‘Urban-Scale’ Problems, ‘Rural-Level Resources’

Northwest Oregon towns face a growing housing crisis, but affordable housing grants are hard to come by for underresourced communities.

1 minute read

December 6, 2023, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of coastal Oregon town.

mdurson / Adobe Stock

Small northwest Oregon towns are struggling to house their residents as housing costs grow and funds for affordable housing projects in rural areas remain scarce, reports Claire Carlson in the Daily Yonder.

Elissa Gertler, housing manager for Clatsop County, told the Daily Yonder that her region is dealing with “urban-scale problems” with only “rural-level resources.” In that county, where the population nearly doubles in the summer, long-term rentals are hard to come by and the median home price is $539,000. Meanwhile, regulations governing coastal development make it difficult to build new housing.

Rural officials say they often struggle to apply for and access state and federal affordable housing grants. “In small counties with limited resources to devote to this process, it can be extremely difficult to compete with metro areas for the same money,” Carlson writes. 

In Clatsop County, a former motel is being converted to 55 housing units for healthcare workers and low-income residents, which will bring both affordable housing and preserve access to healthcare services in the region.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 in The Daily Yonder

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Graphic with blue background, flags, and text reading 2024 Presidential Election

Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners

Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.

October 31, 2024 - Planetizen

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

Commercial street in small rural U.S. town with storefronts and clocktower.

Progressive Planning in Ideologically Conservative Communities

Planners must work in diverse political environments including conservative jurisdictions that are skeptical of new issues and perspectives. Here are ways to reconcile conflicting goals.

November 7, 2024 - Todd Litman

Aerial view of rainbow painted four-way crosswalk in the Castro district, San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Implements ‘Daylighting’ at Intersections

Vehicles are prohibited from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk as part of the city’s Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic deaths and make roads safer.

3 hours ago - SFGate

View of Washington state capitol dome in Olympia, Washington at golden hour.

Washington Voters Keep Carbon Tax

An initiative that would have ended the state’s “cap and invest” program failed, leaving the program in place.

4 hours ago - Governing

Close-up of four Tesla sedans parked and plugged in at charging station.

The Future of Electric Vehicles Under Trump

Will Elon Musk’s influence temper Trump’s anti-EV stance?

5 hours ago - Wired

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.