February 18, 2018 By: Jeff Merkley
Not long ago I toured the state, hearing from Oregonians affected by the housing crisis. I heard from folks who became homeless due to rent increases; from families that qualify for affordable housing only to face a years-long wait list; and countless stories in between. Every corner of the state has felt this pain.
As The Register-Guard’s editorial board has illustrated in detail, Lane County is no exception. A lack of mental health services, increasingly pervasive drug addiction, and ongoing economic distress have forced people to the streets, even as the price of rental housing has spiraled beyond workers’ wages.
But the situation is not hopeless. There is some bipartisan support to commit real resources to these issues troubling Eugene, Lane County and the entire country.
The Senate Appropriations Committee last year fully rejected the president’s irresponsible budget, which would have slashed programs for housing and homelessness. Using my seat on the committee, I worked to reinstate and increase that funding.....................Read More
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