Housing, Homelessness & Affordability

Factual background and legislative updates on key issues facing Jackson County.

Senate District 3—including Medford, Ashland, Jacksonville, Talent, and Phoenix—is facing one of the most severe housing and affordability crises in Oregon. Over the last decade, housing production in the Rogue and Applegate valleys has lagged behind population growth, resulting in a dramatic spike in home prices and rental rates. This has been severely worsened by the loss of thousands of residential units during the 2020 Almeda Fire, which destroyed a significant portion of the affordable housing stock in Talent and Phoenix, placing unprecedented strain on the local market.

In response, cities across the Rogue Valley have taken different approaches to managed campgrounds, emergency shelter funding, and public camping regulations. These local policies frequently ignite debates over municipal control, property rights, and the balance between providing compassionate services and maintaining public spaces. Finding a consensus requires listening to all perspectives, from local renters and unhoused individuals to homeowners and business operators in both our larger cities and smaller agricultural towns.

As our communities look to the future, we must decide where to direct state and local resources. Should the focus be on expanding permanent supportive housing, enforcing stricter camping regulations, or removing regulatory barriers to accelerate private residential construction in the valley?

Deep Dives & Specific Topics

This is a broad issue. Select a specific topic below to explore the details and share your feedback on that specific area: