February 28, 2022 3:40 a.m.
City of Roseburg officials want to partner with a local non-profit agency to open an emergency center and navigation center this summer and plan to take the matter to the Roseburg Homeless Commission on Monday.
On Friday, Roseburg officials closed on the sale of a 7,423-square-foot-building that will be renovated and used for providing services for homeless women, men and children.
Monday city staff will ask the commission to consider recommending the city council approve awarding the operator contract to the United Community Action Network and exempting the contract from competition in the public contracting process. If the commission approves the recommendation, the council would be expected to consider the same request in March. UCAN could begin preparation work as soon as May 1.
The City release said the center is not expected to open until June 30th, which is when services would be expected to begin. 10 pallet shelters would be initially available. When fully operational the center would offer 30 shelter beds and the pallet shelters, but additional capacity could be negotiated in the future.
Operating costs for the facility are estimated to be about $1.75 million for the first 14 months and $1.5 million for the second year. An operating agreement is expected to include the City’s commitment to reimburse UCAN’s actual, documented operating costs up to those amounts. The release said UCAN may work with other partners to obtain more operational funding to help offset costs to the City. If awarded, the term of the initial contract could start as early as May 1, and end June 30, 2024, with options for extensions.
The City of Roseburg bought the building at 948 Southeast Mill Street for $270,000 from UCAN, which is selling the property for slightly less than the assessed value under the organization’s mission to help the homeless.
In April, the Oregon State Legislature awarded the City a $1.5 million grant to help pay for capital or operational costs to establish an emergency center and navigation center by June 30th of this year. The City must return the funds if the center is not operating by that date.
The release said if the operating agreement is approved to move forward and both parties sign a final agreement, the City and UCAN will provide opportunities for neighbors and other community members to ask questions, voice concerns and get more information about center operations.
The Homeless Commission meeting is at 11:00 a.m.