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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland contractor faces federal bribery charge ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Making ancient stories new again ... Ashland contractor faces federal bribery charge ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Making ancient stories new again ... OUR VIEW Our View: Hope Village an ideal use for city-owned property Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 24, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 24, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News A vacant, city-owned lot just north of downtown could be the ideal spot to test the a tiny-house village for a fortunate sliver of Medford's homeless population. The City Council should give the idea serious consideration. Rogue Retreat, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing homelessness, has teamed up with the Jackson County Homeless Task Force to launch Hope Village, originally envisioned as a village of tiny houses on private property that Rogue Retreat would purchase. But the city-owned property at Third and Front streets is a better option, especially for what is intended to be a pilot project. Similar projects have been done in other communities, but it would be a first for this area, and involves a number of unknowns. It might be that a location farther from downtown would be preferable. If the project works very well, a larger parcel might be needed for an expanded village. If the effort doesn't go well and needs to be canceled or suspended temporarily, organizers wouldn't be faced with owning a piece of property they couldn't use. The Third Street site has a number of advantages. It's in a commercial zone, with no residences immediately adjacent. It's already surrounded by chain link fencing for security, and Rogue Retreat director Pastor Chad McComas says he would add privacy slats to the fence as a visual buffer. Neighboring property owners raised objections when a feeding station was proposed there, but the number of residents in a 15-unit village would be far smaller than the crowds that would be attracted to free meals. Hope Village could be the start of a serious attempt to address homelessness here, and it deserves to be encouraged. If it follows the model of similar projects elsewhere, residents would be charged a nominal rent, a residents' council would be established to mediate disputes and organize the use of communal cooking and shower facilities. Drug and alcohol use on the premises would be prohibited, and repeated violations of the rules would result in eviction. If residents were helped and encouraged to find employment and eventually their own housing, the project could be a transitional step for those inclined to better their situations. If residence also involved some required work on the premises — litter collection, cleaning and maintenance of the communal facilities — that would contribute to a sense of ownership that could also benefit residents. City council members reportedly were receptive to the idea of a pilot project. When they are presented with a detailed plan, they should give it every opportunity to succeed. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 24, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501