Ashland City Council Will Decide Fate of Temporary Homeless Shelter at a Meeting Tomorrow
ASHLAND, Ore. — The fate of the 2200 Ashland St. property acquired last year to house homeless people during emergencies and severe weather conditions will be decided by the City Council at a study session Tuesday evening.
UPDATE: 2200 Ashland Street Will Not Become A Permanent Homeless Shelter
Ashland City Council’s Dilemma
The city council now faces a dilemma after receiving an offer of funding from Oregon state to operate the premises as a permanent shelter rather than only during severe weather conditions. The building will require extensive renovations and temporarily housing homeless people in hotels and other suitable locations.
The city council bought the property last year and received $1 million from ACCESS, which prescribed it operate as a 30-bed emergency and severe weather shelter project.
Read: Ashland’s Emergency Shelter May Lower Temperature Threshold
In February, the city council learned that the state had allocated $1.8 million for renovations to 2200 Ashland St. and a further $800,000 to provide homeless people with alternative accommodation during the building operations. The funding will extend operations as a shelter until mid-2025 and for another 10 years if the state provides further financial assistance.
The Interim Deputy City Manager, Sabrina Cotta, will present the findings of a report to the council meeting. The city council will have to weigh three possible outcomes.
- Accept State funds and renovate the building so that 2200 Ashland St. can continue to operate as a shelter. The city council will also have to provide 30 additional beds to meet the expectations of ACCESS.
- Turn down state funding and stop using the Ashland Street building as a shelter.
- Work with Access to find alternative uses of the funds so that the building can continue as a homeless shelter in the community.
Cotta’s report points out that Ashland’s building codes specify different requirements for temporary and permanent shelters.
- 200 square feet per occupant is required for permanent shelters. At present, and based on 2200 Ashland St’s layout and size, only 13 people can be accommodated.
- 35 square feet per occupant is required for temporary severe weather shelters, restricted to 90 days within a 12-month cycle.
Tuesday’s study session meeting is open to the public and, if preferred, can be attended remotely via Channels 9, 180, or 181 (Charter Communications). The meeting can also be streamed live via rvtv.sou.edu on RVTV Prime.
Public testimony will be accepted either via Zoom, in person or in writing. Anyone wishing to sign up for public comment must complete a public testimony form. Visit the references below.
References
https://www.ashland.or.us/SIB/files/City%20Council/CC_Study_SessionAgenda-ITEM_Shelter_Final.pdf
