Lincoln county Workforce Housing Initiatives

Lincoln County Workforce Housing InitiativesBaby steps

April 2014

The Immediate Challenges• Central coast is a popular tourism destination• Many tourism jobs are seasonal/low wage• Vacation/retirement homes are in high demand• Much of the least expensive housing stock is in poor condition

The Broader Challenges• Transportation (roads and public transit)• Child Care• Health care

The Impact• Housing prices in Lincoln County grew twice as fast as wages

from 1990 to 2010

Why is This Concerning?• People can’t afford to live where they work• Businesses have trouble recruiting and retaining workers• More congestion on roads and pollution• Community diversity suffers

Why Is This Concerning (cont.)?

• Critical employees (medical, public safety, public works) should be close by to respond in times of emergency

Local Response• At Home in Lincoln County, comprehensive homelessness and

housing plan (2007)• Numerous initiatives, including creation of Lincoln Community

Land Trust

LCLT to Date• 501(c)3 created• Strong Board of Directors recruited• Ground lease developed• Outreach to lenders and Realtors• One home rehabbed, one new build completed• Both homes sold

City and County Actions• Membership in Housing Alliance (county)• Financial support of Land Trust (County and five cities)• Revolving Loan Funds (Newport, Lincoln City, Toledo)• Workforce housing needs assessment (Newport)• Land purchases and property conversations (Newport, Lincoln

City, Toledo)

Newport Needs Assessment• http://newportoregon.gov/dept/pln/Housing%20Needs

%20Study/Ordinance_Exhibit_A__Housing.pdf

Questions?