Livable Communities: The Future of Housing - Lane County, OR

Livable Communities include a choice of affordable housing - row houses, multi-plexes, cottages -- all smaller units that are affordable. AARP Oregon, AIA – Southwest Oregon, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST), Transportation Growth Management Program, held a Livability Solutions Forum: The Future of Housing on April 12. The event focused on exploring how Lane County can create more housing options.

Nationally known architect and urbanist Daniel Parolek of Opticos Design, Inc., who coined the term “Missing Middle Housing” and other speakers shared their expertise and insights at the forum.

Attendees discuss solutions during the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               workshop on April 12. (photo by Carmel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Snyder)

A morning workshop brought together planners, builders, lenders and other members of the community to identify barriers and challenges, and then also focus on possible solutions and next steps to bring innovative housing that support residents across age, ability and income spectrum. Attendees explored how “missing middle housing” can be instrumental in building successful multi-generational communities.

Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis, who highlighted housing as a priority in her State of the City address in January, and Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg both emphasized the importance of finding solutions to the housing crunch in the Eugene-Springfield area.

 

Resources and Materials:

Presentation slides

Media:

Mayor Vinis speaks out on Missing Middle Housing

Eugene Weekly article

Special Thank you to our speakers, workshop facilitators, moderators and volunteers:

Dan Parolek, Opticos Design, Inc.

Mayor Christine Lundberg, Springfield

Mayor Lucy Vinis, Eugene

Mayor Sandra Larson, Veneta

Rob Zako, BEST

Kaarin Knudson, Rowell-Brokaw and member, AIA-SWO

Brenda Wilson, Lane Council of Governments

Mia Nelson, 1000 Friends of Oregon

John VanLandingham, Oregon Law Center

Sandy Belson, City of Springfield Development and Public Works

Stephanie Jennings, City of Eugene Planning and Development

Tim Duy, Professor, UO Department of Economics / Oregon Economic Forum

Sandy Coffin, member, AARP Oregon Executive Council

Michele Scheib, member, AARP Oregon Executive Council

Mary Ann Pool, AARP volunteer

Betty-Coe de Brokert, AARP volunteer

Tilford Snyder, AARP volunteer

Daryl Swan, AARP volunteer

Barbara French, League of Women Voters

Kevin Gilbride, University of Oregon

Katie Hall, AIA-SWO President

Will Dowdy, City of Eugene Planning

Trish Thomas, retired from City of Eugene Planning

 Supporters/Presenters: A special thank you to the organizations who supported the forum and the work that continues in Lane County.

LiveMove

WE CAN (Walkable Eugene Citizens Advisory Network)

BEST (Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation)

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

City of Eugene

Eugene Association of REALTORS®

AIA-SWO

Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce

League of Women Voters of Lane County

1000 Friends of Oregon