Creating Housing Coaltion

TO BUILD SAFE, AFFORDABLE, DIGNIFIED HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS FACING HOMELESSNESS IN ALBANY, OREGON.

TO PROVIDE HOUSING: IN FEBRUARY OF 2022, WE ENTERED INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE PROPERTY AT 241 WAVERLY DR. SE ALBANY, OR AFTER MANY MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS, ETC. WE THEN PROCEEDED TO HIRE AND SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF DOMINION CONSULTING FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (ER) REQUIRED FOR TWO OF OUR FUNDING PROVIDERS. WE THEN CLEARED BRUSH FROM THE SITE, PUT EROSION CONTROL MEASURES IN PLACE AND ENGAGED A FENCING COMPANY TO PROVIDE FENCING FOR THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY. WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW, WE ALSO DID SOME CLEARING OF THE PROPERTY IN TERMS OF ASBESTOS ABATEMENT AND IDENTIFICATION OF LEAD PAINT. THIS ALLOWED US TO CONTRACT WITH OUR LOCAL COLLECTION AGENCY FOR DUMP FEES. WE FOUND A DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR TO REMOVE THE HOUSE ONCE WE HAD THE ALL CLEAR FROM THE ER. WE ALSO WORKED TO DEVELOP THE PLANS FOR THE SITE AND ENGAGED A LOCAL ENGINEERING FIRM AND LICENSED ARCHITECT TO HELP COMPLETE THOSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND PREPARE THE SITE. DURING THE SUMMER, WE ORGANIZED AND STAGED A FUNDRAISER THAT WAS EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL ALLOWING US TO SHOW THE LARGE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT. IN ADDITION, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE MADE PRESENTATIONS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT.

COAT: COAT IS A COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE WHOSE FOCUS IS ON PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN LINN AND BENTON COUNTIES AND THE 1-5 SANTIAM REST AREA IN MARION COUNTY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR WHO ARE HOUSINGUNSTABLE. JOINING TOGETHER WITH C.H.A.N.C.E., A 100% PEER-RUN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES CONSORTIUM, THE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY FOR LINN, BENTON, AND LINCOLN COUNTIES, COAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE AND OUTREACH TO THOSE IN NEED. COAT WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE OTHER SERVICE AGENCIES IN ALBANY, CONNECTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO NEEDED SERVICES. WE OFFER INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE OBTAINING SERVICES. CLIENTS INCLUDE HIGHLY VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS CONSIDERED EXTREMELY LOW TO LOW INCOME AS MEASURED BY HUD AMI, OFTEN WITH CHRONIC PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOUSING, FOOD, AND INCOME INSECURITY. MUCH OF THIS EXTREMELY VULNERABLE POPULATION INCLUDES THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO FIND THEMSELVES WITHOUT HOUSING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES. MOST PEOPLE WE SEE HAVE EITHER NO OR VERY LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM. WE FACILITATE ACCESS AND REFERRAL TO HOUSING SUPPORTS AND OFFER INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT. COAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO ASSIST OVER 400 UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS IN 2022.