Tackling a complex challenge requires a multifaceted approach

By Dylan Bloom

In Ashland, Oregon, where the natural splendor of the outdoors converges with a vibrant cultural scene, our community confronts a significant challenge: homelessness.

Recent national data from the January 2022 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count paints a stark picture, revealing that 582,462 individuals across the country grapple with housing insecurity. Despite Ashland’s modest population, the latest PIT Counts indicate a troubling reality, with anywhere from 80 to 125 individuals experiencing homelessness in our midst.

However, beyond mere statistics, the impact of homelessness reverberates throughout our neighborhoods, evident in a sharp increase in medical calls and law enforcement incidents related to homelessness over the past few years.

While the complexities of homelessness may stem from a myriad of factors, ranging from mental health challenges to economic disparities, it is imperative that we, as a municipality, take concerted action. Our focus must extend beyond mere statistics to tangible solutions that address the root causes of homelessness. As we strive to foster an environment where living wage jobs thrive and housing opportunities abound, the city of Ashland has embarked on several initiatives to alleviate the immediate hardships faced by our unhoused neighbors.

Actions taken:

In response to this pressing issue, the city of Ashland has implemented immediate measures to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness. These include the establishment of an inclement weather shelter, operating at a permanent location, which provides refuge when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or when conditions such as extreme heat or poor air quality pose risks to individuals’ health and safety. Notably, our city’s thresholds for providing shelter are among the most accommodating in the Rogue Valley, ensuring that individuals from across the county receive assistance, even when neighboring communities fall short.

Additionally, the city has operated a 24/7 emergency shelter, offering 30 beds for unhoused individuals to stabilize from November 2023 to March 2024, utilizing state grant funding and emergency order status to maintain operations within legal constraints. Recognizing the challenges posed by ordinances prohibiting camping in public spaces, the city has designated a camping lawn to provide a regulated space for individuals with nowhere else to go. Moreover, community organizations such as the Ashland Community Food Bank, OHRA (Opportunities for Housing, Resources & Assistance), and initiatives like Community Peace Meals have played a crucial role in providing support and resources to the unhoused population, complementing the efforts of the municipal government.

Future plans:

While these immediate interventions are vital, long-term solutions necessitate a strategic and comprehensive approach. To this end, the City Council has tasked the Housing and Human Services committee with establishing a Homelessness Masterplan Sub-committee. This committee’s mandate is to develop a strategic plan that addresses the scope of the homelessness issue in Ashland, maps existing efforts by the Jackson County Continuum of Care and community organizations, and identifies gaps in services and resources for unhoused residents. The committee aims to present its recommendations to the council by June 2024, with an interim report due in the spring. By fostering initiative-taking collaboration and strategic planning, we aspire to address homelessness in Ashland effectively.

Sustainable solutions:

Addressing homelessness requires tackling underlying issues such as housing affordability and economic opportunity. Ashland has made significant strides in this regard, becoming the first city in the state of Oregon to adopt the Housing Production Strategy, which identifies housing gaps and outlines a roadmap to increase housing production. Additionally, the City Council’s decision to adopt Climate Friendly and Equitable Areas, along with the removal of parking requirements citywide, demonstrates a commitment to promoting housing development and flexibility in regulations.

Efforts to develop underutilized sites, such as the old Croman Mill site, underscore the city’s commitment to increasing housing supply. Discussions around innovative solutions like Land Banking and Land Trusts, as well as strategic expansion of Urban Growth Boundaries, aim to provide affordable and attainable housing options for residents and to attract young families to our community that can contribute sustained growth. Furthermore, initiatives to support existing businesses through Beautification Grants and expedited permitting processes, coupled with efforts to attract new businesses offering living wage jobs, are essential components of a comprehensive strategy to address homelessness sustainably. This is the kind of forward strategic thinking that is not only key to sustained growth for Ashland, but the key to truly helping our unhoused population over the long term.

Conclusion:

As we navigate the complex issue of homelessness in Ashland, it is imperative that we engage in robust conversations with all stakeholders. This includes the unhoused population, residents, businesses, law enforcement, service providers, and county officials. By adopting a proactive rather than reactive approach, we can chart a course toward a future where homelessness is not merely managed but largely eradicated in Ashland, leaving no one behind in our quest for a more equitable society.

However, addressing homelessness requires collective action and community involvement. As we move forward, we must ask ourselves critical questions about the level of financial resources the city should commit to this issue, our responsibilities beyond city limits, and the extent to which we should collaborate with other stakeholders. It is essential that decisions are made collaboratively, with input from the community, to ensure that our efforts are effective and inclusive. Together, we can leverage the unique talents and resources of our community to find sustainable solutions to homelessness and create a more equitable and prosperous future for all Ashlanders.

Email Ashland City Councilor Dylan Bloom at dylan.bloom@council.ashland.or.us. Email letters to the editor and viewpoint submissions to news@ashland.news.