Board says Nancy Devereaux Center will close main Empire site as city hears pleas over homelessness

Representatives of the Nancy Devereaux Center told the Coos Bay City Council on Tuesday that the organization plans to close its main Empire facility, forfeit its business license and sell the 1,200 Newmark property while it restructures services through partner organizations.

Dr. Timothy Lynch, chair of the Devereaux Center board, said the board "decided to close the 1,200 location and sell the property," and will shift distributions and services to faith-based and community partners as it develops a new organizational model. He said the board intends the changes to better support vulnerable residents while aligning with the center’s mission.

During public comment several speakers urged continued services and warned of consequences if the center’s operations end. Sam Bonner, an Empire resident, described repeated local thefts, encampments and drug activity he associates with the Devereaux site and said recent reductions in onsite activity had improved neighborhood conditions. William Crombie told the council that Thomas Powell, a 58-year-old homeless man who lost Oregon Health Plan coverage after losing a permanent address, died of hypothermia earlier in the week; Crombie said he believed loss of access to the Devereaux Center contributed to the death.

Councilors expressed relief that the board is attempting to maintain services through partners and commended the new board for taking difficult steps. Several councilors also asked staff to continue coordinating with community organizations and noted the need to clarify where services will be available as the Devereaux Center transitions.

Next steps: the board’s statement indicates preparations for property sale will begin immediately and the city will monitor partner-based service distribution; councilors asked for updates going forward.