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Local service providers warn funding cuts will shrink shelter, rental-assistance and food programs as council weighs enforcement options
Summary
At an Astoria City Council work session, five local service providers warned of steep state and federal funding reductions — including rental-assistance cuts of 40–50% for some programs — and described limited shelter capacity and food-bank strain if SNAP benefits lapse. Providers urged the council to pursue advocacy, pop-up distribution sites and lowest-barrier shelter options.
Astoria — Local nonprofit service providers told the Astoria City Council on Oct. 27 that looming state and federal funding cuts threaten shelter beds, rental-assistance programs and food distributions just as demand rises heading into winter.
“If SNAP benefits aren't funded, we're in trouble — we're gonna run out of food,” said Dustin Martin, chief operations officer of the CCA Regional Food Bank, warning that an interruption to federal nutrition benefits would sharply increase demand on local pantries.
The council convened a work session to hear five providers describe services and expected impacts. Viviana Matthews, executive director of Clatsop Community Action (CCA), said the agency delivers housing, rental and deposit assistance, energy help and a new water-assistance program for Astoria residents; Andrea Birch, CCA deputy director, said shelter funding for some programs has been cut…
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