Salem City Council targets land for affordable housing

The Salem City Council is preparing to vote on a plan to buy a piece of vacant land on Market Street NE for affordable housing. The property at 2445 Market St. NE has a troubled history. It was once considered one of "Salem's worst eyesore properties." The house on the land was abandoned and deteriorated for over ten years after a fire, receiving multiple complaints and being tagged as derelict. In 2023, the property was sold for $650,000, and the damaged house was demolished in 2024. Now, city officials want to purchase the .94-acre lot, located between Evergreen Avenue and 23rd Street, for $750,000. The idea is to build affordable housing to help low-income families find stable living conditions. City staff say this project aligns with Salem's goals of increasing affordable housing and addressing housing shortages. The city plans to use federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for this development. The City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will take place at the Salem Civic Center. Residents can attend in person or watch online. There are also options for public comments, either in person or via email and Zoom.