Group at risk of homelessness could get access to more housing in north Salem

Construction on 15 more cottages in northeast Salem for seniors at risk of homelessness can begin immediately following a $50,000 donation from WaFd Bank.

The news comes only a few months after the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley's Cottages United first opened its doors to residents. Ten cottages opened for residents 55 and older in May near Swegle Elementary on Market Street NE.

At the ribbon cutting, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley CEO Rhonda Wolf called the project "five years of a dream come true."

She said people older than 55 are the fastest-growing population at risk of homelessness. Many are on fixed incomes that fail to keep pace with increasing rents.

The need in the community is enormous, she added.

In a recent survey of those homeless in the Salem area, 429 of the 1,683 people counted were 55 and older.

When a waitlist opened for the cottages, 150 people signed up within two weeks.

Each cottage has a kitchen, dining area, in-unit washer and dryer, bathroom and separate bedroom and small outdoor space.

Rent will be $500 a month — a far cry from Salem's current median rent of $1,439 .

Officials with WaFd Bank, through its foundation, announced in August that it awarded the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley a $50,000 grant.

The grant provides the necessary funds for United Way to immediately seek permits and begin construction on Phases 2 and 3 of the Cottages United project.

Gary Haines, northern Oregon regional president for WaFd Bank, said he was so impressed after he learned about the program and visited Cottages United that he immediately began work to secure grant funding to jumpstart the next two phases and more quickly serve the community.

“I love that this project is geared toward providing seniors who have found themselves on the verge of homelessness with a dignified, and inspiring, place to call home,” Haines said. “The approach that United Way took to design these homes as well as integrate them into the surrounding community is distinctive from other projects we’ve seen — it feels like a neighborhood, and something that others should visit and learn from. It is thoughtful, creative, engaging and inspiring. It’s a true home.”

While the WaFd grant will get the project started, the Cottages project needs to raise another $2 million to complete the final two phases.

Haines said he hopes their kickstart grant of $50,000 will inspire others to get involved and support the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Cottages United.

United Way leaders say they want their creative approach of building on city infill on lots that otherwise would remain empty to be an example to others of what’s possible in the ever-challenging senior housing crisis.

To learn more about the Cottages United program or to donate, visit the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley website .

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com , call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Group at risk of homelessness could get access to more housing in north Salem