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News Release

Benton County Awards $1.2 Million To Unity Shelter To Increase Emergency Shelter Capacity (Photo) - 12/19/23

Benton County has awarded $1.2 million in emergency sheltering funds to Unity Shelter. The funds enable Unity Shelter to expand emergency shelter capacity by reactivating 50 shelter beds and adding 40 more. The funding comes from House Bill (HB) 5019, which was approved by the Oregon Legislature and signed by Governor Kotek in response to her homelessness state of emergency.  

The Corvallis Men’s Shelter, located at 211 SE Chapman Place, is run by Unity Shelter, a local non-profit organization serving community members who are unhoused. In June 2023, Unity Shelter was forced to close its men’s shelter due to budget uncertainty following Oregon Senate walkouts. 

In September, Governor Kotek announced funding from HB 5019 to rehouse people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and expand shelter capacity in 26 rural counties. The state allocated $2.4 million from the bill to Benton County to support the addition of 50 shelter beds and the rehousing of 31 households. Unity Shelter worked closely with Benton County’s Coordinated Homeless Response Office to apply for the funding. 

“Our mission is to provide safe shelter through collaborative care. Sustainable funding is vital to that mission,” said Shawn Collins, Director of Unity Shelter. “We’re thankful for our partners at the Coordinated Homeless Response Office for their help in securing this funding, which will not only add new beds but also support critical building improvements for year-round operations.” 

Benton County continues to work with local housing and human services providers to meet or exceed the HB 5019 goal of rapidly rehousing 31 households and increasing shelter capacity by June 2025. 

“While we celebrate this win, we have a lot more work to do as a community to ensure everyone in Benton County has the opportunity to live in decent, safe, and affordable housing,” said Rebecca Taylor, Project Manager for the Coordinated Homeless Response Office. “We are incredibly grateful to our community partners for their dedication to this mission.” 

To learn more about HB 5019 funding for emergency shelter operations and the re-opening of the men’s shelter, Shawn Collins will present at the Benton County HOPE Advisory Board Meeting on December 20 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. The meeting is open to the public and details on how to join can be found on the Benton County calendar. 

The Corvallis Men’s Shelter is open nightly from 6:00 pm to 9:00 am for overnight shelter for adult males over the age of 18 and also operates a hygiene center during the day. For more information about Unity Shelter and its programs, visit their website: https://www.unityshelter.org/home.html 

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Attached Media Files: ,

Benton County Awards $1.2 Million To Unity Shelter To Increase Emergency Shelter Capacity (Photo) - 12/19/23

Benton County has awarded $1.2 million in emergency sheltering funds to Unity Shelter. The funds enable Unity Shelter to expand emergency shelter capacity by reactivating 50 shelter beds and adding 40 more. The funding comes from House Bill (HB) 5019, which was approved by the Oregon Legislature and signed by Governor Kotek in response to her homelessness state of emergency.  

The Corvallis Men’s Shelter, located at 211 SE Chapman Place, is run by Unity Shelter, a local non-profit organization serving community members who are unhoused. In June 2023, Unity Shelter was forced to close its men’s shelter due to budget uncertainty following Oregon Senate walkouts. 

In September, Governor Kotek announced funding from HB 5019 to rehouse people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and expand shelter capacity in 26 rural counties. The state allocated $2.4 million from the bill to Benton County to support the addition of 50 shelter beds and the rehousing of 31 households. Unity Shelter worked closely with Benton County’s Coordinated Homeless Response Office to apply for the funding. 

“Our mission is to provide safe shelter through collaborative care. Sustainable funding is vital to that mission,” said Shawn Collins, Director of Unity Shelter. “We’re thankful for our partners at the Coordinated Homeless Response Office for their help in securing this funding, which will not only add new beds but also support critical building improvements for year-round operations.” 

Benton County continues to work with local housing and human services providers to meet or exceed the HB 5019 goal of rapidly rehousing 31 households and increasing shelter capacity by June 2025. 

“While we celebrate this win, we have a lot more work to do as a community to ensure everyone in Benton County has the opportunity to live in decent, safe, and affordable housing,” said Rebecca Taylor, Project Manager for the Coordinated Homeless Response Office. “We are incredibly grateful to our community partners for their dedication to this mission.” 

To learn more about HB 5019 funding for emergency shelter operations and the re-opening of the men’s shelter, Shawn Collins will present at the Benton County HOPE Advisory Board Meeting on December 20 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. The meeting is open to the public and details on how to join can be found on the Benton County calendar. 

The Corvallis Men’s Shelter is open nightly from 6:00 pm to 9:00 am for overnight shelter for adult males over the age of 18 and also operates a hygiene center during the day. For more information about Unity Shelter and its programs, visit their website: https://www.unityshelter.org/home.html 

###

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Attached Media Files: ,