March 15, 2022 4:00 a.m.

The Roseburg City Council voted unanimously to approve awarding the operator contract for an emergency shelter and navigation center to the United Community Action Network, at its meeting on Monday night.

Councilors also agreed to exempt the contract from the public contracting process. The decision came after the Roseburg Homeless Commission voted late last month to recommend that the council approve the contract.

A City release said at meetings this spring, both groups are expected to consider naming the center in honor of the late State Representative Gary Leif, who was instrumental in getting the $1.5 million in state funding for the navigation center.

The final operating agreement is expected to be signed later this week so UCAN is able to begin preparation work as soon as May 1st at the center’s future home on Southeast Mill Street.

The release said the center is expected to open June 30th. At that time, services for homeless women, men and families would begin with 10 pallet shelters available. When fully operational, the center would offer 30 shelter beds and the pallet shelters, though additional capacity could be negotiated in the future.

Operating costs for the shelter and navigation center are estimated to be about $1.75 million for the first 14 months, and $1.5 million for the second year. An operating agreement between the City and UCAN is expected to include the City’s commitment to reimburse UCAN’s actual, documented operating costs up to those amounts. UCAN may work with other partners to obtain more operational funding to help offset costs to the City.