On the agenda: Council to pick location for micro shelters for homeless

Whitney Woodworth, Salem Statesman Journal
·4 min read
On of the doors of a micro shelter painted by artists volunteering their time on display at Venti's Cafe in downtown Salem.
On of the doors of a micro shelter painted by artists volunteering their time on display at Venti's Cafe in downtown Salem.

Salem City Council is set to take action Monday on the city's plan to address homelessness — and how to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal and state funds.

Last year, the city received a one-time $10.5 million allocation from the Oregon Legislature for sheltering and $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for managing and responding to homelessness issues.

On Monday, the council will move forward on spending a portion of those funds.

Councilors will vote to use of one of three locations as micro-shelter villages.

The three sites are:

  • In South Salem, on nonprofit land at 2410 Turner Road SE owned by current micro-shelter operator Church at the Park. The nonprofit already operates a navigation and Safe Park site on the land near Cascades Gateway Park.

  • Privately owned property on the northwest corner of Front and Hood streets NE. The land is vacant and zoned for industrial use.

  • Privately owned property at 1280 Center St. NE on vacant land across from the downtown Safeway.

During Monday's vote, the council will choose one of the sites to use as the Village of Hope, replacing the current site on Portland Road near the former DMV building.

Of $392,000 in state sheltering grants, $200,000 would be used for start-up expenses at the site and $192,000 would be used for operational costs.

The micro shelter buildings are already funded following a community effort to raise $600,000 in donations — enough for 120 shelters. Despite having enough funds, the city has struggled to find land to host the villages.

Previous coverage: $600K donated. Homeless now wait for city to find land for micro shelters

The two sites not selected during Monday's meeting could be used for future micro shelter villages.

Flowers are painted on the doors of micro shelters at Church at the Park on Dec. 17, 2021, in Salem, Ore.
Flowers are painted on the doors of micro shelters at Church at the Park on Dec. 17, 2021, in Salem, Ore.

Two villages are currently in operation in north Salem. But the Portland Road former DMV site is set to close this year due to zoning conflicts.

Earlier this month, city officials listed five proposed sites in north, south and central Salem with the hope of opening at least two new villages.

The shelters would prioritize women and people over the age of 55.

The other locations considered were the city-owned Peace Plaza at 555 Liberty St. SE at the space between the Salem Public Library and City Hall, and privately owned property at 1940 Fairgrounds Road NE.

City will also vote on towing funds to tackle unsafe RV camping sites

In the same motion, council will vote on whether to allocate $200,000 in state funds for towing services to address unsafe and unmanaged RV camping sites.

"Some unmanaged RV camping situations are unsafe given mold and failing flooring," city officials said in an informational report. "Other vehicles are abandoned in neighborhoods and other public spaces."

"Others do not leave despite formal notifications to do so. Our response is falling behind community expectations to enforce code compliance to maintain and preserve these spaces."

With towing companies at capacity and few local options available, the city is forced to spend up to $4,000 per vehicle to tow up to Portland for dismantling and recycling.

"Long term, the City is seeking a local, financially sustainable alternative solution," city officials said. "Short term, funds are needed to ensure the ability to access towing services."

A public meeting is also on the agenda for Monday's meeting to discuss changes to the criteria for major, city-initiated comprehensive plan map amendments.

Other agenda items include:

  • A grant agreement between the city and housing authority for pass-through funds to extend housing voucher outreach and the Homeless Rental Assistance Program.

  • Approval for guidelines for the North Gateway Urban Renewal Area Strategic Project Grant Program, a new grant to offer financial support to property owners for safety and security projects

  • An annual report from Travel Salem

Explainer: What are the rules around public meetings and public comment in Oregon?

The meeting is at 6 p.m. It is virtual and can be watched at Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish.

Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or pre-register between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem City Council to pick location for micro shelters for homeless