This week, Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson attended the grand opening of New Spirit Village, a new housing development dedicated to fire-victim families in Southern Oregon. They were joined by Representative Pam Marsh (Ashland), Medford Mayor Randy Sparacino, Kathryn and Barry Thalden from the Thalden Foundation, and other leaders of the project. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Governor and First Lady toured the development.

“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 said. “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.”

After the 2020 Almeda Wildfire, Kathryn and Barry Thalden dedicated a significant portion of The Thalden Foundation funds to the construction of New Spirit Village, and more than 20 community service organizations joined in the planning and development. Funding for the project included a State of Oregon LIFT Grant of $4,300,000, as well as private funds from United Way, PacificCorp Foundation, and the Oregon Community Foundation.

Construction at New Spirit Village began in March 2024, and once complete, will have 87 single family one, two, and three-bedroom homes. The price of homes will be below $195,000 for a one-bedroom and below $249,000 for a three-bedroom in an area where the average home price is $463,000.