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Astoria directs staff to pilot community-based micro-shelters, removes vehicle-dispensing from plan
Summary
Council directed staff to implement a pilot community-based shelter program partnering with property owners and nonprofits to host micro-shelters and supportive services, and amended the motion to exclude explicit vehicle-dispensing while staff studies that option further.
Astoria’s City Council on June 15 directed staff to implement a pilot community-based shelter program that would partner with faith-based organizations, nonprofits and private property owners to host small-scale micro-shelters and link participants to case management and services.
Assistant to the city manager Ryan Finley described the program as a pilot allowing one to three sites initially, with micro-shelters priced roughly $1,000–$5,000 each, sanitation services ($200–$500 per month), and case coordination. Proposed length of stay included a probationary 30-day period with a typical 180-day maximum and case-by-case extensions.
Public commenters with lived experience and shelter providers urged low-barrier, structured shelters that pair housing with skills-building and accountability; one commenter said such programs saved costs and emergency calls in other jurisdictions. Some councilors and commenters expressed concern about including vehicle camping explicitly; the council amended the motion to direct staff to pursue the pilot but to remove vehicle-dispensing language until staff can provide additional analysis of liability and operational issues.
Council approved the amended direction. Staff said they would start with a small pilot, secure partner sites and return with details on costs, liability protections and program administration.
What happens next: staff will identify one to three pilot sites, confirm partners and present a more detailed implementation plan and budget to council.
