Members of the Hybrid Real Estate team hard at work on the renovations to the Alder House
Kelly & Bryan Ranstad of Eugene (owners of Hybrid Real Estate Agency) recently purchased and renovated a house near UO campus for the purposes of renting each of the 9 units to youth clients from Looking Glass’ Transitional Housing Program which helps find housing and pay rent for formerly unhoused youth in Lane County for up to 2 years. Finding property managers and owners who are able and willing to rent to this population had proven quite challenging, so having an entire apartment complex to fill up was welcomed news to Looking Glass staff.
“Everyone is aware how affordable housing is difficult to secure,” explained Looking Glass President & CEO Craig Opperman. “Imagine if you were an unhoused youth with few, if any, references, credit or money for deposits/furnishings, etc. This partnership with Hybrid Real Estate enables Looking Glass to safely house those youth so they can complete school, gain employment and have a productive future. We cannot thank Kelly and Bryan and their agents enough for improving the lives of these youth, and developing a healthier community for us all!”
Bryan and Kelly Ranstad
The apartment complex, located on Alder Street, and the effort to remodel each unit and also furnish and provide additional donations such as clothes and food, became a real passion project for the real estate agents involved. In addition to exterior building improvements, the units had new flooring and windows installed, upgraded hardware and appliances and the efforts by the Ranstad’s and the Hybrid agents seem to only be getting started.
“Coming from the real estate industry, we know stable, secure housing is incredibly important,” Said Kelly Ranstad. “We are extremely honored to partner with Looking Glass and provide the housing that allows them to continue their very important work. Hybrid Real Estate has been so blessed by the amazing support of our community; It is extremely important to us that we give back in a substantial, meaningful way.”
Looking Glass has already received several cash donations dedicated to supporting this project and related needs but hopes to continue to secure donations of in-kind goods for the units and funds to be able to provide food and other support to the transitional housing clients who will occupy these units and eventually move out into housing of their own as new formerly unhoused youth cycle through.
Donations can be made to this project via the online form on this web page or via check or cash donation made at the Looking Glass admin office at 1790 West 11th Ave, Ste. 200.
An open house is planned to celebrate the group’s efforts on the remodel and the generous donations of items on Thursday, October 28th from 2 to 6pm. To RSVP for this gathering, please contact Looking Glass Marketing & Development Director, Tyler Mack at tyler.mack@lookingglass.us.
Additionally, an online silent auction is in the process of being setup with funds to go towards supporting youth at the Alder House. The online auction will take place in the days leading up to the open house.