November 25, 2019 10:00 a.m. 
The United Community Action Network is among over a dozen organizations receiving winter shelter funds from Oregon Housing and Community Services.
A release from OHCS said over $1.7 million has been distributed to help groups that provide shelter to those without homes.
The release said the investment will strengthen winter shelters by securing facilities to operate shelter, increasing the number of shelter beds, expanding operating hours, providing extended outreach, funding shelter staff, and purchasing bedding, mats and blankets.
OHCS Director Margaret Salazar said “temperatures have dropped below freezing across the state and I am heartbroken for those without a roof over their heads”. She said these resources will bring Oregonians in from the cold and allow communities to address local needs.
UCAN, which operates in Douglas and Josephine counties, is getting $75,000 from OHCS.
The funds are from a one-time allocation of $5 million made to OHCS during the 2019 session of the Oregon State Legislature. OHCS will release the remainder of the funds through a competitive process in 2020, using the recently received Statewide Shelter Study to prioritize investments. The study found that Oregon needs over 5,800 additional shelter beds to provide relief to Oregonians experiencing homelessness.