Document text
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 Alan DeBoer to seek GOP nomination for Bates' seat ... Four generations of Rogue Valley women to tackle 60-mile walk to fight breast cancer ... Since You Asked: Fire response time was faster than reported ... Alan DeBoer to seek GOP nomination for Bates' seat ... Four generations of Rogue Valley women to tackle 60-mile walk to fight breast cancer ... Since You Asked: Fire response time was faster than reported ... TINY HOUSE PROJECT Hope Village supporters get new hope City Council considering a property on Columbus Avenue Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 5:46 PM Updated Aug 18, 2016 at 6:53 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 5:46 PM Updated Aug 18, 2016 at 6:53 PM » Social News Almost 100 supporters of a tiny house project for the homeless received some hope Thursday when the Medford City Council agreed to look at another property for the controversial project. The council is looking at locating the tiny house community, known as Hope Village, on a city-owned service yard at 821 N. Columbus Ave., at McAndrews Road. "We have to do something," Medford resident William Manning said. "The weather will change, and people will suffer." The council had considered using a property on Third and Front streets for 14 tiny houses but backed away after surrounding business owners mounted opposition. "Third and Front streets are a bridge too far," Councilor Daniel Bunn said. Bunn and Councilor Mike Zarosinski worked on a compromise solution to look at the service center property and to change Medford's code in order to create a process to address these sorts of proposals in the future. The council also will look at selling the Third and Front property and potentially using the proceeds to help prepare the service center lot for Hope Village. Precision Electric has offered to buy the Third and Front property, and the council planned to discuss the proposal during an executive session Thursday night. Rogue Retreat, a nonprofit dedicated to homeless issues, was preparing to build Hope Village, with a dozen or more tiny houses, at Third and Front. After receiving complaints, the council decided to look at more than 190 properties it owns in the city in hopes of finding a location that wouldn't generate opposition from neighbors. At the noon council meeting, local agencies that deal with the homeless threw their support behind the concept of a tiny house village. Rogue Retreat has raised $72,000 for the project so far. Heidi Hill with Jackson Care Connect, which provides a broad range of health services to local residents, said one of her homeless clients last year needed $43,000 in medical treatment. The client moved into housing, and there were no more health care costs for six months, she said. Hill said current efforts to deal with homelessness haven't worked. "Greenway sweeps only displace the homeless," she said. Many audience members Thursday wore "Yes to Hope" stickers on their shirts to show their support for the proposed village. "It's really hard to live on the streets and get arrested by the police," said Jacque Martinez, who identified herself as a homeless person. "You are honesty trying to survive." Heritage Motors owner Steve Curry, who previously objected to placing the tiny houses next to his business, spoke immediately after Martinez. "I care for the young lady who just spoke," he said. Curry said his family has donated about $400,000 over the years to various local charities. "I, too, am in support of Hope Village," he said. "We are seeking a solution that is going to be the correct one." Kenard Barral, a former homeless person, said housing makes a big difference in the lives of the homeless and helps them on the path to recovery. "This would give the homeless a chance," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 5:46 PM Updated Aug 18, 2016 at 6:53 PM » 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