Why building more homes won’t solve the affordable housing problem for the millions of people who need it most – November 12, 2021 Even before 2020, the U.S. faced an acute housing affordability crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic made it a whole lot worse after millions of people who lost their jobs fell behind on rent.…
DetailsPortland to set up homeless villages with electricity and heating – October 1, 2021 Villages for homeless people are set to debut on the streets of Portland, Oregon early next year. The first three government-sanctioned homeless camps, which have been dubbed “Safe Rest Village” sites by the liberal city, will be up and running at…
DetailsEditorial: [Bend, OR] Homelessness task force stuck on lack of leadership – September 30, 2021 When the city of Bend and Deschutes County joined forces to work on homelessness issues, that was progress. Together they formed the Emergency Homelessness Task Force. Elected leaders from the city and the county are on it. City and county…
DetailsResponse from Councilor Herman – September 17, 2021 ——– Forwarded Message ——– Subject: Re: One more thought Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2021 23:57:58 +0000 From: Joan Herman <JHerman@astoria.or.us> To: Rick Bowers <rick@speak-peace.com> CC: Roger Rocka <RRocka@astoria.or.us> Rick, it would not be appropriate for a City staff member below a department head to communicate with a…
DetailsResponse to Councilor Herman by Rick Bowers September 17, 2021 A PDF version of this letter is available here. Note… the PDF does contain the full email chain (only the response to Councilor Herman). Joan Herman, City Councilor City of Astoria 1095 Duane St. Astoria, OR 97103 Thanks for sharing your perspective (below): I can…
DetailsResponse from Councilor Herman – September 16, 2021 Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2021 15:20:56 +0000 From: Joan Herman <JHerman@astoria.or.us> To: Rick Bowers <rick@speak-peace.com> Hi, Rick. I can certainly understand why you would not want to purchase a property not knowing if you would even be able to use it as you intended. I also would…
DetailsLetter to Councilor Herman by Rick Bowers September 14, 2021 A PDF version of this letter is available here. Joan Herman, City Councilor City of Astoria 1095 Duane St. Astoria, OR 97103 I was thinking recently about some of the feedback you received at your prior listening session — a couple of folks expressed frustration…
DetailsPut a spare home or two in your backyard: Oregon’s ADU rules allow for more income-producing rentals – September 10, 2021 Oregon neighborhoods with rows of single-family houses may see the addition of smaller homes built to help ease the state’s longstanding housing shortage and high costs. As of Aug. 1, Portland homeowners can legally…
DetailsResponse to: City Council Work Session – Police Community Survey by Rick Bowers August 26, 2021 A PDF version of this article is available here. Geoff Spalding, Chief of Police City of Astoria 1095 Duane St. Astoria, OR 97103 RE: City Council Work Session — Police Community Survey Dear Chief Spalding: I enjoyed your Police…
DetailsResponse to Councilor Herman The following is in response to an email conversation I was having with Councilor Herman regarding what to me appears to be slow movement on updating Astoria’s Comprehensive Plan to address very affordable housing. I realize there can be different approaches. However, I wanted to express my frustration with what occurs…
Details