Thrive Awarded Housing Coalition Grant
Housing is a fundamental need. It matters for your health, future, family stability, and happiness. In Hood River, we have seen a sharp shift in the economics and dynamics of the community. Hood River is now in the top 1% of most expensive housing markets for rural counties in the United States, with a median listed home price of $493,000, a price that is only affordable to the top 10% of area households and 48% of renters are considered cost burdened.
The heart of our community – our workforce, young families, and those on a fixed income – are being priced out. This has affected neighborhoods as streets are dark with second homes, schools have seen declining enrollment, and local businesses and public agencies struggle to fill positions.
As our communities’ needs have evolved, so has Thrive’s focus and we are thrilled to announce that we have received a grant from Mason Charitable Trust to support our work on housing policy. This grant will help us launch a community engagement and coalition building project aimed at improving the diversity and affordability of Hood River’s housing stock.The project’s goals:
- Build a diverse housing coalition and engage new stakeholders to advocate for and impact Hood River housing policies.
- Engage and inform the public to build trust and create a baseline of understanding by hosting community housing conversations and events and leading a public information campaign in print and social media.
- Build capacity within our organization to support a sustained coalition and community progress to meet Hood River’s housing goals.
- Model positive civic engagement.
