Working on the Homelessness Problem in the Bay Area, March 23

NB City Administrator report – House Bill 4123 passed by the Oregon Legislature created eight pilot programs throughout the state and necessary funding for cities and counties that work together to combat homelessness. North Bend and Coos Bay are working with Coos County as one of the eight pilot programs. The legislation requires the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to provide a two-year $1 million grant to each of the pilots for the creation of coordinated homeless response systems, including a central office and point of contact, representative advisory board, and plans for coordination with any local continuum of care organization. It requires grant money to be used for staffing, communication, community engagement, policy development, and technical assistance efforts. Within one year of receiving the grant, a coordinated homeless response system, through the advisory board, shall adopt a five-year strategic plan that will set goals for addressing such things as funding to support the ongoing operations of the coordinated homeless response system, increasing or streamlining resources and services to people at risk or are experiencing homelessness within the participating cities and counties. A COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Grant application was submitted to Business Oregon. If approved, Oregon Coast Community Action (ORCCA) will administer the grant for eligible recipients in Coos County. North Bend requested $500,000 for the program.