The foreclosure scourge has moved its way into Oregon, causing some of the highest rates of loan defaults since the 1980s.
"Foreclosures have spread through California, Florida and other states for more than a year. But the national housing decline is just now moving to its next ugly phase in Oregon: A glut of unsold houses, falling prices and vacant foreclosed homes that drive down values for neighboring homes.
More than 2,800 homeowners defaulted on their mortgage in Clark, Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties in the third quarter of 2008, according to county records. That's more than 30 defaults a day. In the once fast-growing Deschutes County, 520 people defaulted, up from a low of 51 in the second quarter of 2006.
Across the five counties, defaults were up 107 percent from the same quarter in 2007.
The number of new defaults was still less than 1 percent of all housing units in the counties. But by comparison, Oregon's foreclosures in this downturn are likely to rise to the highest levels since the 1980s recession."
FULL STORY: Foreclosure scourge spreads into Oregon

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

Can Geothermal Energy Fuel Hawaiʻi’s Future?
Gavin Murphy, a New Zealand-based consultant with experience in indigenous-led geothermal projects, argues that Hawaiʻi is poised to achieve energy independence and economic growth by respectfully developing its untapped geothermal resources.

Climate Gardening: Cultivating Resilient Landscapes in Los Angeles
TreePeople’s 4th Annual Urban Soil Symposium explored how climate gardening, soil health, and collaborative land management strategies can enhance urban resilience in the face of climate change.

Electric Surge: EV Chargers Outnumber Gas Nozzles in California
California now has 48% more electric vehicle chargers than gasoline nozzles, reflecting its rapid shift toward clean transportation and aggressive zero-emission goals despite federal pushback.
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