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Salem Housing Authority reports fewer vacancies, rising Family Self-Sufficiency participation and eviction costs in PMR
Summary
Housing Authority Director Nicole Yoots told the board the Family Self-Sufficiency program is near capacity, permanent supportive housing vacancies have declined since the report date, and evictions at one permanent supportive site drove substantial turnover costs.
The Salem Housing Authority presented its Program Management Report Monday, reporting high participation in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, declining but notable vacancies in permanent supportive housing, and substantial turnover costs tied to evictions.
Nicole Yoots, director of housing for the Salem Housing Authority, told the Housing Authority meeting the FSS program is nearly full at 145 of 150 participant slots and that enrolled families have accumulated more than $30,000 in escrow savings aimed at long-term stability. "That program seems to be thriving a lot," Yoots said.
Yoots also reviewed occupancy in permanent supportive housing: the report listed about 20 vacancies at the time of the document, but Yoots said that figure had since dropped to 12. She gave a detailed breakdown of 14 listed vacant units at Equinna Hall: six vacancies resulted from evictions for failure to comply with lease terms (requiring sheriff lockout proceedings that took four to six months), one eviction was for tenant-caused fire damage, one tenant moved to avoid eviction, four tenants moved into the Section 8 voucher program, one transferred to assisted living, and one occupant died.
Yoots said the agency offers eviction-prevention services but that "100% of those units failed to cooperate or participate in eviction prevention services." She estimated average turnover costs for those units near $10,000 per unit, citing legal fees, unpaid rent, damages and unpaid utilities. Since August 2024, Yoots said, there have been 14 total evictions from the site noted in the PMR out of 51 units.
In describing the Housing First model used in permanent supportive housing, Yoots explained the program prioritizes immediate access to housing without preconditions such as sobriety or mandatory treatment. "Housing First is highly effective for many, especially those with chronic homelessness. It does not work in every case or for every individual," she said, explaining some residents need a higher level of medical or behavioral care than the program can provide and noting a local shortage of Medicaid-assisted adult foster care units.
Board member Brown asked whether Arches is the primary provider for on-site supportive services and food distribution; Yoots said Arches leads supportive services and coordinates donations, while Marion Polk Food Share runs a food pantry at Robert Lindsay Tower for seniors.
Action at the Housing Authority meeting: the consent calendar (minutes from the July 28 meeting) was approved by roll call. The board received the PMR as an information item and did not take additional policy action.
Key figures from the PMR presentation - Family Self-Sufficiency occupancy: 145 of 150 slots - FSS escrow savings reported: more than $30,000 total - Reported permanent supportive housing vacancies at time of PMR: ~20; current (at meeting) reported by staff: 12 - Evictions since August 2024 at the referenced supportive site: 14 (out of 51 units) - Average turnover cost (staff estimate): approximately $10,000 per turnover, citing legal fees, unpaid rents, damages and utilities
Yoots asked the board to review the PMR's new success-story format and glossary and invited questions. There were no formal follow-up directives recorded beyond standard operational oversight; staff said they will continue eviction prevention outreach and coordination with service partners where possible.
