identified as lacking affordable housing in PT and JeffCo. Rentals are reported at near
100% occupancy. We have only 32 housing units for every 100 of the 137 households
holding Section 8 vouchers (those households earning 50% or less of the AMI.) 52-59%
of our households are "housing cost burdened" (I.E.spend more than 30% of their income
for housing) and are at risk of losing their housing.This figure was only 19% in 2000. [PT
Housing Element p 26] We identified 344 homeless individuals in Jefferson County during
the Point In Time count in 2015 including adults, children, seniors, veterans and the
chronically homeless. This is 3 times the the 111 average number counted in 2012-2014
according to OlyCap. JeffCo has the 3rd highest number of homeless veterans in the
state behind King and Thurston Counties! [OlyCap]. The COAST Emergency Shelter
housed 110 individuals this past winter. Dove House had to turn away 191 households
during this past fiscal year.
"Special Needs Housing" includes the homeless or sheltered populations,as well as
government assisted housing such as Section 8 (which has a 5 year waiting list);
HUD-based housing for low income families, (with a current 6 month to 1 year waiting
list) [per OlyCap] much of which is coming to the end of the term for which the landlord
must provide below-market units and which will soon be rented only at (inflated) market
rate; manufactured homes, multi-family housing, group homes and foster homes. In
addition, permanent supported housing for disabled and mentally ill individuals or those
recovering from addictions is extremely limited.
We have done the studying and have the data. It is time to proceed. The plans from
1996 to the current date have not been effective in meeting the housing needs of our
population, both in terms of numbers of units and in affordability. Continuation of
existing programs coupled with dedication of additional resources will be required to
serve both a larger and older population that is increasingly housing cost burdened. Lack
of suitable employment with living wage jobs may push more residents in our highly
educated community to lower wage jobs or outside the workforce altogether.
Successfully addressing these issues will most likely be dependent on increased
coordination and partnering between public/non-profit partners together with incentives
that draw in private sector and donated resources. But, as Utah has demonstrated, the
end result of Housing First actually reduced the cost of providing both services and
housing substantially-- from $20,000 annually per person to $8,000-- including the cost
of a case manager when needed. Multi-family housing, at the cost of $37,000/unit, has
proven to be the most cost effective development of housing units, but will take from
3-10 years to complete. As a result, we also need to explore interim/rapid rehousing
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Housing Element
Closed Oct 31, 2016 · Discussion · 5 Participants · 5 Topics · 13 Answers · 1 Replies · 1 Votes
possibilities. (See following comment.)
Barbara Morey · Citizen · (Postal Code: unknown) · Aug 19, 2016 2:48 pm
0 Votes
Adopt a model for Interim Housing: Tiny Houses (200-400 sq ft) to address affordable
housing and housing for special needs populations for the next 10 years while more
affordable housing is being developed.
The tiny house movement in the US generally refers to an environmentally friendly effort
to reduce their carbon footprint. Villages of tiny homes have also been adopted for
developing permanent supported housing for homeless people in locations such as the
Quixote Village in Olympia WA, in Portland and Eugene OR, in Austin TX and in Madison
WI.
The idea may sound idealistic, but tiny-home villages, governed and operated at least in
part by the villagers themselves, (as in a Neighborhood Associations,) may be solutions
to alleviate homelessness and offer a modicum of safety, stability, warmth, autonomy,
and privacy while immediately addressing the issue of the lack of affordable housing for
vulnerable populations or those seeking a more "green" existence. They provide an
option for housing costs below the lowest rungs of market rent, and in line with the
low-income units, such as those subsidized by the Section 8 program.
Tiny houses (150-400 sq ft) may be "Green Pod Houses," converted freight cars, factory
built modular units or built by volunteers for a non-profit organization. Tiny homes
generally cost between $8,000 and $25,000 to build, depending on how and where they
are constructed.
To serve as interim housing or permanent supported housing, Community Frameworks of
Bremerton, WA posits that a tiny house should:
1. Be large enough for a standard sized bed, chair table and some storage (76sq ft floor
space)
2. Be heated and insulated;
3. Have electricity to code for modular housing;
4. Have standard ceiling height (at least 6'6");
5. Have at least a half bath with toilet and a kitchenette; with full bathrooms and shared
cooking facilities nearby; and
6. Be sustainably built for long term (15 years) use whether the tenant stays for a short
or long term. http://communityframeworks.
org/ws-main/docs/FINAL%20Tiny%20Homes%20White%20Paper%20March%202015.pdf
In addition, the Tiny House Association recommends:
7. An egress window on the wall opposite the entry door;
8. Adequate egress from a loft bedroom as defined in WHC.
9. Composting toilet; portable water basin and grey water disposal unit in the bathroom.
10: Solar/Wind Energy
11. LED lighting;
12. Compact kitchenette with refrigerator, 2 burner electric stove, sink, potable water
cooler and portable grey water disposal;
13. Radiator-style heater with varying wattage;
14. Solar light tunnels and passive solar design;
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15. That gas/propane NOT be used unless fully vented.
16. A Commons Building for gatherings, laundry, showers and a commercial kitchen;
Why villages/clusters of tiny homes?
First, they can be built in as little as one month and are cost effective with costs ranging
from $8,000- $25,000.
Secondly, tiny houses can address the need for a better balance of housing inventory
for an increasing number of households of 1-2 people in JeffCo, which have become an
every-greater share of our local population and the need for more diverse housing
inventory to effectively serve the full range of local housing needs.
Third, "[Tiny homes] may be solutions that not only alleviate homelessness, but also
prevent it by creating more affordable housing. They provide an option below the lowest
rungs of market rents... and low-income units, such as those subsidized by the Section 8
program. People often have no options except for shelters...or the streets. Emergency
shelters afford no privacy and require people to leave between early morning and late
afternoon. have been proven to be effective in housing the homeless and in creating
housing to fill the gap between the streets or shelters and permanent supported
housing, supporting the Housing First concept that the first way to address the problems
of homelessness and lack of affordable housing is by placing people in housing. Once
they have a stable and secure roof over their heads, even the chronically homeless can
begin to deal with the problems that contribute to their homelessness."
Fourth, Jefferson County has been severely affected by job loss and still has not
recovered to pre-recession levels, raising issues of declining affordability to a larger
segment of the community's low and moderate income population. Clusters of tiny
homes create a sense of neighborhood and "belonging" as opposed to isolation. Rather
than living in campers or vans or illegally parked RV's, working people can have a home
that is affordable and doesn't create a "housing cost burden." Having housing allows
individuals to obtain and hold employment, finish school, or find their niche in our
community.
Fifth, Jefferson County has become increasingly "green" in building homes and in the use
of alternative energy, grey water disposal systems, and environmentally friendly
structures on land with community gardens and shared support services. Villages of tiny
homes step up to the demand for "green living" in a cost effective and environmentally
friendly manner.
Finally, a recent study in Lane County, OR concluded:
"We found that tiny home villages are a good solution to increase affordable housing
stock in
Lane County, Oregon. It is also projected that tiny home villages will create communal
support, benefitting residents’ likelihood of long-term housing, employment, and
contentment."
Their recommendation was: "Tiny homes are a feasible, cost effective option to house
Lane County’s homeless and marginally housed populations."
http://media.wix.com/ugd/bd125b_211036cceef7432aa1e7108f934db279.pdf
Housing First Works and when combined with villages of tiny houses, the concept has
proven to be a cost effective and efficient means of addressing both homelessness and
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Housing Element
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the lack of affordable housing.
HOW MIGHT WE? 0 Answers · 0 Replies
How might we implement any needed changes to the housing
element goals?
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