Monday, Jan 17 2011 10:35PM
The number of Oregon households without indoor plumbing has increased by 33 percent since 2000.
Over the last 10 years Oregon has experienced a spike in the number of homes that do not have adequate indoor plumbing, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
While the 2000 census calculated that 7,025 of the state's 1,452,709 residences did not have plumbing, the American Community Survey - conducted by the Census Bureau - found that in 2009, 9,397 of the 1,464,196 occupied homes lacked acceptable plumbing. That marks a 33 percent increase in households without indoor plumbing, a statistic that left some Oregon officials speechless, reported the Oregonian.
The Census Bureau defines "complete plumbing facilities" as piped hot and cold water, a flush toilet, and a bathtub or shower, the newspaper said.
Multnomah county had 2,355 homes without plumbing in 2009, the highest number out of the state's 36 counties. Clackamas, Deschutes, Marion and Washington counties also reported an increase in the number of homes without plumbing.
The state of Oregon and federal agencies offer various housing assistance programs to aid families who are in need of better quality residences. Section 8 housing, as well as a residential loan program that helps individuals buy their first home are both options available to low-to-moderate income Oregonians, reported the state's Housing and Community Services department.