Medford — Rogue Retreat gave the City Council an update on June 4 describing a network of low‑barrier shelter, outreach and housing programs that serve roughly 500 people each day and about 1,200 individuals annually.

What Rogue Retreat told council
Sam Engle of Rogue Retreat described programs that range from street outreach and an urban campground to the Kelly Shelter and unsubsidized apartments. "We envision a community where everyone has a place to call home," Engle said. He said the organization now hires many staff with lived experience, operates vocational initiatives such as Hope Streets and Hope Kitchen, and runs a medical‑respite program and Redwood Inn to help people discharged from hospitals recover safely outside an expensive inpatient bed.

Scale, outcomes and challenges
Engle told the council the organization averages about 90% capacity for medical respite and is expanding revenue streams and havens; two new havens tied to an ARPA grant and a pending county match were described as pending. He emphasized success in workforce pathways—participants hired through internships into local restaurants and into Rogue Retreat’s own paid positions.

Funding and constraints
Rogue Retreat noted funding instability because many grants are reimbursement‑based and housing inventory—particularly senior, family and high‑needs units—remains limited. Engle said capital investments through EO‑23‑02 and ARPA have improved shelter facilities and the navigation center’s environment, and he described plans for a data study with CCO partners to demonstrate potential health‑care savings tied to medical‑respite services.

Council follow‑up
Council members asked about program completion rates and capacity; staff said the organization’s success rate for people moving into more stable shelter has improved from roughly 20–25% to about 45% since program changes and site moves. Rogue Retreat offered to provide tours and suggested additional local partnerships to increase capacity and sustainability.