Salem Housing Authority. Nikki Burdette-Morris’ job can often be like putting the pieces of a puzzle together, trying to make sure the right person finds the right apartment. The landlord navigator for the Salem Housing Authority knows how much each client can spend on rent through low-income housing vouchers, but[Read More…]
City News
Salem’s wait list for housing vouchers dwindles, but years-long pause on new applications still stands
More than three years after Salem stopped taking waiting list applications for public assistance to get into housing, residents will still have to wait up to four years for an affordable place to live. As of Oct. 28, 7,578 people from 3,207 households are on the Salem Housing Authority’s waiting[Read More…]
Long-planned affordable housing project could break ground early next year
The Oregon State Hospital North Campus property, pictured in 2019. A piece of the project would give the city of Salem a former residence hall for nurses to be turned into 52 units of affordable housing. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) After years of delays, a much-needed affordable housing project in Salem[Read More…]
Salem sobering center stalled by lack of funding
Ashley Hamilton, program director of the ARCHES Project, shows Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, recently donated supplies that are currently stored in the building’s unused sobering center on May 7, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) A downtown Salem facility built last year to be used[Read More…]
Weigh in on future skate park in Geer Park
A rendering of the location of a future skate park in Geer Park. (Courtesy/city of Salem) In a few years Salem could have a new skate park in southeast Salem and the city wants residents to weigh in. A survey released Tuesday asks people to share their priorities for skate[Read More…]
Downtown parking fees, support for energy efficiency among possible Salem climate strategies
Gary Weaver, a transit operator with Cherriots, steps off of a freshly cleaned bus on Friday, May 22. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem could begin charging for on-street parking downtown, supporting energy efficiency and weatherization for lower-income households (including renters) and small business owners, and adding trees in areas with low[Read More…]
Salem would open more business areas to housing development under draft zoning plan
A construction crew works on the street outside of the Nishioka building site in downtown Salem on May 12, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem city councilors and planning commission members got a glimpse into how the city is planning for its future Monday evening. The group reviewed a draft comprehensive[Read More…]
Salem’s Public Works Department wins award for wetland work
Salem’s Public Works Department won an award for its work on the Mill Creek Corporate Center wetland. (Courtesy/Diego G Díaz at Otak) For years, Salem Public Works Department has worked to create new wetlands on land being developed for commercial use. The Mill Creek Corporate Center in southeast Salem now[Read More…]
West Salem could soon have managed homeless camp after council approval
A row of pallet shelters under construction on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) A vacant lot along Wallace Road in west Salem could soon be the site of temporary shelters for seniors experiencing homelessness. On Monday night, the Salem City Council unanimously approved a recommendation that would allow[Read More…]
Annual survey shows increasing pessimism with the city of Salem
Salem residents are more concerned about homelessness than ever and are increasingly pessimistic about the direction the city is headed in. That’s according to an annual survey conducted from Aug. 12 to 16 by DHM Research on behalf of the city of Salem to better understand residents’ priorities. SURVEY LINK[Read More…]
