City of Coos Bay release – Coos Bay, OR—Funding challenges have forced the City of Coos Bay to cease negotiations on a West Lockhart Avenue property that was being considered for the new site of The Devereux Center, an organization that serves veterans and families and individuals struggling with mental health and housing insecurity. The move continues to be a high-priority project for the City of Coos Bay through its position in the Coos County Coordinated Homeless Response Office, which also includes Coos County and the City of North Bend. The Coordinated Homeless Response Office was awarded approximately $1.9 million from House Bill 5019, a follow-up to the pilot program under House Bill 4123, to rehouse people experiencing homelessness and expand shelter capacity. Moving The Devereux Center from its current location at the busy intersection of Newmark Avenue and Ocean Boulevard to a larger site will enable the facility to add short-term beds and improve services, such as its warming center. In this coordinated effort, the City of Coos Bay managed site selection and pricing negotiations on the property. The City of North Bend served as fiscal agent. The proposed property on West Lockhart Avenue in South Coos Bay was selected due to its capacity, which would have allowed The Devereux Center to nearly double the number of its short-term beds; its proximity to one of The Devereaux Center’s existing sites, Coalbank Village, which would have enabled the consolidation of resources; and its purchase price, which was approved by the Coordinated Homeless Response Office at a special advisory board meeting on February 9, 2024. The City of Coos Bay was recently made aware that HB 5019 stipulates a smaller percentage of funding can be allocated to capital expenditures than originally budgeted, therefore putting the property at West Lockhart Avenue outside the project’s price range criteria. “We are quickly reorganizing to identify and secure a new property that meets the needs of The Devereaux Center, the community and the pricing criteria,” said Mayor Joe Benetti. “The Devereux Center is a trusted community partner, and we look forward to empowering their continued work with a larger facility that has been intentionally designed to meet the dynamic needs of serving homeless populations today.” While site selection processes continue, the City of Coos Bay is working closely with The Devereux Center as it addresses the challenges of working in a highly visible facility that was not intentionally designed for its current use, such as excessive garbage and unauthorized overnight stays. The Devereux Center is actively exploring solutions that could be quickly deployed, including expanded fencing and around-the-clock security, even as it continues to serve community members most in need. The City of Coos Bay will share regular updates regarding the new Devereux Center site selection process at its monthly Livability Committee meetings, which are open to the public. Committee details and meeting information can be found on the City of Coos Bay website and Facebook page.
