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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 18, 2006 Housing cost ramifications put on table By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Local land-use laws are needed to solve the regional problem of affordable housing, legislators were told Wednesday. Participants in a hearing at Medford City Hall pleaded with the Oregon Legislature's interim revenue committee to relinquish Salem's control in favor of local tax initiatives and zoning regulations. "I'm really tired of Salem telling us what we can and can't vote in," said Christine Lachner, a Medford renter and member of the Jackson County Homeless Task Force. "Let us be able to decide if we want to reward developers." Tax and fee credits, waivers and exemptions were identified at February's Workforce Housing Summit in Medford as just a few strategies to achieve affordable housing. More than 200 business, government and community leaders also favored legalizing inclusionary zoning, which could mandate affordable housing components, a need that was reiterated Wednesday. "The tools that I've suggested are right now not in our palette," said Ashland Mayor John Morrison. Legislators heard repeated testimony that households of all income levels cannot afford the county's housing costs, which is limiting economic development. "For employers that means you have a smaller potential pool of talent," said Guy Tauer, Oregon Employment Department regional economist. Jackson County's average median home price in relation to the average wage is approximately double the national rate, Tauer told legislators. About 10 years of gross earnings are needed to afford the local median home, Tauer said, compared with about five years nationally. And the problem is only getting worse. The county saw a 17 percent increase in the median home price in the last year April to April, Tauer said. Home values continue to increase by about $100 a day, he added. "The majority of Medford residents cannot afford to own their own home if they are not already homeowners," said West Medford Community Coalition member Lenore Drake. However, home sales dropped by half in April this year compared with a year ago when, according to Drake, between 19 and 23 percent of investors were buying homes with the intent of "flipping" the property for a profit. The equity in local homes is also hampering local employee retention, legislators heard. With housing prices so much lower elsewhere, some of the county's residents are cashing out and moving. Declining school enrollment coincides with that trend, officials said. Legislators Wednesday heard a $100 million per biennium revenue proposal from the Oregon Housing Alliance, a group of nonprofit workers, housing providers and government officials. Increasing the state's document recording fees could raise at least $60 million, the group estimated. Devoting $25 million in Oregon Lottery dollars and allocating $10 million from the state's general fund also was suggested. But lawmakers Wednesday saw no obvious solution to what was characterized as a far-reaching problem. "When you have couples who earn $100,000 a year, and they can't afford to buy a house in Oregon," said Rep. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, "how do we get there?" Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s 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 Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy