IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR LONGER TERM, SUBSIDIZED (MORE AFFORDABLE) HOUSING, IN ADDITION TO WHATEVER CAN BE FOUND ON THE PRIVATE MARKET, THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MAJOR AREA RESOURCES:
HACSA The Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County is the gatekeeper for all section 8 and VASH subsidized housing. If you have a low income you may qualify for subsidies, either in HACSA managed properties or in the private market. Unfortunately the supply doesn’t come close to meeting the demand. It’s a good idea to get on their waiting list as soon as possible – the wait can be months or even years. Visit their website for details.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL (SVDP) AFFORDABLE HOUSING. SVDP provides beautiful, quality, affordable rental housing in Lane and Marion counties. Nearly 1,300 units of housing have been completed since 1988. We also provide a number of service-enriched programs to make sure people can maintain their housing. People shouldn’t have to choose between paying their rent and paying for other necessities such as groceries. Visit the website for more details.
CORNERSTONE Cornerstone communities serve as a catalyst; matching affordable housing with a support network, addressing educational needs, career counseling, food and nutrition, providing constructive youth activities, parenting classes, and much more. All of the residents we serve fall between 30%-60% Area Median Income. Visit their website for more information.
SHARED HOUSING. Renting homes or apartments on the open market is fine if you can afford it, but if “first, last and deposit” would break your budget, renting rooms can be a more affordable option. Check community bulletin boards around town, put the word out to your friends’ circles of friends through Facebook or email, and especially keep an eye on Craigslist.
VETERANS. If you’re a homeless veteran, one place to start is to download our list of veterans’ services. One item on the list is the V.A. Behavioral Health Reintegration & Recovery Services (BHRRS), which provides health care and essential social services to homeless Veterans in order to help stabilize their lives and break the cycle of homelessness and chemical dependency, and helps them overcome vocational limitations. Outreach workers seek out homeless Veterans and connect them with housing using VASH vouchers and a close working relationship with the local housing authority (211 E.7th. 541-242-0440). Some veterans don’t feel ready for conventional housing, but do want help getting off the streets. In that case, one option to look at is the Community Supported Shelters veterans’ camp–a secure community of veterans living in Conestoga huts. There can be a wait list of up to 10 weeks for a spot at a C.S.S. community, but if you like the concept it’s worth getting on the list, and sometimes you get lucky and a spot opens up sooner.
SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. If you’re a senior citizen, or disabled, check in with Lane County Senior and Disability Services. They know all the ins and outs of getting your social security checks rolling and arranging housing. Some seniors and people with disabilities don’t feel ready for conventional housing, but do want help getting off the streets. In that case, one option to look at is the Community Supported Shelters alternative communities–secure encampments of people living in tents or Conestoga huts, with amenities such as porta-potties and camp kitchens. There can be a wait list of up to 10 weeks for a spot at a C.S.S. community, but if you like the concept it’s worth getting on the list, and sometimes you get lucky and a spot opens up sooner.
PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. You may find it helpful to check in with Lane County Behavioral Health. They provide many support services, and they serve as a gatekeeper to a number of specialized group homes or other facilities for people coping with mental illness. If you’re not interested in group homes or other conventional housing, but do want help getting off the streets, and believe you could handle living in a cooperative camping community, one option to look at is Community Supported Shelters‘ communities –secure encampments of people living in tents or Conestoga huts, with amenities such as porta-potties and camp kitchens. There can be a wait list of up to 10 weeks for a spot at a C.S.S. community, but if you like the concept it’s worth getting on the list, and sometimes you get lucky and a spot opens up sooner.
NOT QUITE HOMELESS, BUT BARELY HANGING ON? Check with:
The St. Vincent de Paul Social Services office behind the red door facing the street at 456 Highway 99N in Eugene, from 10-12:30 or 130-4, M,T,Th, F, or
Catholic Community Services, M-F 9-4:30, at 1025 G Street, Springfield. Tel. 541-345-3628 or at 1464 W. 6th. Avenue, Eugene. Tel. 541-345-3628