Roseburg council urges strategic plan, keeps Homeless Commission in place

The Roseburg City Council reviewed the Homeless Commission’s role on Monday, May 13, and directed staff to work with the commission to develop a strategic plan for future efforts to address homelessness.

Staff told council the commission was created in late 2020 and has advised on a warming center, the Gary Leaf Navigation Center and related camping and time/place/manner policies. The presentation said the commission’s duties include researching current practices, making recommendations to council, reviewing proposed contracts and receiving public comment.

A member of the public, Nicole, urged the council to publish the data and costs the commission used and questioned whether high-cost “pods” and individualized accommodations were the most efficient use of public funds. “I don’t think spending $25,000 or $16,000 on a pod…is just also too much,” Nicole said, and suggested simple communal facilities and clearer information about which services exist and how to access them.

Council members described what they see as the commission’s value and the next priorities. Andrea and Carly said the commission helps the public and council better understand services and creates a forum for coordinated input. Ruth said she is concerned the city lacks a defined program to apply competitively for grants and that land availability is a limiting factor: “we have to have the land in place before we can even apply for the money,” she said.

Councilor Tom urged the commission to prioritize locating a low-barrier campsite to move people off riverbanks and parks, citing sanitation and public-safety complaints, including hypodermic needles near playgrounds and large cleanup costs. Ellen said conditions in parks have worsened and called for faster action.

Council agreed to consolidate the commission’s recent input and return with a plan that clarifies the commission’s responsibilities, identifies funding pathways and next steps, and helps the commission and council coordinate on contested items such as campsite siting. Staff said they will share council’s direction back with the Homeless Commission.