Candidates address housing issue

The Ashland Community Land Trust and Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity broke ground this weekend on two new homes billed as affordable housing units for Ashland families.

The homes will be occupied by two families required to put in at least 500 hours of sweat equity into the construction of the units. To qualify, they must earn between $15,800 and $31,000 annually or have rent payments of more than 50 percent of their incomes.

Every candidate in the race for seats on the City Council has said creating more affordable housing is a priority, but many have differing ideas on how to affect this issue.

Marcos Ramirez blesses the site of his future home on Garfield Street with Holy Water from his church Saturday during a ground breaking ceremony. The house was provided by Habitat for Humanity.