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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 20, 2006 ‘Summit’ will examine link between economy and affordable housing By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune As house prices continue to soar in Jackson County, many low-income residents struggle to find an affordable place to live. An upcoming Southern Oregon Workforce Housing Summit will look at strategies to improve affordable housing and why it’s important for the local economy. The summit will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Red Lion Inn in Medford. A fee of $35 will be charged for the event. The Talent City Council joined the State Housing Alliance in January, hoping to create legislation that stimulates the growth of affordable housing. "It’s not a problem that Talent can deal with by itself," said Councilwoman Wendy Siporen. Advertisement She said Talent City Manager Betty Wheeler helped organize nonprofits and other government agencies to hold the summit. "I have to give Betty a lot of credit for getting it going," she said. Under current Oregon law, Talent is unable to establish special zoning for affordable housing areas. Siporen said Talent would like to change the law to allow a certain percentage of affordable housing in new developments. Siporen said the problem of affordable housing hurts not only families but businesses that aren’t able to attract employees. Local community service organizations have attempted to fill the affordable housing gap locally. OnTrack Inc., which specializes in drug treatment, has offered affordable housing since 1989 and plans to open a new complex this year. Sky Vista, a 48-unit complex under construction at the corner of Stewart Avenue and Orchard Home Drive, will serve those earning 30 to 50 percent of the median income, about $14,050 to $23,450 per year for a family of three. The Workforce Housing Summit will feature such speakers as Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler and Guy Tauer, a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department. Other speakers will include, among others, David Pearce Snyder, a consulting futurist, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who is tentatively scheduled to appear. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail �Summit� will examine link between economy and affordable housing ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement