County homelessness and housing updates: new permanent supportive housing projects and growth in deflection program

County and partner staff reported several developments in Clatsop County’s homelessness response and diversion efforts, including the closing of a land purchase for a 32-unit permanent supportive housing project and near-capacity occupancy at other facilities.

A county-affiliated staff member described the Marine Drive project — a 32-unit permanent supportive housing building located between Motel 6 and KFC — and said construction began after the county closed on the property on Dec. 18. “Construction is underway, and we're set to have a new building about around Christmas time next year,” the staff member said, adding that a small groundbreaking for stakeholders is planned in January.

The Hawkeye project in Seaside, a partnership with Columbia Pacific Care Oregon, is close to full occupancy; the presenter said 12 of 14 units were filled with tenants and partners reported success connecting people from shelter into housing. Operators at another site, Esperanza Village, reported nine of 14 resident units occupied (15 total units including one for on-site staff), with three available units and one reserved for a hospital discharge partnership.

County staff also updated the council on the county’s deflection program, which pairs DA, sheriff’s office, public health and law enforcement partners to divert people with certain low-level offenses into treatment rather than criminal prosecution. The presenter said the program had six participants overall, five active in the program at the time of the meeting, and several recent client completions. Staff said deflection’s early enrollment is limited because many people charged with possession also face other charges (for example, theft or trespass) that the district attorney may not be willing to deflect. The team is reviewing whether to adjust eligibility criteria to include lower-level theft or trespass charge classes to increase participation. “What our team is doing is looking at, like, level 3 trespass or theft under $100… those lower level crimes that we can deflect,” the staff member said.

Participants discussed operational matters including property-management training and exit processes for supportive-housing units. Operators said they follow exit documentation and track reasons for departure; one operator said most departures were moves to other states or voluntary transitions, while disciplinary exits were documented when they occurred.

Council members thanked staff for the updates and asked for continued monthly briefings on occupancy and program performance.