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A peek at a scarce asset Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Paul Robinson looks into the window of an OnTrack apartment during Saturday�s tour of Medford by the new Affordable Housing Coalition. Its members hope to work with developers, contractors and civic leaders to solve a growing housing shortage in Medford. Tour educates members of a new coalition about Medford�s lack of affordable housing By Damian Mann A new coalition of Medford leaders wrestled with potential strategies to resolve a growing affordable housing shortage Saturday during a fact-finding tour of the city. Six of the 13-member Affordable Housing Coalition had varying opinions about their role in finding solutions to the increasing cost of housing in a county whose income levels are about 10 percent below the state average. The coalition wants to work with developers, contractors and civic leaders to create more affordable housing, either in new developments or by remodeling older buildings. John Michaels, who is also on the Medford City Council, said he saw the organization�s role primarily as eliminating blight, particularly in some neighborhoods in west Medford. He showed members a 12-block area sandwiched between North Riverside Avenue and Central Avenue that he said is ripe for revitalization. "This is one of our more run-down areas," he said, estimating that 30 to 40 percent of the units should be torn down. Michaels suggested that the coalition find ways to help renters purchase run-down homes throughout Medford. "That way, they will take more pride in their neighborhoods," he said. But coalition chairwoman Kristi Tanner countered, "How many people want to own their own houses?" She said affordable housing should address the needs of seniors, the homeless, the disabled and those with low incomes. Tanner said some single-parent families in Medford survive on incomes of $10,000 to $12,000 a year. "Fifty to 60 percent of their income goes to rent, so they cut back on their food," she said. Tanner said a housing unit should require, at the most, 30 percent of a family�s income. Coalition members also found the definition of "affordable housing" open to wide interpretation. On the east side, they saw relatively affluent houses where a converted garage or guest house generated rental income. On the west side, they saw community organizations that have created low-income houses, including some of the 814 units created by the Housing Authority of Jackson County. On Oakview Circle, a small development has what city planners call "accessory dwelling units," which feature separate access to one part of the building and a separate garage. The city allows up to 900 square feet for these separate units if there is sufficient space on the lot. There are also "sweat equity" houses where homeowners help build a unit to offset the purchase price. "A lot of people would be surprised at the opportunities out there to own a house," said Michaels. Some residents live in run-down dwellings that might be considered "affordable," but the coalition wants to tackle the problem of providing safe, warm and clean housing. The coalition is also debating whether it should remain under the auspices of the City Council, and whether it should expand its efforts to become a countywide organization. "We shouldn�t be controlled by any vested interests," said Tanner, past president of Habitat for Humanity. She said the organization needs to retain a sense of independence from political groups. Tanner said affordable housing is needed now as an insurance policy against social unrest that could develop later, when much of the community is priced out of the market. A report released by the city shows the 1999 rental vacancy rate in Medford was a mere 2.7 percent. The median rent was $453 for a two-bedroom unit, a 38 percent increase since 1990. Creating enough affordable housing "is going to take a long time to resolve," said coalition member Paul Robinson, pastor at Medford Congregational church. When he was involved in a similar organization in Flagstaff, Ariz., it took more than two years before any action was taken, Robinson said. But Tanner hopes that progress in affordable housing will be seen within a year. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.