Habitat for Humanity highlights local builds, repair program and Grandview project

Denise James, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of the Rogue Valley, addressed the Medford City Council on Nov. 5 about the affiliate’s local work and partnerships with the city.

James said Habitat has built and sold 85 homes since 1987 and outlined several city-partnership projects: a 10th Street infill that produced three homes after environmental reviews and a neighborhood stabilization program that produced six newly built homes and seven renovated homes. She described a HUD-funded lead-hazard remediation program that abated four homes and a growing repair program that provides ramps, porch repairs, roof work and heating repairs for homeowners in need.

On the Grandview project (referred to in the meeting as Grandview/Heavyview), James said the plan includes 14 homes with infrastructure work under way; she told the council the project has two housing opportunity fund grants supporting infrastructure and that the first house facing Grandview is complete. James said state grant deadlines have created time pressure for the first eight homes under a specific grant and that the project team is working to meet them.

James also explained why some repair projects require environmental review: projects using federal funds (for example CDBG) must undergo environmental review and staff clearance before work can proceed. She noted Habitat’s wide regional footprint — most builds have been in Medford, with projects also in Ashland, White City, Eagle Point and Central Point — and emphasized volunteer engagement and training programs the affiliate runs locally.

Next steps cited in James’s remarks included pending environmental reviews needed to authorize two additional repair projects and continuing reimbursements and coordination between Habitat and city staff on the Grandview infrastructure work.