Medford, Oregon– The City of Medford is celebrating the early successes of its homeless prevention program, funded by the City Council’s Community Initiative Fund (CCIF). This initiative marks a strategic use of marijuana tax revenues to bolster local community projects, aligning closely with the Council’s Biennial Goals.
In September 2023, the City Council earmarked $311,500 from local and state marijuana taxes through CCIF to support various community-driven endeavors. Among the recipients, the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon (CCCS) received a $35,000 grant aimed at aiding individuals at risk of financial distress, which could lead to homelessness.
Founded in 1971, CCCS stands as the region’s largest non-profit credit counseling agency. The $35,000 grant has been instrumental in financing services geared towards preventing eviction and homelessness through comprehensive financial education and credit counseling programs, all provided at no cost to participants.
Since its launch a year ago, the program has successfully averted homelessness for 23 clients. CCCS CEO Bill Ihle likened the initiative to a “preventative financial effort, much like a financial flu shot,” emphasizing its focus on intensive, personalized credit counseling, housing counseling, debt-management enrollment, and crucial financial education.
“We are very pleased with the tremendous results we are seeing in our program’s first year,” Ihle noted. “Medford has experienced firsthand the detrimental effects of homelessness on city services, taxpayer funds, and families. These outcomes demonstrate that through targeted financial education, housing counseling, and credit management, we can proactively address this issue. This program benefits everyone: taxpayers, City services, and most importantly, the families involved.”
In its inaugural year, the program enrolled 120 clients, with 100 returning for multiple sessions to solidify their financial stability. Ten clients have successfully reduced their personal debt through CCCS’s debt management programs. Notably, 90 clients hailed from extremely low-income backgrounds, underscoring the program’s critical role in supporting the community’s most vulnerable members.
“The success of CCCS’s program underscores the positive impact of the Council Community Initiative Fund,” remarked Mayor Randy Sparacino. “By directing these funds towards essential community services, the City is making significant strides in mitigating and preventing homelessness, ultimately benefiting the entire community.”
The City of Medford remains committed to expanding initiatives that enhance community welfare and address key socio-economic challenges, leveraging resources in innovative ways to foster a stronger, more resilient local community.
Source: City of Medford
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