Housing plays a critical role in laying a foundation for success for all health improvement efforts. Safe and affordable housing in Klamath Falls has become increasingly scarce, as wages and rental vacancy have failed to keep up with rising costs of the rental housing market. Given all we know about the importance of housing to health, the current housing environment in Klamath County has the potential to widen and exacerbate health disparities and inequities that impact people with fewer support and financial resources. As approximately 23.1% of residents in Klamath County live in poverty, with insufficient income to pay market-rate rents, the availability of quality, affordable housing is a health concern.
cascade.png?1647295586654Year 1 and 2 Progress Update
Lead Agency: Cascade Health Alliance
The housing task force focused on multi-sector partnerships to increase housing availability and affordability. A major issue identified through task force meetings was renters who were lacking life skills and unable to maintain residence in rental properties. Cascade Health Alliance (CHA) partnered with Klamath Housing Authority to launch the Ready to Rent program, which was a training program for first time renters or those who were blacklisted to gain skills to become a high functioning renter. As a result, some landlords agreed to give second chances to renters who had successfully completed the program.
CHA also worked with traditional health workers on housing skills for their clients.  Significant grant funds were secured to support traditional health worker training modules, rent reporting, and rental assistance for Oregon Health Plan members. CHA supported the Klamath Project Homefront through the SHARE (Supporting Health for All through RE-investment) Initiative. The housing task force partnered with CHA, the City of Klamath Falls and Klamath County to secure $1 million commitments incentive package for the Klamath Revitalization Fund. They also partnered with Klamath and Lake Community Action Services to support the Point in Time Count, which helps quantify and track homelessness in the community. As with other CHIP committees, staff turnover and COVID restrictions impacted progress towards goals.
Housing

Copyright 2018 Annabel Clark. Courtesy of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

What does the data say?

We've gathered together 3 key comparisons to help us see the big picture.

Overview

Klamath County renters are spending more on average than in Oregon and the U.S. overall.
More than half of renters in Klamath County are spending more than 30% of their household income on rent, a higher rate than the national average. The more households spend on rent, the less money there is for other necessities. 

Renters Spending 30% or More of Household Income on Rent

Compared to OR Counties, Klamath has a value of 51.0% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 46.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 51.6%. Compared to OR Counties, Klamath has a value of 51.0% which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 46.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 51.6%.
(Compared to OR Counties)
Compared to the OR Value (50.9%), Klamath has a value of 51.0% which is higher and worse. Compared to the OR Value (50.9%), Klamath has a value of 51.0% which is higher and worse.
(Compared to OR State Value)
Compared to the US Value (49.9%), Klamath has a value of 51.0% which is higher and worse. Compared to the US Value (49.9%), Klamath has a value of 51.0% which is higher and worse.
(Compared to U.S. Value)

County: Klamath

GOAL

Establish adequate supply of ownership and rental housing that is healthy, affordable, safe and equitable for all income levels.

 
Objective 1: Form a housing task force focused on infrastructure and programs needs by June 2020

Strategy 1: Convene stakeholders

Dec
2023

  • Task 1: Work with community stakeholders to convene housing stakeholder committee

    Process Measure: Number of stakeholder participants, initiatives, and diversification.
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020
    28 stakeholder participants, initiatives, and diversification 31 stakeholder participants, initiatives, and diversification 31 stakeholder participants, initiatives, and diversification 31 stakeholder participants, initiatives, and diversification
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Completed Year 1
     

  • Task 2: Work with stakeholders to inventory program and infrastructure needs assessment

    Process Measure: Inventory of infrastructure and program needs assessment.
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020
    Not yet started In-progress. The City of Klamath Falls published a housing needs assessment in 2019, we are working to refine the results with KCEDA. 
    Infrastructure: Complete
    Programs: In-Progress
    		 Complete: Through Healthy Klamath Connect, we have been able to inventory housing programs, There are 74 local, state, and national services and programs available currently in the system.
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Completed Year 1

Strategy 2: Identify best practices

Dec
2023

  • Task 1: Work with Rogue Valley and Deschutes County community housing tasks force to identify best practices

    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020
    Not yet started On hold Complete Complete
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Completed Year 1

  • Task 2: Create best practice guidelines specific to Klamath County

    Process Measure: Standardized guidelines.
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020
    Not yet started On hold Complete Complete
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Completed Year 1
     

Strategy 3: Identify and advocate for policy and implementation changes

Dec
2023

  • Task 1: Inventory and define state and local policy

    Process Measure: Number policy developed.
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020
    In progress In progress No longer a need No longer a need
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Completed Year 1

  • Task 2: Develop and implement county-wide policies

    Process Measure: Number policy developed.
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020
    In progress 1-implementation of the changes No longer a need No longer a need
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Completed Year 1

Objective 2: Implement a variety of housing education programs geared to housing assistance and renter education by June 30, 2023

Strategy 1: Increase knowledge among renters and THW about housing supports. (Year 2)

Dec
2023

  • Task 1: Host THW programs to Klamath County and implement housing modules

    Process Measure: Training offering
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    No activity this quarter
    CHA sponsored a doula training March 19-21st and 26-28th. 
    CHA was awarded $57K grant to bring THW trainings to Klamath County and implement housing modules
    		 No activity this quarter No new information
    Oct-Dec 2021
    Jan-Mar 2022
    		 Apr-June 2022 July-Sept 2022
    No activity this quarter
     

  • Task 2: Implement 'Ready to Rent' program

    Process Measure: Number of Clinic sites with CHW specific for housing.
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Program launched Completed Year 1
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    Completed Year 1

  • Task 3: Implement a community wide clean-up program with educational materials.

    Process Measure: Number of initiatives completed
     
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    On hold due to COVID On hold due to COVID No activity this quarter No new information
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    On hold due to COVID

Strategy 2: Increase opportunities to build self suffiency and financial well-being through housing rent reporting.

Dec
2023

  • Task 1: Implement renting reporting through Credit Bureau Alliance.

    Progress Measure: Program launched
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    No activity this quarter Presented to the Housing Committee and KHA leadership staff Received $14K in funding to support rent reporting. We are currently looking for a lead rental agency to pilot the project.  No new information
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-June 2022 July-Sept 2022
    Program launched The Rent Reporting through Credit Bureau Alliance was unable to be implemented due to high cost and staff capacity challenges at KHA.

  • Task 2: Implement 'Sustainable Housing' program through CHA HRS Funding

    Process Measure: Program launched
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Built HRS specific funding infrastructure Launched program Completed No new information
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Program launched Completed Year 2
     
     

Strategy 3: Point in Time Count

Dec
2023

  • Task 1: Accurately capture Klamath County residents experiencing homelessness through Point-in-Time count.

    Process Measure: Number counted
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    No activity. This activity occurs annually in late January.
     

Objective 3: Expand infrastructure needs by 2023

Strategy 1: Develop recruitment incentive package for Klamath Revitalization Fund

Dec
2023

  • Task 1: Build local support and fund recruitment

    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    Completed Year 1
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    Interviewing Potential Construction Companies.  Continue to Secure Property for the KRF

  • Task 2: Support incentive fund growth and recruitment

    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    No activity this quarter  Testified to the governor for additional matching support No activity this quarter No new information
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    Klamath Revitalization Housing Fund is closed The KRF fund is closed and there are 5 houses under construction

  • Task 3: Work with Private Equity funders to develop housing projects

    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    No activity this quarter No activity this quarter No activity this quarter No new information
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    No activity this quarter No activity this quarter

Strategy 2: Implement affordable housing opportunities

Dec
2023

  • Task 1: Support Project Turnkey

    Progress Measure: Grant database.
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    CHA released first tranche of funds to this project in line with the contract.
     

  • Task 2: Support KHA tax credit application

    Process Measure: Reward of tax credits
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    No activity this quarter No activity this quarter No activity this quarter No new information
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    No new information
     

  • Task 3: Increase rental assistance program

    Process Measure: Funding allowed for rental assistances
     
    Quarterly Tracking
    Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021
    CHA donated $50K to build the program Klamath County was selected to receive $5M in support from COVID funding to assist in rental assistance.  Currently marketing the program and disseminating funds.  No new information
    Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022
    With new funding sources through CHA HRS Fundings, CARES Funding, and the American Recovery Plan Act, rental assistance will be an on-going activity to support renters in need. KLCAS provides rental assistance year-round and has distributed additional CARES, COVID response and ARPA funds. KLCAS will be incorporating an eviction prevention element to program delivery, planned implementation is July 1, 2022

Adults Over 35 Pay a Higher Percentage

light blue chart bars No significant difference with the overall value

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