McKENZIE RIVER – Lane County and the McKenzie Valley Long Term Recovery Group (MVLTRG) are providing 11 new manufactured homes on McKenzie River Valley properties to house families devastated by the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire.
The first home was placed in May, and three more homes were placed in September. Two more homes will be placed in December, and the five remaining homes are expected to be placed early in 2025.
The MVLTRG coordinated the process to match fire survivors with homes in this program. Fire survivors who are 62 or older or living with a disability and in temporary housing since their homes were destroyed in the fire were prioritized. The homes were also outfitted with appliances and other furnishings. Ownership of the manufactured homes will be transferred to the receiving families.
“It has been a struggle for many families to stay on the river after the Holiday Farm Fire,” said Mary Ellen Wheeler, MVLTRG project manager. “For four years since the fire, they have had to live in RVs due to a lack of any affordable housing alternative. The gulf between available insurance payments or financial assistance and what it truly costs to rebuild would be insurmountable for many without this program.”
Robert Campbell and Cassidy Campbell in front of Robert’s new home.
Robert Campbell, 73, lost his home in the Holiday Farm Fire and recently moved into his new home this fall. Campbell, whose grandson will join him at home, has lived on his property in the McKenzie River Valley since 2003.
“I don’t know how to thank everyone who helped me,” said Campbell. “I have never been one to ask for help, but somehow I found myself standing in line and getting more help than I deserved.”
“Being able to partner with the Long Term Recovery Group on this effort was a game-changer,” said Heather Buch, Lane County Commissioner. “Lane County received the state’s funding, but the Long Term Recovery Group had deep connections with fire survivors and a community network that allowed them to reach out to people who could most meaningfully benefit.”
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) provided Lane County with funding as part of its Oregon State Wildfire Recovery Funding, which the Legislature allocated for housing-related wildfire recovery.
