Squareone Villages

THE MISSION OF SQUAREONE VILLAGES IS TO CREATE DEMOCRATIC COMMUNITIES WITH HOMES THAT ARE PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE.

THE VILLAGES MODEL: EMERALD VILLAGE EUGENE (EVE) IS A PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING COOPERATIVE THAT WILL CONSIST OF 22 SEPARATE TINY HOMES AND SHARED AMENITIES INCLUDING A BIKE SHELTER, TOOL SHED, COMMUNITY BUILDING WITH MEETING SPACE AND COOKING FACILITIES, GARDENS AND GREENHOUSE. IN 2021, 20 UNITS AT EVE HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND PERMITTED FOR OCCUPANCY. MONTHLY CARRYING CHARGES AT EVE RANGED FROM 204-306, INCLUDING UTILITIES, MAKING EVE AFFORDABLE TO EXTREMELY LOW-INCOME (30% AMI) HOUSEHOLDS. RESIDENTS OF EVE ARE MEMBERS OF A COOPERATIVE AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPERTY USING A DEMOCRATIC DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. IN 2021, CO-OP MEMBERS COMPLETED THEIR SECOND FULL YEAR AS THE COOPERATIVE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SQUAREONE STAFF CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO THE CO-OP'S MEMBERS AND BOARD IN OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY. COTTAGE VILLAGE COOPERATIVE (CVC) IS A 13-UNIT PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING COOPERATIVE LOCATED IN COTTAGE GROVE, OR. THE PROJECT WAS DEVELOPED BY SOV IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COTTAGE VILLAGE COALITION, A GROUP OF VOLUNTEER HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS ADVOCATES IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY OF COTTAGE GROVE. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN AUGUST 2019, AND THE FIRST 9 UNITS WERE COMPLETED FOR OCCUPANCY IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020. THE REMAINING 4 UNITS WERE COMPLETED IN EARLY 2021, AND DURING 2021 THE CO-OP REACHED FULL OCCUPANCY OF ALL 13 UNITS. ALSO IN 2021, PLANNING AND DESIGN BEGAN ON THE CO-OP'S SHARED COMMUNITY BUILDING. AN EXISTING SHOP ON THE PROPERTY WILL BE REMODELED INTO A SHARED FACILITY WITH MEETING SPACE, COOKING FACILITIES, AND LAUNDRY. INITIAL MONTHLY CARRYING CHARGES AT CVC RANGE FROM 350-500, WHICH IS AFFORDABLE TO EXTREMELY LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. DURING 2021, SQUAREONE STAFF CONTINUED TO PROVIDE ONGOING TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO CVC MEMBERS AS THEY ACHIEVED FULL OCCUPANCY AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION AS A BOARD. C STREET COOPERATIVE IS A PROJECT DEVELOPED BY SOV IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CULTIVATE PLACE, AND IS LOCATED IN SPRINGFIELD, OR. THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF 6 ONE-BEDROOM FLATS IN A SHARED MAIN HOUSE AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT. THE PROJECT IS INTENDED TO DEMONSTRATE INFILL DEVELOPMENT OF MORE DENSE HOUSING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS FORMERLY ZONED FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING. SQUAREONE FUNDRAISED, DEVELOPED LEGAL DOCUMENTS, AND ARRANGED FOR FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT, MAKING IT AFFORDABLE TO HOUSEHOLDS EARNING 60% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME. CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 2021. DURING THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF 2021, SOV CONDUCTED COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND OPENED APPLICATIONS FOR THE CO-OP TO HOUSEHOLDS EARNING LOW-INCOMES (80% AMI OR BELOW). FIVE CO-OP MEMBERSHIPS WERE SOLD TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD AT THE TIME OCCUPANCY WAS PERMITTED IN SEPTEMBER 2021, AND THE FINAL MEMBERSHIP WAS SOLD TO A LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD IN OCTOBER. THE PROJECT IS AN LEC-CLT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VILLAGE MODEL THAT IS PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE TO VERY LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS (60% AMI). IN ADDITION, SOV PILOTED ITS OWN REVOLVING LOAN FUND TO PROVIDE FINANCING FOR CO-OP MEMBERSHIP SHARES TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. SOV BEGAN PROVIDING ONGOING BOARD TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO THE CO-OP AT THE TIME OF OCCUPANCY. PEACEVILLAGE COOPERATIVE IS IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE. PEACEVILLAGE WILL BE A 70-UNIT, PERMANENTLY-AFFORDABLE HOUSING COOPERATIVE IN EUGENE, OR. ONCE COMPLETED, IT WILL BE THE LARGEST HOUSING COOPERATIVE IN THE STATE OF OREGON. IN 2021, SOV ENTERED NEGOTIATIONS TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY IN EUGENE OWNED BY THE PEACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON WHICH TO DEVELOP PEACEVILLAGE. PRELIMINARY SITE DESIGN WORK WAS BEGUN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CULTIVATE PLACE.

SAFE SHELTERS: OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE EUGENE (OVE) PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE SHELTER OPTION FOR ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF EUGENE, OVE CONSISTS OF 30 DETACHED SLEEPING SHELTERS AND SHARED COMMON FACILITIES INCLUDING BATHROOMS, A SHOWER, LAUNDRY FACILITIES, COOKING FACILITIES, AND A YURT WITH MEETING SPACE AND COMPUTERS FOR COMMUNITY USE. OVE IS A FIRST STEP FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHERE THEY CAN STABILIZE THEIR LIVES AND ACCESS COMMUNITY SERVICES AS THEY WORK TOWARD SECURING HOUSING. A TOTAL OF 43 INDIVIDUALS SPENT AT LEAST ONE NIGHT AT OVE DURING 2021. IN 2021, SQUAREONE MADE SIGNIFICANT UNIT REPAIRS AND BEGAN INSTALLING INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS TO PROVIDE ELECTRIC HEAT TO ALL INDIVIDUAL UNITS. COVID-RELATED FUNDING ALLOWED US TO CONTINUE HAVING A PART-TIME HOUSING NAVIGATOR WORKING WITH CLIENTS ONE-ON-ONE TO ACCESS HOUSING. IN ADDITION, THE HOUSING NAVIGATOR ASSISTS CLIENTS WITH OBTAINING IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS, ENROLLING IN THE OREGON HEALTH PLAN, CONDUCTING HOUSING SEARCHES, AND ADVOCATING WITH LANDLORDS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS. SOV ALSO PROVIDED IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OVE RESIDENTS TO PAY FOR RENTAL APPLICATION FEES, SECURITY DEPOSITS, AND OTHER MOVE-IN EXPENSES. DURING 2021, SQUAREONE ASSISTED 7 INDIVIDUALS TRANSITIONING FROM OVE INTO STABLE HOUSING. "MICRO-SITE" SHELTER EXPANSION THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MADE CLEAR THE BENEFITS OF NON-CONGREGATE SHELTER OPTIONS FOR PERSONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. DURING 2020, THE CITY OF EUGENE AND LANE COUNTY BEGAN SEEKING ORGANIZATIONS TO EXPAND THESE ALTERNATIVE SHELTER OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THE GROWING HOMELESSNESS CRISIS IN THE COMMUNITY. IN LATE 2020, SQUAREONE WORKED WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS TO PLAN AND DEVELOP FOUR ADDITIONAL ALTERNATIVE SHELTER SITES. IN JANUARY 2021, SQUAREONE BEGAN OPERATIONS AT THESE NEW ALTERNATIVE SHELTER SITES. TWO SITES ACCOMMODATING A TOTAL OF 12 HOUSEHOLDS SERVED ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS; AND TWO SITES ACCOMMODATING A TOTAL OF 9 HOUSEHOLDS SERVED FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. FUNDING THROUGH LANE COUNTY ALLOWED SQUAREONE TO PROVIDE HOUSING NAVIGATION SERVICES TO CLIENTS AT THE TWO ADULT SITES, WHILE PARTNER AGENCIES PROVIDED SERVICES TO THOSE STAYING AT THE FAMILY SITES. IN 2021, A TOTAL OF 22 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED SHELTER AND SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE TWO ADULT SITES, AND 46 INDIVIDUALS (IN 17 HOUSEHOLDS) RECEIVED SHELTER SERVICES AT THE TWO FAMILY SITES. A TOTAL OF 5 INDIVIDUALS TRANSITIONED FROM THE ADULT SITES INTO HOUSING; AND A TOTAL OF 22 INDIVIDUALS TRANSITIONED FROM THE FAMILY SITES INTO HOUSING. "SAFE SLEEP SITE" SHELTER EXPANSION IN 2021, THE CITY OF EUGENE AGAIN SOUGHT LOCAL AGENCY PARTNERS TO FURTHER EXPAND NON-CONGREGATE ALTERNATIVE SHELTER CAPACITY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF CITY-PERMITTED AND SUPPORTED "SAFE SLEEP SITES" FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS. IN 2021, SQUAREONE BEGAN PLANNING AND DESIGN WORK FOR A FURTHER EXPANSION OF ONE OF ITS ADULT 6-UNIT "MICRO-SITES" INTO A 40 -UNIT "SAFE SLEEP SITE." THIS NEW SHELTER SITE IS BEING DEVELOPED ON PROPERTY SQUAREONE OWNS ON ROOSEVELT BLVD. IN EUGENE. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF EUGENE AND CARRY IT FORWARD, ANOTHER LOCAL OUTREACH AND SHELTER PROVIDER, THIS "SAFE SLEEP SITE" IS PROJECTED TO BEGIN FULL OPERATIONS IN MID-2022. IT WILL INCLUDE 40 PRIVATE SHELTER UNITS AND SHARED AMENITIES INCLUDING A PANTRY, FOOD PREPARATION AREA, BATHROOMS, AND SHOWERS.

LAND TRUSTS: SQUAREONE VILLAGES HAS ADOPTED A COMMUNITY LAND TRUST (CLT) MODEL. IN A CLT, A NONPROFIT RETAINS OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND AND PROVIDES A LONG-TERM GROUND LEASE TO THE OWNERS OF THE HOUSING ON THE LAND. THE GOAL IS TO GUARANTEE LONG-TERM AFFORDABILITY OF THE HOUSING, OUTSIDE OF THE INFLUENCE OF MARKET PRESSURES.

CONSULTING SERVICES: CONSULTATION AND THE VILLAGE MODEL A MAJOR FOCUS OF SQUAREONE VILLAGES' WORK HAS BEEN TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN LANE COUNTY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE US. THE VILLAGE TOOLBOX IS A PROPRIETARY SET OF ONLINE RESOURCES FOR PLANNING, DEVELOPING, AND OPERATING AN AFFORDABLE TINY HOUSE VILLAGE FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY. THE PURPOSE OF THE TOOLBOX IS TO HELP ADVOCATES MOBILIZE A BROAD RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES TO CREATE NEW SHELTER AND HOUSING OPTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. FOR GROUPS WHO ARE FURTHER ALONG IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, SQUAREONE VILLAGES PROVIDES CONSULTATION SERVICES TO ASSIST IN A COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WITH DEMOCRATIC, RESIDENT-MANAGEMENT AS A CORE VALUE. IN 2021, WE CONTINUED TO DEVELOP A NEW SET OF RESOURCES TO PROMOTE THE VILLAGE MODEL, OUR APPROACH TO CREATING PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY DEVELOPING LIMITED-EQUITY HOUSING COOPERATIVES ON LAND OWNED BY A COMMUNITY LAND TRUST DEDICATED FOR HOUSING THAT IS AFFORDABLE IN PERPETUITY. AS A FORM OF "SHARED EQUITY" HOUSING, THIS OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT MODEL PROMOTES COMMUNITY STABILITY AND PUTS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN CONTROL OF THEIR HOUSING. THE RESOURCES WE HAVE DEVELOPED ARE BEING USED TO EDUCATE LOCAL OFFICIALS, ADVOCATES, LENDERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ABOUT THIS FORM OF SHARED EQUITY HOUSING IN ORDER TO SCALE-UP THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS THAT FOLLOW THE VILLAGE MODEL.