Public commenter urges housing‑first approach as commissioners outline county housing supports

Greg Chisum of North Bend used his public comment time to urge the Coos County Board of Commissioners to adopt a housing-first strategy for people experiencing homelessness in Coos Bay and throughout Coos County. "I come to you today with a community concerned about the unhoused in Coos Bay and Coos County," Chisum said, describing visible homelessness in downtown Coos Bay and arguing that criminalization is not an effective solution.

Chisum told the board a prior consolidated service that housed multiple supports has closed and that locally provided services are insufficient to meet current need. He cited studies he said show rehousing chronically homeless individuals can save taxpayer dollars compared with repeated emergency-room, jail and shelter costs. "We need to have a little heart and take care of our fellow humans," he said, urging proactive investment in housing.

Commissioners responded with examples of county involvement in housing. One commissioner said Coos Health and Wellness manages roughly 60–65 housing units for people with mental-health or addiction needs and referenced new or planned projects at sites including the former Banger School and Englewood school site, saying the county and cities have had roles in those efforts. The commissioners also noted constraints posed by state regulations and the broader shortage of housing supply, and offered to continue the conversation with Mr. Chisum after the meeting.

Why it matters: Chisum framed homelessness as a combination of systemic and personal circumstance and urged the county to prioritize housing first; commissioners acknowledged ongoing county investments but said supply, state rules and behavioral-health capacity constrain immediate gains.

What’s next: Commissioners invited further discussion and referenced ongoing projects and partnerships to increase housing supply; no formal board action was taken during public comment.