BestCare outlines mental‑health housing model as community raises safety and placement questions

BestCare representatives described a proposed mental‑health housing project intended to serve Crook County residents with severe and persistent mental illness and answered questions from commissioners and residents during the Oct. 29 work session.

Melissa, speaking for BestCare, said the county submitted a state ‘‘local plan’’ tied to the new CFAA agreement and that staffing and CCO funding remain under strain; she then described the housing proposal as ‘‘an environment where they can live, they have to engage in treatment, and there is the ability to monitor, support, provide wraparound services to them.’’

The agency said the pilot targets people already living in the community who are unhoused or unstable; Melissa said the program’s ‘‘primary thing needs to be that they have severe and persistent mental illness’’ and that participation would require engagement in treatment. She added that some placements can be long‑term or permanent depending on residents’ disability and work capacity, while many residents transition after periods such as two years.

Residents pressed BestCare for specifics. Questions focused on the proposed site (described as on Fort Street near Madras Highway), the number of units (BestCare said it is a small cluster — six units), whether the project would be adult‑only (BestCare said it would be adults only), and how the program will handle substance use and rule violations. BestCare acknowledged that some residents may continue to use substances despite rules and said the agency plans case‑by‑case oversight, including possible removal if rules are repeatedly violated: ‘‘If a person continues to not be able to follow the rules, then we have decisions to make in terms of whether they can stay there,’’ Melissa said.

Neighbors asked about safety, fencing, proximity to businesses and traffic on the Madras Highway. BestCare said staff presence will be on site during daytime hours and that they can explore traffic accommodations such as crosswalks; the agency also said there are existing housing and rental supports that aim to prevent congregations that cause community concern. Melissa said the program would prioritize current Crook County residents and that BestCare could provide written entry requirements, behavioral expectations and removal criteria if the community wants them circulated.

Commissioners and residents repeatedly asked BestCare to publish the program’s rules, conditions for removal and any deed restrictions or easement arrangements before the project proceeds. BestCare agreed to continue the dialogue and to provide written guidelines and specifics as they finalize lease and renovation timelines for related moves.

The discussion was framed as a request for information and community engagement. No formal land‑use or funding decision was made by the board at the meeting; BestCare was asked to return with written parameters and to continue outreach.