We know there is a dire need for affordable housing. The question is: Should we pave the way for corporate interests to control production and ownership around this basic need?
A majority of us will vote for the measure. Why wouldn’t we? The measure has bipartisan support and is endorsed by the non-profit housing developers in our community. We like the mission of Habitat for Humanity, of NEDCO. Just this month, St. Vinnie’s opened 35 new low-income units in Springfield.
So what’s the concern? Let’s look at who directs these nonprofits: NEDCO’s board of directors includes executives from big banks and construction. Far bigger, Habitat for Humanity’s board of directors includes executives from Bank of America, Dow Chemical, GM and Cougar Drilling.
But if that isn’t concern enough, know that nothing in the amendment prohibits the public revenue going to for-profit developers. For-profit “affordable housing” enterprises are booming. In 2016, the Miller-Valentine Group, for example, posted revenue of $339 million.
The good news is Portland passed a $258-plus-million bond in 2016 to fund publicly owned affordable housing. They have already acquired hundreds of units newly set at affordable rents. Municipally owned housing stock is an important antidote to private sector exploitation and control.
Zondie Zinke
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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