The City of Eugene is investigating the possibility of locating a new homeless shelter in the old VA clinic on River Avenue, which is currently owned by Lane County.
Kezi dot com.
The city of eugene is still searching for a place to locate a new homeless shelter-- but it looks like they have a new lead.
Kezi 9 news reporter chris lueneburg has new details on why lane county's river avenue site -- that's being used for homeless people suspected of having covid-19 -- might be a perfect fit.
Living on the street, dennis fox tries to meet his own needs.
"i try not to rely on anybody but sometimes i have to.
Like a shower."
But for those who can't rely on themselves-- the city has been trying to find a site for a low-barrier, homeless shelter open to anybody since ther 1.9 million dollar homelessness plan was approved last july -- a partnership fox values.
"they need everything.
Everything.
Of course, a lot of it is on them too.
It's not just the city.
It's a 50/50 thing really" the city considered a perminant tent-like sprung structure near highway 99 and roosevelt in west eugene... but lane county's newly purchased covid-19 respite site on river avenue changed the picture.
"lane county bought the old va building for 1.8 million dollars... meanwhile the city of eugene has committed over 800 thousand dollars to a low-barrier shelter-- just how the finances would work out is still up for discussion."
Rooms in the building have already been converted to housing... while it may be a good fit-- some neighbors are concerned about crime, while others welcome the idea.
"it'd get them off the street.
It's a safe place for them to live, and maybe it would cut down on the crime."
The city council and board of county comissioners will meet in the next month to discuss the possibility.
Officials say if the option moves forward, staff will work with neighbors to make sure it's a good fit.
Fox thinks it will be.
"it'll give us a place to go.
Instead of doing this."
Reporting in eugene, chris lueneburg kezi 9 news.
Be sure to
With outbreaks popping up all over our state, health officials are working to make sure that doesn't happen here.