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Jacob's Lane,
Eugene, Oregon

The development of Jacob's Lane has transformed a once blighted area into an attractive neighborhood.

Eugene, Oregon, is a city of 130,000 people in the middle of the western part of the state. Although its economy has been strong, incomes have remained relatively low, while rents have risen considerably over the past decade, creating a severe housing affordability problem, particularly for renter households. By the late 1990s, more than 80 percent of households with incomes of 50 percent of median or less were experiencing housing problems.

At the same time, like other Oregon cities, Eugene has established an urban growth boundary to contain sprawl. New housing developments must be located within the boundary and must meet population density requirements. Consequently, most new residential development occurs on infill sites and must be sensitive to the surrounding community.

In this context, beginning in 1997, the Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County developed Jacob's Lane, an 80-unit project on a four-acre site in west Eugene. The area was unattractive and economically depressed, compared with other parts of the city. Its zoning encouraged commercial and light industrial uses, and there were few sites appropriate for residential development. Nevertheless, working with the city and county as well as several other partners, the housing authority planned a development that would meet the needs of various types of low- and moderate-income households and help revitalize the area.

Jacob's Lane contains 80 dwelling units, including 31 units for families, 18 units for seniors, and 14 units for single people or small families. A half-acre partition includes 17 additional units for adults with psychiatric disabilities. The development incorporates a variety of building types: townhouse duplexes for families with children, apartments for single people or small households, and fourplexes designed for seniors. The project includes a community building, a Senior Nutrition program site, a child-oriented commons area, a small park, and community gardens and orchards.

Although the density of Jacob's Lane is approximately 20 units per acre, it incorporates significant open space. The Senior Nutrition site is a magnet for the residents of nearby elderly housing developments, and the small courtyard that faces it has become a lively gathering place.

The building design incorporates front porches, balconies, front yards, courtyards, and entries. All parking is off-street. Recycled and environmentally sound products were used extensively in the construction of Jacob's Lane. An erosion control plan was implemented during construction, permanent onsite rainwater retention was provided, and irrigation wells were installed to handle onsite watering. Heating and insulation were designed in accordance with the Eugene Water and Electric Board's "Good Cents" conservation standards.

Construction began in January 1997 and was completed in April 1999. The project has been fully occupied since its completion and has a long waiting list.

The total cost of Jacob's Lane was $5,528,748--approximately $87,700 per unit. Funding sources for the project included HOME, a Community Development Block Grant, other local and state funds, low-income housing tax credits, permanent financing from Bank of America, and investment equity from the Enterprise Social Investment Corporation.

An aesthetically pleasing, pedestrian-friendly design and multiple community amenities make Jacob's Lane attractive and lively. The project has also provided affordable housing opportunities to a broad range of households and enlivened a previously deteriorated part of the community. Jacob's Lane clearly demonstrates what can be accomplished when a housing authority is willing to bring together a variety of resources to meet a variety of housing needs.

Contact: James R. McCoy, Development Director,
Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County,
541-682-3755, jmccoy@hacsa.lane.or.us