Oregon Housing and Community Services announced two new affordable housing projects to serve veterans in Oregon, Victory Place in Medford and Victory Commons in Klamath Falls.
“In our most recent Point-in-Time count of people experiencing homelessness, one out of every 10 people counted were veterans,” said Margaret Van Vliet, Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services. “We can do more to help ensure people who served our country do not experience homelessness. These two projects will help Oregon serve its veterans with a safe place to call home.”
The two projects awarded are in Klamath Falls and Medford, and will create 26 new affordable homes for veterans who have experienced housing instability, homelessness, and have low incomes. The housing providers will assist with connections to the federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, including local employment, training opportunities and health care. Cameron Smith, Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs said that community efforts have helped decrease homelessness among veterans in Oregon by an estimated 21% since 2011.
“In partnership with state and federal agencies, local communities have made a substantial difference in reducing chronic homelessness among our veterans,” Smith said. “Community programs like Victory Place and Victory Commons are essential to both addressing immediate housing needs as well as the root causes of homelessness to ensure veterans thrive in Oregon.”
The State Housing Council approved the projects on Friday, November 6. Victory Place will be located in Medford, and includes 16 units for veterans. Victory Place includes Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers, as well as a partnership with the local Community Action agency, Access.
Victory Commons will be located in downtown Klamath Falls, and includes 10 units for veterans. Victory Commons will include five VASH Vouchers, and features partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Klamath Lake Community Action Services, Treatment Court, and behavior health services.
The resources used to fund these new affordable homes for veterans are the result of an increase to the document recording fee dedicated to fund affordable housing for veterans passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2013 (HB 2417).
