A new initiative set to launch in Southern Oregon aims to bridge deep divides and address one of the region’s most pressing issues: housing and homelessness. Urban Rural Action (URA), a national, non-partisan non-profit organization, is bringing together Oregonians across political, racial, generational, and geographic differences to collaborate on solving critical challenges faced by local communities.
In 2025, URA will focus its efforts on tackling housing and homelessness in Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath counties. The program’s goal is to unite Oregonians—referred to as “Uniters”—to work collectively and create impactful solutions through dialogue, relationship-building, and community-driven project implementation. URA believes that collaboration across divides is essential to tackling the complex issues of housing insecurity and homelessness, which have reached crisis levels in many parts of Southern Oregon.
The 2025 program will officially kick off on April 12, 2025, in Medford, Oregon. Over the course of several months, participants will meet regularly, engaging in both in-person and virtual sessions that focus on building trust, understanding, and actionable plans. The group will also engage in deep analysis of the housing crisis, discussing potential causes and identifying ways to provide sustainable solutions. By the program’s conclusion in November 2025, the cohort of Oregon Uniters will have designed and implemented a specific project in collaboration with local community partners, aiming to make tangible progress on housing and homelessness in their counties.
As a participant in the URA’s mission, I serve as the Program Support for Oregon, working to ensure the success of this ambitious program and supporting Uniters throughout the process. In addition to providing valuable opportunities for engagement, the program offers a $500 stipend to each participant as compensation for their time and commitment. This stipend allows individuals from a variety of backgrounds and communities to take part in the program without financial barriers.
One of the unique aspects of URA’s approach is its focus on fostering collaboration across political and social divides. With housing and homelessness being topics that often spark contentious debates, URA encourages civil discourse and problem-solving among people who might otherwise never work together. By creating an inclusive space where diverse viewpoints can coexist and be heard, URA is setting the stage for meaningful change that can resonate across the region and beyond.
In Southern Oregon, the housing crisis has grown dire in recent years, with rising rents, a shortage of affordable housing, and an increasing number of people experiencing homelessness. The pandemic exacerbated existing issues, and the situation has only worsened with the economic instability and growing population. Local governments and organizations have been working tirelessly to address these issues, but there is a need for greater collaboration and innovative solutions that transcend political and social divisions.
URA’s program offers a platform for Oregonians to come together and create the kind of real, community-driven solutions that can make a lasting difference. The 2025 program will empower participants to think critically about the challenges they face and, more importantly, work together on initiatives that directly benefit their communities. With the support of URA, local leaders and concerned citizens will be able to bring new ideas to the table, strengthen their relationships with one another, and build momentum for long-term change.
The upcoming program in Southern Oregon is part of a broader effort by URA to unite Americans across divides in other regions of the country, with similar programs in other states. By facilitating productive conversations and collaborative action, URA seeks to address some of the nation’s most urgent challenges in ways that are inclusive, sustainable, and impactful.
For those interested in learning more about the 2025 program and how to get involved, visit the official URA website at www.uraction.org. You can also explore the URA’s Southern Oregon projects from 2024 at here.
This initiative represents a powerful opportunity for Southern Oregonians to take action and work together to resolve one of the region’s most significant challenges—housing and homelessness—by uniting around shared goals and creating lasting, positive change for all.