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Ex-leader of housing panel takes city to task Says Medford should consider renters, too By JESSICA SMITH Medford's city leaders are too short-sighted in their approach to filling the affordable-housing gap, says the former chairwoman of a now-defunct housing task force. "I realize they are only going to choose to fight this on a very limited basis that will not aid in solving the affordable housing issue," said Kristi Tanner, also a former Habitat for Humanity board president. Last year, when the Medford City Council created the Affordable Housing Coalition, it asked the task force to develop recommendations that would put more owners into houses in run-down neighborhoods. Tanner says that focus is too narrow, and doesn't address the housing needs of families who aren't ready to buy homes. Frustrated by the council's direction, Tanner resigned from the group in May. "Yes, home ownership is an important aspect, but it's not the only one," she said. "It's not going to meet the needs we have in Medford." But fixing up older homes and getting people to buy them is a good first step, said Councilman John Michaels. "One, it gives people a way to get into the marketplace. Two, it cleans up the neighborhoods," he said. "We don't have the wherewithal to address every aspect of affordable housing," Michaels added. "We can't take on everything." Mayor Lindsay Berryman agreed that the city should look beyond home ownership in blighted neighborhoods, but she said leaders must understand shelter needs in the community before they develop policies and programs aimed at mending shortages in the affordable housing market. ACCESS Inc., the Rogue Valley's community-action agency, prepared a comprehensive housing needs study in 1995, but the information already is outdated. "We know there are people who need better housing," said Patty Claeys, ACCESS director and a member of the housing task force. "We just don't know how many apartments we need, or how much money to put into home ownership. You need to know the mix." Meanwhile, the city has yet to publicly review recommendations from the housing task force. In a letter to the council, Tanner briefly outlined the coalition's suggestions: Reduce or waive development fees in affordable housing projects. Use Community Development Block Grant funds in affordable-housing projects and revitalization efforts in blighted areas. Develop a housing trust fund. Review city zoning policies to encourage developers to build affordable housing. It's unclear where the recommendations may lead. The council has yet to schedule a meeting to discuss the proposal. Though the city's task force no longer meets, Berryman said she and the council will consider establishing a permanent committee to address affordable housing needs. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.