As seems to be the case in just about every situation, in the midst of the trials and tribulations we are experiencing in the housing market and economy in general there are gleams of light. Working to further hone some positive perspective skills, I bravely decided I'd wade through today's newspaper, filters to stop negative input firmly in place.  Skipping over anything that appeared to be unsubstantiated "hype" and "doom", I moseyed on over to the topics that interest me, like the many outstanding community efforts my fellow Southern Oregonians are making.  Community efforts like the Rotary Club of Ashland Oregon's unanimous approval to support the renovation, reopening and ongoing financial support of the outdoor ice rink across from Lithia Park.

Being an advocate of affordable housing, my attention was caught by an article reporting on Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation's (RVCDC) need to go before the City Council of Medford to request approval to restructure a project on which they had been awarded Community Development Block Grant funds. As many homeowners and property owners have been humbled by the real estate market conditions, so too has this non-profit housing developer been humbled as hat in hands they respectfully requested approval to sell this 8 unit townhome project that was meant to be sold to low-income homeowners to a different organization that will use it as rentals for Veterans if they are approved for the funding they have requested for this acquisition.

This community development corporation has successfully built and/or renovated 38 homes to house low-income families throughout the Rogue Valley. In addition, they have been the developer selected to build the 15 affordable homes in Verde Village in Ashland Oregon, the first L.E.E.D. project of its kind. RVCDC has partnered with Youthbuild, further benefiting our community with the education and experience gained by the students participating in the Youthbuild program.

So, sadly 8 units will not become affordable homeownership units in the City of Medford Oregon afterall. Instead, hopefully Veterans in need who have given so much of themselves to us all will gain a resource.  That would be a nice ray of hope instead, don't you think?

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com