ROSEBURG, Ore. (KMTR) – The doors opening up for the first time on a brand new affordable housing project in
Northeast Roseburg.
The United Community Action Network, or UCAN, celebrated completion of its latest project today, “Esperanza Circle,” with an open house at the property in northeast Roseburg. “Esperanza” is a Spanish word, meaning “hope” in English.
The six unit complex, located on Dorwin Avenue, will eventually house six low income families. Two units have already been set aside for two Roseburg-area homeless families.
One of the elements that will keep “Esperanza Circle” affordable for tenants, and cost minimal for UCAN, is the complex’s green, energy efficient design.
UCAN estimates that 60% of the electricity used by tenants in the complex will be generated through solar panels mounted on the building. The building is also full of energy star appliances, compact fluorescent light bulbs and large windows. Water heaters are also solar powered.
Because of the energy efficient features, UCAN estimates it will be able to cut utility costs nearly in half of what they’d be in an older apartment complex. In turn, those cost savings can be funneled into keeping rent low, and helping more families.
“We're actually finding people that 3 years ago were home owners and today they're homeless and so it's a real, real incredible need in this area that we have housing that's affordable, housing that's safe, and a place where people can raise their children and feel good about it,” says Jody Ahlstedt, Resource and Development Director for UCAN.
UCAN already owns and operates several other similar affordable housing complexes in Douglas County and its planning on building more. In the coming months, crews will begin construction on “Trillium Terrace,” an eight unit complex that will be built on Lookingglass Road, west of Roseburg.
