Gov Kotek Attends Grand Opening of New Housing Development for Almeda Fire Survivors

Medford, Oregon- In a step towards addressing Oregon’s housing crisis, Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson attended the grand opening of New Spirit Village, a new housing development dedicated to families displaced by wildfires in Jackson County. The event saw the presence of local leaders including Representative Pam Marsh (Ashland), Medford Mayor Randy Sparacino, Kathryn and Barry Thalden from the Thalden Foundation, and other key project leaders.

The ceremony, highlighted by a ribbon-cutting event, was followed by a tour of the development led by the Governor and the First Lady. Governor Kotek emphasized the importance of innovative housing solutions in her remarks. “My administration is laser-focused on our state’s housing crisis because we know that having safe, affordable housing is the foundation for Oregonians building healthy and full lives,” Governor Kotek stated. “Part of the solution must include permanent housing for Oregonians who lost their homes because of wildfires. The innovative approach taken here at New Spirit Village represents exactly the kind of creative thinking and community-mindedness that we need to tackle a challenge of this magnitude.”

The idea for New Spirit Village arose in the aftermath of the devastating 2020 Almeda Wildfire. Kathryn and Barry Thalden dedicated substantial funds from The Thalden Foundation to initiate the project, and more than 20 community service organizations collaborated in the planning and development. The initiative received a boost from a State of Oregon LIFT Grant amounting to $4,300,000, supplemented by private contributions from United Way, PacificCorp Foundation, and the Oregon Community Foundation.

Construction of New Spirit Village began in March 2024. Upon completion, the development will feature 87 single-family homes, available in one, two, and three-bedroom configurations. The pricing of these homes is designed to be accessible, with costs kept below $195,000 for a one-bedroom and under $249,000 for a three-bedroom—remarkably affordable compared to the average home price of $463,000 in the region.

The 6.1-acre site is located in west Medford, on Meadows Lane, just south and east of the West Main Street and Lozier intersection. It is within two blocks of shopping, including drug store and grocery stores, and is one block from bus transportation. The site is was originally vacant and already zoned for appropriately high-density housing. Immediately contiguous to the site is the 8-acre Lewis Park, with walking trails, wooded creek, and athletic fields and courts.

The opening of New Spirit Village marks a hopeful chapter for families affected by wildfires, offering a beacon of stability and community resilience.