Just Compassion outlines shelter and eviction-prevention work, cites steep state funding cuts
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Summary
Just Compassion told the council about its expansion from a day pantry into a year-round shelter network and case management, said it lost 75% of one eviction-prevention funding stream, and described Medicaid-linked HRSN support and a new Gresham family shelter opening in March.
Michael Austin, deputy director at Just Compassion, described the nonprofits growth from a small volunteer-run operation into the regions largest provider of certain Medicaid-linked "health related social needs" (HRSN) services. Austin told the council the group operates shelter, case management and eviction-prevention services and recently lost a substantial portion of a state eviction-prevention funding stream.
"Were the largest HRSN provider in the state of Oregon," Michael Austin said, and he explained how HRSN funds are targeted to particular populations and income brackets. Austin said the organization recently received a Trillium grant and that the citys social grant helped prevent evictions for local families: the councils $1,000 social grant helped about "a family and a half" who had fallen through other program rules.
Austin said Just Compassion expanded shelter operations during the pandemic and will open a new Gresham family shelter in March that will add hotel-style units to the regions capacity. He highlighted other programs: safe parking, street outreach, permanent supportive housing efforts in Clackamas County and eviction-prevention casework.
Councilors thanked Just Compassion for work with older adults and questions focused on referrals and transportation access. The presentation listed contact information (info@justcompassionewc.com) and invited council members to tour the shelter campus.
What happens next: Council received the update and took questions; no formal action was requested or taken at the Feb. 9 meeting.
