A city-appointed subcommittee researched the needs of unhoused people in Ashland and Jackson County before publishing its report

By Linda Reid

In November 2023, the Ashland City Council gave direction to the Housing and Human Services Advisory Committee to prepare a draft master plan to guide the city’s investment in homeless services.

The council asked that the plan include broad stakeholder input. It said it should identify the scope of the problems, gaps and shortcomings in the existing resources and services. And it asked for an overview of other regional strategies and efforts by partner organizations to address the needs of homeless populations throughout Jackson County.

The housing committee established an ad hoc subcommittee to address the council’s request and ultimately develop a Homeless Services Master Plan. The formation of this ad hoc subcommittee was advertised broadly to solicit volunteers devoted to this task.

11 community volunteers

In January, the housing committee appointed 11 volunteers from the community to form the Homeless Services Master Plan ad hoc subcommittee. The members included individuals from various community groups, including a representative from OHRA (Opportunities for Housing, Resources and Assistance), several representatives who live, work or own businesses in the south end of Ashland, people who work with homeless populations, business owners and people with lived experience of homelessness. A law enforcement liaison and two city councilor liaisons rounded out the group. The subcommittee was staffed by the Community Development Department Housing program manager and an associate planner.

The subcommittee began meeting twice a month starting on Jan. 30, and the members developed and agreed on an approach, a timeline and a set of tasks. They also gained an understanding of the level of homelessness and the homeless response services and systems in Ashland and throughout the county.

Through this process, the subcommittee engaged with service providers, people with lived experience, the business community and the general population. This engagement aimed to understand various perspectives on needs and to identify the most effective ways to address the primary issues highlighted by different community groups.

Comprehensive document

The Homeless Services Assessment Report that emerged from this process is a comprehensive document that outlines key takeaways from five primary areas of concern. It evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the current homeless response system. It identifies the most pressing needs and suggests potential opportunities for improvement. The report does not prioritize specific actions but offers a detailed understanding of the current landscape and presents a range of possible strategies for the city to consider. The report was presented to the Housing and Human Services Committee on July 18. The panel gave the report unanimous support and a recommendation for approval by the City Council.

The issues of homelessness are varied and complex, as reflected in the research and analysis completed for the report. The report is offered to better understand the issues, the current realities and possible opportunities. It summarizes opportunities and potential actions identified through a rigorous review of local data and community feedback from residents, service providers, advocates and people with lived experience.

Next steps are up to the city

However, the report does not evaluate the potential impact of or prioritize specific actions. The subcommittee recognized that careful consideration and clear objectives are necessary in selecting a course of action. The city will need to further evaluate the level of engagement it is willing to consider for any given action.

At the regular business meeting on Aug. 20, the City Council accepted the Homeless Services Assessment report. The acceptance and approval of the report serves as a critical step in formalizing the city of Ashland’s approach to addressing homelessness, providing a foundation for future policy decisions and resource allocation.

Additional details, including local service provider information, can be found at ashlandoregon.gov/HomelessServices.

Linda Reid is the housing program manager for the city of Ashland.