Homeless Services Center

Jefferson County Faith Based Network Future Homeless Services Center

WHY A CENTER IS NEEDED:

Communities across the state are experiencing dramatic impacts of homelessness. In Central Oregon, the number of adults living on the streets, under bridges, or in cars increased by 25.8% in 2017 - 2018. In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3115 essentially stating cities cannot enforce laws removing homeless citizens from any public space (parks, sidewalks, etc.) unless there is a shelter for them.

For the last few years, the Jefferson County Faith Based Network (JCFNB) had been operating a shelter at to various sites in town, the most recent being a vacant building owned by Jefferson County. While the building has been helpful to the Jefferson County Faith Based Network (JCFBN), unfortunately, it was originally an office space and is not suitable for a permanent shelter. Recently, grants became available for shelter facilities, so the City of Madras applied on behalf of JCFBN and was awarded funding for the purchase of property and design and construction. The vision of JCFNB is to create a center that not only provides shelter from extreme weather conditions for the homeless, but also provides connections to resources and opportunities for them to end the homeless cycle.

COST TO BUILD: (Includes land purchase, design, engineering, construction, etc.)

• Approximately $2,100,000

FUNDING:

• Community Development Block Grant and CV Funds (Business Oregon) - $1,500,000
• City Match ARPA Funds - $300,000 
• House Bill 5006 ARPA Funds from Senator Lynn Findley - $750,000

PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CENTER:

In order to site the facility successfully for JCFBN, the population they serve, while being sensitive to the community and meeting requirements of the grants, finding the right property was a bit challenging. The criteria included:

• An accessible lot, right size, availability, proper zoning with a willing seller
• Located outside the flood plain
• Located near Downtown core for accessibility to other assisting agencies
• Located away from schools/childcare centers
• Least amount of impact to existing residential neighborhoods
• Existing infrastructure (water, sewer, utilities)
• Existing safety corridor (lit streets, crosswalks and/or signaled intersections)
• Would appraise for selling price

LOCATION:

• 0.66 acres at 61 NW Oak Street (behind Sonic) in Madras met all of the above criteria.

LAND PURCHASE PRICE:

• $200,000.00
• City closed on property April 28, 2022.

CONSTRUCTION TIMEFRAME ESTIMATES:

• Environmental Assessment: March 2022
• Construction Scheduled to Begin: January 2023
• Completion/Opening: Fall 2023

CONTACTS:

Grant Administrator:

• Andrew Spreadborough (NeighborImpact) 541-548-2380 andrews [at] neighborimpact.org (andrews[at]neighborimpact[dot]org)

Jefferson County Faith Based Network:

• Tony Mitchell, Director 805-469-0802 anthony [at] jcfbn.org (anthony[at]jcfbn[dot]org)