Medford Planning Department Report Highlights New Homes, Hotels, and Affordable Housing Progress

MEDFORD, Ore. — Medford’s Public Involvement Program showcased growth, development, and community involvement with the Planning Department’s draft year-end report on Monday during the Planning Commission review. New builds and steps towards more affordable housing were highlighted.

The report, which sets out the roles of the City Council and its committees and commissions, outlines how the public can be involved in land use and planning projects and describes different land use types.

Covering 2023 and 2024, the report indicates that:

• 1,288 new dwelling units were approved
• 998 residential building permits were issued, 433 new hotel rooms were approved
• 849 lots were created
• 553,743 square feet of new commercial and industrial building space were approved
• Grants of $137,837 were awarded to the Kelly Shelter and the Crossings
• The remodeling and expansion of the Medford Navigation Center continued as an ongoing project
• $1.4 million was allocated to fund affordable housing development through the Housing Opportunity Fund, which will create 82 affordable housing units and eight beds for transitional housing.

Annual meetings on Rent Burden were held, and the commission hosted Open Streets events. Two Citizen Academy meetings to educate participants about planning were also presented during the period.

The department plans to host another Open Streets event, update the City’s Economic Element, and provide permit-ready plans for middle housing. The finalized report will be made available on the Planning Department’s website.