Housing makes a home.
For many, the southern Willamette Valley is a great place to live, work, study and play. But our region is experiencing a housing crisis that affects everyone, directly or indirectly.
As Better Housing Together began its work in 2017, the Eugene area was reported as the second most-constrained housing market in the nation—second only to Seattle, WA—and our community has the highest per-capita rate of homelessness in the nation.
We have seen historic and encouraging progress on many fronts during the past few years. But the data remains stark. Nearly half of Lane County residents are cost-burdened by their housings costs. Housing supply is largely inaccessible to local wage earners, and a perilously low vacancy rate pushes rents higher and homeownership farther away. Many neighbors are stretching their incomes and foregoing primary needs simply to maintain their housing and cover basic necessities. Working families are unable to break into the housing market, low-income households are struggling to access stable housing, and seniors and young people have few options. This crisis touches every homeowner, neighborhood, business sector, and organization in the community.
In response to this challenge, we are working together to create solutions.
Better Housing Together is both an independent 501(c)3 advocacy organization and the backbone for a collective impact effort working to address Lane County’s housing crisis.
Together, we can see a future that makes room for many different households and housing types, and that supports people of all ages, at all income levels. We can see inclusive neighborhoods and sociable public spaces. We value environmental stewardship, diverse housing options, a strong economy, a culture of innovation and inclusivity, and a multimodal transportation system that serves our entire community. We are building this better future by working together.
Meet our Board of Directors and Community Partners.