HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-157 Letter DLCD Support CITY O F
June 22,2021 AS H LA N D
Gordon Howard, Grant Program Manager
Department of Land Conservation and Development
635 Capitol Street NE, Suite 150
Salem, Oregon 97301-2540
Re: DLCD Planning Assistance Grant Application
Dear Mr. Gordon
I would like to take this opportunity to express my full support for the Department of Land Conservation and
Development 2021-2023 grant application to develop Ashland's first Housing Production Strategy.
The Oregon Legislature's appropriation of funding to the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and
Development(DLCD)for the purpose of providing technical assistance to local governments in addressing the
requirements of House Bill 2003 supports our shared goals of increasing the provision of needed housing The
Oregon Housing and Community Services Department has identified that approximately 33 percent of renter
households in Ashland experience severe rent burden. This severe rent burden qualifies the City for priority
funding assistance from DLCD to develop a Housing Production Strategy.
Ashland was fortunate to be the recipient of a 2019-21 planning assistance grant from DCLD which allowed us
to work with the DLCD selected consultant ECONorthwest to update Ashland's Housing Capacity Analysis.
This HCA will be presented to the Council for adoption on August 3rd,2021. Having so recently updated our
housing needs projections,buildable lands inventory,and residential land needs analysis,we are now well
positioned to carry on this momentum and identify and implement measures for accommodating needed housing
as described in Oregon Administrative Rules(OAR)Chapter 660,Divisions 7 and 8.
Grant funds, if awarded,will pay for consultant assistance to prepare a public hearing ready draft Housing
Production Strategy to ensure Ashland has a viable plan to implement effective measures over the next 8 years
to address the issues identified:in conducting our 2021 Housing Capacity Analysis. Through an award of
funding,the City of Ashland and State of Oregon can further our shared goals of promoting the provision of
affordable and workforce housing through a citizen involvement program that ensures the opportunity for
citizens to be involved in all phases of the planning process.
Thank you,
lie Akins,Mayor
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
City of Ashland Tel:541-488-6002
20 East Main Street Fax:541-488-5311
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900 P`,
www.ashland.or.us