From left: Ricky (Looking Glass maintenance manager), Sam Gutierrez (housing navigator/manager), Austin Folnagy (property owner), and Maleigha Myers (Director of Homeless Youth Services) stand in front of a home owned by Austin and leased to several Looking Glass transitional living youth clients.
Finding affordable, safe, quality housing is a challenge for a lot of people in Eugene and broader Lane County, but especially so for youth with limited rental history and sometimes criminal history. So it is particularly special to Looking Glass when a local community member agrees to long-term rental partnerships. Austin Folnagy is the most recent example of a willing and supportive landlord who enthusiastically embraces the opportunity to rent an entire complex to Looking Glass youth.
“It’s a way to give back, for sure,” Folnagy explained. “It’s a business, for sure, but by working with Looking Glass in this way, it’s a way to do good in our community too.”
Austin Folnagy in front of a house he owns in Eugene, purchased and renovated with the intent of leasing all units to Looking Glass transitional living youth clients.
Folnagy has already been leasing a separate housing complex (with 5 units, 7 beds) in north Eugene and now offers another 5-unit house with multiple bedrooms and a communal kitchen and fenced backyard in a 2-year agreement with Looking Glass. Looking Glass Housing Navigator, Sam Gutierrez, has an office on-site and provides ongoing case management to the youth who live there.
“It’s not always going to be easy, “ Folnagy said of the apartment leasing partnership with Looking Glass. “There will always be challenges - but it’s a process to help the unhoused - providing security, case management, basic needs, but none of that is possible without a home. And I’ve been so impressed with every single staff person from Looking Glass.”
Folnagy is in the process of securing a 3rd complex to lease exclusively to Looking Glass clients, in south Eugene this time. Each of these housing purchases Folnagy has made has been with the express intent of leasing all units to Looking Glass.
“Working with people like Austin, it changes everything for our kids,” Looking Glass Homeless Youth Services Director Maleigha Myers said. “Having a nice, safe place to call home makes all the difference for the youth we work with and we are so grateful to be working with Austin.”
Looking Glass has federal funding and other grants that provide paid rent for youth clients for up to 2 years. The Transitional Living Program includes ongoing case management, ensuring the youth clients show accountability and the rent is always on time. If any property owners or managers have interest in learning more about this program and possibly renting to one of our youth clients, please contact New Roads staff at nr@lookingglass.us.
The 5-unit house in the Country Club road area of Eugene will be used for Looking Glass transitional living youth clients.