Progress continues as Community Action Resource Enterprises (CARE), Inc. works to bring new shelter options to Tillamook County this spring. The first phase of the project – which will include a large, congregate, short-term shelter; several smaller short- to mid-term shelters for individuals and families; and restroom facilities for shelter guests – will be completed by early summer 2024. Shelter guests will not only receive safe and secure shelter but will also have access to CARE’s wide array of services to provide the support and assistance guests may need as they progress along their journey to sustainable, long-term housing.
“This is a first of its kind project in Tillamook County, so we are working hard to make this work for all the members of our community,” explains Jeff Blackford, CARE’s Executive Director. “We are excited for this project and for the opportunity it provides to expand the services and supports we can offer the community.”
CARE already provides many forms of housing and shelter services for the residents of Tillamook County. Shelter services include the annual winter warming center and the micro-shelter village on Third St. CARE also provides extensive care management services for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing. All CARE clients utilizing shelter services receive these case management services.
“CARE is designed to provide comprehensive wrap-around services that support the members of our community wherever they are along the housing continuum,” Blackford continues. “This includes everything from prevention services to help people avoid experiencing homelessness to rapid re-housing services to help people quickly move back into stable housing so their experience with homelessness is as brief as possible, as well as services to support and empower people who are experiencing chronic homelessness to progress toward long-term housing. And this is just a part of what we do at CARE!”
Progress on this project has been slowed due to the weather. The shelter will be placed next to the CARE offices where clients will have direct access to services. Unfortunately, excavation on the site for the shelters cannot proceed while the soil is saturated from rainwater. “The weather has not cooperated with this project so far,” observes Blackford. “But we are not deterred. We are fully committed to this project being completed by early summer.
To learn more about CARE visit their website at www.CAREinc.org and like them on Facebook @TillamookCARE. To learn what CARE can do for you, please give them a call at 503-842-5261.