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Chance Recovery tells Albany City Council it needs operating funds and a permanent shelter home
Summary
Chance Recovery leaders told the council they provide daily peer-support services, meals, medical and dental visits, MAT and shelter beds in Albany and are seeking operating funds and help to acquire their shelter building after a 14% funding cut.
Emma Dean, executive director of Chance Recovery, told the Albany City Council the nonprofit operates a downtown daytime center and shelter services that serve dozens of people each day and provide a wide range of supports from meals to medically assisted treatment.
"We provide peer support in our community to anybody that's seeking those services," Dean said, outlining programs at Chance's Albany office: showers and laundry, breakfast and lunch Monday–Friday, on-site dental and medical services, transportation to detox and medical appointments, and partnerships with Samaritan, IHN and Community Health Centers. John Phelps, Chance's shelter director, joined Dean at the dais.
Dean gave detailed usage figures for the year: 60–90 individuals served daily at the daytime center, more than 18,000 meals served across downtown and shelter locations, over 1,700 showers provided, over 600 laundry loads, and more than 4,500 check-ins downtown. She said Chance operates 110 high-barrier beds, five family dorms and a medical respite facility and that the organization helped 224 peers with housing navigation and provided medically assisted treatment referrals for 121 peers this year.
"We are looking for general operating funds to supplement" a recent budget cut, Dean said, noting Chance received a 14% reduction from its largest funding source but kept programs and staff intact. She asked the council and community for help with general operating support and assistance acquiring the shelter property, which Chance does not currently own and said limits access to certain funding streams.
Councilors thanked the presenters and asked for practical details. Councilor McGee asked whether reported check-ins were unique individuals; Dean replied they were unique check-ins. Council members also requested contact and crisis-line information; Dean said the shelter crisis line is staffed by peer supports and provided the number for follow-up (503-851-1160). Councilors encouraged Chance to supply the council with written contact details and Bridges-to-Recovery event dates when finalized.
Why it matters: The presentation highlighted the scope of services a single local nonprofit supplies to Albany residents experiencing homelessness, and it framed an immediate funding request—operating dollars and support toward acquiring a shelter property—that could affect local shelter capacity and service continuity.
What’s next: Chance Recovery said it will provide the council with program contact information and event dates and the council took the presentation under advisement for future budget or partnership discussions.
