United Way plans to add affordable cottages with a state boost
It’s been nearly two years since the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley opened 10 cottages to give seniors on fixed incomes an affordable place to live. The organization hopes to launch a long-awaited expansion this fall, using state money.
The first group of cottages, located on Northeast Aguilas Court and across from Swegle Elementary School, opened in May 2024 after a five-year effort from United Way. Rent is set at $500 a month, and each home features a full bathtub, fridge, stove, washer and dryer, with accessibility accommodations available on request.
The low cost has already brought peace of mind to the seniors who moved in, said CEO Rhonda Wolf. One couple had been living with their children, unable to afford a place of their own.
“They said it was so nice to be able to get their own place again,” Wolf said. “Because they felt like they could be a blessing, again, to their family instead of a burden.”
The 10 cottages were filled upon opening, and only two have had residents leave since, Wolf said. She said that shows the strong community they’ve built there, but also the need for affordable senior housing.
In September 2024, United Way launched a fundraising campaign seeking private donations to fund 15 additional cottages next door, which at the time were estimated to cost around $2 million.
As of February, donations have stalled at around $350,000, Wolf said.
“A lot of people, they love the project. But my guess is that they just don’t feel like their $50 or $100 donations would go very far, which they would,” Wolf said.
Meanwhile, the waitlist has grown to 250 seniors.
United Way turned to the state, seeking $2.4 million from Oregon Housing and Community Services to get the next phase started. The estimated cost has gone up due to inflation, Wolf said.
In September, the state announced its commitment to funding the expansion, part of a $291 million package to add 1,171 homes across the state. It includes four projects in Salem that plan to add 378 homes.
“We’re just kind of going through some of the final steps that we have to go through in order to get the funding. And we don’t know exactly when the funding will come, but our hopes are that we would be able to break ground this fall,” Wolf said.
Jodi Blackman, United Way’s chief program manager, has been working with the state to meet an application deadline at the end of February.
“That process is long,” Blackman said. “We’re kind of learning as we go, too. There’s lots of steps and lots of things we have to provide, and lots of processes, and it all just takes time and it’s a learning curve.”
After they submit the materials, there will be a review period.
“Once it comes, we’re ready to go. We have everybody in place, ready,” Blackman said. “So it really is just about securing those funds.”
Homelessness among seniors is increasing in Oregon, as the state’s population ages and costs of renting and living increase. Salem-area shelters, including Church at the Park, are focusing future projects on accommodating the growing need.
A market-rate studio apartment in Salem costs around $1,300. At $500 a month, Wolf said the cottages have been a relief for the residents’ fixed-income budgets.
Beyond the affordability, Wolf and Blackman said the cottages have built a community of seniors who have experiences and challenges in common, and who are enjoying independence.
“People were living with their children, and that really changes a relationship,” Blackman said. “To be able to be on their own, it puts the relationship back to where it should be. They can come visit, or you go visit, and they don’t have to feel like their children are responsible for them. And I think that that is a big peace of mind for a senior.”
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
