Hundreds in Brookings‑Harbor weigh competing solutions to homelessness; county schedules Feb. 4 workshop

Hundreds of residents, service providers and state and county officials filled a Brookings‑Harbor meeting to debate how Curry County should respond to a rising number of people living without housing, the trash and safety problems that followed, and what to do next. County leaders said they would collect comments and convene a workshop on February 4 to pursue concrete steps.

The town hall, convened by Curry County leaders and moderated by Commissioner Lynn Coker, centered on two often competing themes: residents demanding more law‑enforcement presence and code enforcement, and housing and outreach providers urging a continuum of care that includes shelter, case management and permanent affordable housing.

"The rules of the road then are particularly important in that kind of mix of personalities," Commissioner Lynn Coker said as she opened the forum and set ground rules for speakers. Service‑provider and advocacy speakers described models that county officials and residents said they wanted to consider further.

Father Bernie Lindley of Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church proposed a Rogue Retreat–style managed campground — a working name he called "Checo Retreat" — on what he described as about 12 acres…