Housing First
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Affordable housing is important to the economic vitality of communities. Certainly, it fulfills a basic human need for shelter, but it also contributes to the well being of both families and individuals. Decent, affordable housing reduces stress, toxins, and infectious disease, which leads to improvement in both physical and mental health.
For seniors, transitioning to retirement income while supporting a traditional mortgage or standard rental agreement often exceeds their revenue. Tragically, seniors are the fastest growing population affected by homelessness as well as the highest growth rate for bankruptcy. 21% of married Social Security recipients and 43% of single recipients aged 65+ depend on Social Security for 90% or more of their income. As a result, those living without an additional income may be forced to go without, or make difficult choices among basic needs such as nutritious foods, prescription medications or adequate heating or cooling. It is estimated that there are over 1,300 homeless veterans in Oregon on any given night, and many more who are at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks and dismal living conditions. Although these numbers have trended downward over the past decade, this still represents more than 10 percent of all homeless Oregonians. This means that those who have served in the military, men and women, are significantly more likely to be homeless than the general public. |
PROJECT GOALS:
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CURRENT CONSIDERED OPTIONS:
Shipping Container Housing
Working with Relevant Building, based in Oregon City who build prefab residential homes that include modern amenities with net zero energy options.
Shipping Container Housing
Working with Relevant Building, based in Oregon City who build prefab residential homes that include modern amenities with net zero energy options.
Monolithic Dome Housing
Working with South Industries, based in Texas, has been building Monolithic Domes all over the world. Domes are extremely durable and strong. Sprayed concrete is applied over a rebar structure build inside an inflatable frame. They are fire, water, and wind resistant, cost-effective and easily reproduced.
Working with South Industries, based in Texas, has been building Monolithic Domes all over the world. Domes are extremely durable and strong. Sprayed concrete is applied over a rebar structure build inside an inflatable frame. They are fire, water, and wind resistant, cost-effective and easily reproduced.
Green Flex Housing
Working with 20 Twenty SMI in Salem, who primarily builds Tiny Homes and Mobile Home Park Models. The current proposal is their GreenFLEX model. GreenFLEX models are a world first, combining the durability of concrete, and the super-insulation of modern EPS foam.
Working with 20 Twenty SMI in Salem, who primarily builds Tiny Homes and Mobile Home Park Models. The current proposal is their GreenFLEX model. GreenFLEX models are a world first, combining the durability of concrete, and the super-insulation of modern EPS foam.
The data:
The Elder Index is a measure of the income that older adults who are living in the community, without public or private assistance and not in institutions, need to meet their basic needs and age in place with dignity. In Oregon, older adults receive, on average, $1,403 in Social Security benefits each month.
The Elder Index reports the monthly cost of living for seniors as:
Marion County: Single, renters $1,756, home owners $1,757. Couples, renters $2,534, home owners $2,633.
Polk County: Single, renters $1,615, home owners $1,749. Couples, renters $2,492, home owners $2,626.
The Elder Index reports the monthly cost of living for seniors as:
Marion County: Single, renters $1,756, home owners $1,757. Couples, renters $2,534, home owners $2,633.
Polk County: Single, renters $1,615, home owners $1,749. Couples, renters $2,492, home owners $2,626.