Grants Pass, Ore. — The Chief Operations Officer, Kelly Wessles, at United Community Action Network in Grants Pass says she’s never seen anything like it.
“It’s a harsh reality.”
Wessles says dozens of people were camping outside their office, some for days, hoping for a chance at affordable housing.
“The need for housing in Josephine County is so serious. Rental market is so low and the scarcity of housing in general is a challenge,” said Wessles who adds that affordable housing is even harder to find.
The Parkview terrace apartments are being developed by Jackson County Housing Authority, since Josephine County Housing Council doesn’t have a development department.
Applications for a unit were accepted on a first come first serve basis beginning at 8:00 Wednesday morning.
“We counted 20 tents out there this morning. We gave out 149 applications first thing as soon as we got here this morning,” observed Wessles. “It was wrapped all the way around the back of the building.”
Charanne Cook-Wilson and her fiancé, Thomas Loeser waited five hours to submit their application. They’ve been living with friends and family for months.
“No privacy is never fun, especially when you’re a couple,” commented Cook. “It’s hard but we’ve made it work.”
The 50 units are already full, but Cook and Loeser say they’re happy to have their name on the waiting list.
“You got to do what you can.”
And they’re hopeful something will come through.
Wessels says there’s a less than one-percent rental availability.
Jackson County Housing Authority will be back at the UCAN office Thursday from 1 – 4 pm and Friday from 8 -11 am accepting applications for anyone else who wants to get on the waiting list for a unit.
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