Oregon has filed a lawsuit against two companies that allegedly mishandled the construction of homes for survivors of the Jackson County wildfires.
The lawsuit was filed on November 20 by Oregon Housing and Community Services OHCS against Pacific Housing Partners and Nashua Homes of Idaho, two companies based in Idaho. In 2021, OHCS had agreed to pay these companies over $20 million to build 140 modular homes for those who lost their homes in the 2020 Almeda Fire, which destroyed many buildings in the Rogue Valley.
However, state officials found that the first group of homes delivered was poorly built and not suitable for people to live in. Oregon state Representative Pam Marsh described the homes as “extraordinarily poorly constructed” and not meeting reasonable building standards.
The lawsuit lists at least 50 examples of poor workmanship, such as problems with the roof installation and failure to seal areas to prevent water damage.
Marsh said the legal action was expected, adding that it was important to hold the manufacturers accountable for delivering such a bad product. The lawsuit also claims that Pacific Housing Partners didn’t get a required $5 million umbrella insurance policy for the project.
Oregon is asking for over $11.7 million in damages due to contract violations and negligence. OHCS said it cannot comment on the ongoing legal case, and the two companies have not responded to requests for comment.
The state is now working with a builder in Klamath Falls to provide homes for wildfire survivors who have been without stable housing since the Labor Day fires four years ago.