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M/CLEAR Temp: 70 °F Wind: N at 4 mph Friday, August 2, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend July 30, 2002 Medford council might establish a nine-member Housing Commission The Medford City Council Thursday is expected to establish a nine-member Housing Commission to advise the council about housing-related issues. The commission may work toward creating an electronic database with housing information, pulling together housing studies and market analyses, said Louise Dix, the city’s neighborhood resource coordinator. "There are a lot of different studies out there, such as Medford Urban Renewal Agency’s housing study," Dix said. "It needs to be pulled together, analyzed so we can see where the gaps are in housing. Intuitively, we know we have problems, but where are they exactly? The commission will provide information and make recommendations to the council on (a) direction the city could go." The commission will not have the authority to set policy or spend money. The Housing Commission also will search for federal or state funds and study successful housing programs in other cities, Dix said. "In some ways we’re missing the boat," Dix said. "There are a lot of programs we’re not accessing, a lot of funding." Commissioners may explore a variety of housing types, including housing for a special needs population such as seniors and disabled people, row houses or preserving older neighborhoods. Another issue the commission may consider is whether the city should use about $240,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for city-sponsored projects instead of passing the grants on to nonprofit agencies. Currently, Jackson County Housing Authority and Rogue Valley Community Development Corp. use the grant money to rehabilitate rentals, selling them to low-income buyers, Dix said. "We need to look at the city’s best interest — should we continue the way we’ve been doing things or look at other ways of doing it?" Dix said. The commission also will discuss ways to encourage home ownership in west Medford, where 60 percent of people rent, compared to 42 percent citywide. The council is expected to approve the commission during its noon meeting Thursday in the City Council chambers, 411 W. 8th St. Anyone interested in serving on the Housing Commission may apply in the city manager’s office. Applicants must be approved by the City Council. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S