With Thanksgiving now under our belts literally and figuratively, the cold winter weather is sitting in a mini have their sites out on celebrating and preparing for the holiday festivities. For some, it’s a time and celebrations and traditions, including cups of hot cocoa, fuzzy socks, cozying up by the fireplace and staying warm under and I saw the roof. For others in our community, these cold nights can be dark times of despair is a seeker emergency or alternative shelter to escape to the cold outside.
I had the opportunity to speak with Kim, and Medford resident, who along with her teenage son has called home where they can safely park their van since July. However, they haven’t let their situation get them down. Kim noted, “I’m not bulletproof, but I won’t let this beat me.” This family has remained strong in faith, hope, low, and perseverance during such difficult times and Kim's son has been the proud recipient sapient of many academic awards this year. After feeling hopeless just months ago, they found relief in our local nonprofit system and support from others around them. This shows there are people in our community here who are committed to improving the housing shortage situation and believe that change for the good it’s just around the corner. Hopefully around that corner is the place they, and many others this upcoming winter season, can call home.
Kim’s situation is, unfortunately, becoming more common. Last year the most common demographic to reach out to a “soup kitchen” was middle-aged Caucasian males. We now continue to see more families, including women, children, and teenagers frequently frequenting local resources like “soup kitchens.”
This “housing crisis” is greatly impacted by the low inventory of available and affordable housing. My latest search and then Southern Oregon multiple-listing service shows there are just a little over 100 homes including condos, townhomes, single-family, and manufacturing that are available for sale for under 250,000.
Inventory is down about 30% and buyers are realizing there are not a lot of options to choose from. If they do find a deal, they may expect to have an additional cost for deferred maintenance and or repairs. Renters who are not in a position to buy unfortunately face the thought of having to live on the streets or with friends and family friends are increased beyond their means.
I’m hopeful this issue is the top agenda item for our city Council and the newly appointed members as is pounding the pavement out there are reporting approximately 400+ dilapidated homes in areas of Medford that are currently vacant empty. According to the Director of Rogue Retreat Chad McComas, “There are empty houses out there. There are homeless people out there. We just need to connect the dots.”
I encourage all citizens to show compassion this holiday season by getting involved with some of the nonprofit organizations and groups that are taking action for positive change. If you do find yourself without a roof over your head this upcoming winter, here’s the contact information for some local organizations that may be able to assist you in your journey. For those of you who are looking to contribute to the greater good, I encourage you to contact these places and see how you can help with donations or your smiles. Stay warm!
Shanon Pewtress
Real Estate Broker, Licensed in the state of Oregon
Published Medford Sneak Preview Magazine - December 2016
Shanon holds an MBA in International Business, loves writing in her “At Home with Shanon” column that has been delivered to 47,000+ homes in Medford since 2014, has appeared on the Real Estate Radio Show, and was also featured on A&E TV network’s Real Estate Reality TV show.