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?