Klamath Tribes receive $2.3 million grant to acquire, renovate Chiloquin motel

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Oregon Community Foundation announced Tuesday four additional awards for Project Turnkey 2.0, the second iteration of the state-funded grant program administered by OCF which aims to increase the state’s supply of emergency and transitional housing.  

One of the grantees, Klamath Tribes, is focused on providing culturally specific services to vulnerable populations.  Additional grantees, Housing Authority of Malheur and Harney Counties, Alternative Youth Activities, and Oasis Advocacy and Shelter will also create shelter and transitional housing as well as provide supportive services for their specific communities. 

In Southern Oregon, the Klamath Tribes received a grant of $2,318,532 to acquire and renovate the Melita’s Hotel and RV Park in Chiloquin.  The property will be used immediately to provide housing for tribal elders and the old restaurant will be converted into a community gathering space, soup kitchen, and space for on-site services. 

“Purchasing the former Melita’s Motel property is only the beginning of a much larger effort by the Klamath Tribes to ensure all of our members have warm, dry places to sleep,” said Clayton Dumont, Klamath Tribes Chairman.  “American Indians continue to suffer the highest poverty rates among all Americans. One in four of us live below the federal poverty rate, and we know that the chance to fall into those ranks increases as we grow older.

“In our Klamath, Modoc, Yahooskin cultures, elders are our most important teachers. They are how we know who we are. Thus, tribal elders who are without or in danger of being without shelter will be our priority for this newly acquired tribal property. mo sepk’eec’a (Much thanks) to Oregon Community Foundation for being such good partners through the acquisition process.” 

In the long-term the Klamath Tribes envision developing the RV sites into more transitional housing creating a continuum of housing options in the area.  In rural Klamath County with limited availability of supportive services, the Klamath Tribes can provide a true housing first approach for people experiencing houselessness by offering a wide range of services including elder services, medical services, financial relief, food distribution, basic needs vouchers, financial counseling, and employment referrals. 

In addition, the Klamath Tribes can provide services specifically related to tribal culture such as healing circles and sweat lodges and bring a deep understanding of the underlying and historical issues that have created the ongoing effects of generational trauma to all their services.  This grant marks the first Project Turnkey award to one of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon.

On the eastern edge of the state, the Housing Authority of Malheur and Harney Counties (HAMHC) is also poised to increase transitional housing opportunities for rural residents.  HAMHC received a grant of $4,060,000 to acquire and renovate a 17-unit apartment building in Ontario into transitional housing for people experiencing houselessness with a focus on people who are chronically homeless, elderly individuals, households with children, and people with disabilities.

“Malheur County will finally have its first ever year-round shelter,” said Kristy Rodriguez, Executive Director of HAMHC.  “This has been a long-time goal for many service providers in our area to watch our most vulnerable populations thrive and succeed to stabilization. Malheur Turnkey will also assist us to furthering our equity lens and fulfilling our mission. We are beyond grateful for the assistance that Oregon Community Foundation has granted to us, and our local city officials that understand the mission, and are on board to assist.” 

With the property located near key amenities such as the Housing Authority itself and Oregon Human Development Corp, a community organization that provides support services for farmworkers, HAMHC will partner with Community in Action, the local Community Action Agency to provide case management and coordinate additional supportive services such as individual planning, budgeting, housing stabilization, behavioral and physical health services, peer supports, and conflict resolution and mediation.

In Curry County Oasis Advocacy and Shelter (Oasis) sought a smaller shelter option.  Oasis received a grant of $647,400 to acquire and renovate a multi-bedroom house into emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence and medically fragile individuals.   

Oasis will partner with Brookings CORE Response (BCR), an organization that provides street response and support for people experiencing houselessness.  Together, Oasis and BCR will provide case management, counseling, safety planning, advocacy services, resiliency training, and connection with other local resources including medical care, food shares, and culturally specific services. 

“Oasis Advocacy and Shelter is very excited about partnering with Brookings CORE Response to bring a comprehensive wrap-around program to Curry County,” said Mary Pat McAlevy, Executive Director of Oasis.  “We believe this is the step in the right direction for our county as we expand our programs and support for populations we both serve.”

In nearby Coos County, another responsive project is underway under the leadership of Alternative Youth Activities (AYA), an organization that provides a holistic approach to serving at-risk and in-need youth.  AYA received a grant of $1,033,000 to acquire and renovate a wing of the Old Charleston School in Coos Bay into 9 units of shelter and temporary housing for youth and families. 

“This funding will open additional doors to provide affordable, stable housing to south coast youth and families. We can’t thank Project Turnkey enough,” said Scott Cooper, AYA Executive Director. “These additional units will provide youth with a stepping stone between emergency shelter and longer-term housing as they move toward independence.”  

With referrals from a variety of community partners, including local school districts as well as other local service providers, this additional housing will provide the community with much needed options for youth.  In addition to their GED and workforce training programs, AYA will provide youth with case management, housing navigation, and access to other resources such as food, benefits, and culturally specific services. 

“Project Turnkey has always been about responding to community needs,” said Megan Loeb, Senior Program Officer, Economic Vitality and Housing, Oregon Community Foundation.   “The increased flexibility in this round—including property types beyond hotels and motels and a deliberate timeline—has allowed a variety of organizations to put state funding to good use and add to the local shelter capacity in a way that fits each of their communities.” 

“These new transitional homes are a manifestation of what is possible when all of us come together in service to our communities,” said Delia Hernández, Public Information Officer, Oregon Housing & Community Services. “We are most effective when everyone is being served and has their basic needs met. Sustainable progress is possible when all partners are working together with us toward the same goals and outcomes.”

Project Turnkey 2.0 aims to stand up approximately 10-12 properties as emergency shelter and transitional housing across the state.  Properties will be owned and operated by local nonprofit organizations and entities (such as cities, counties, or tribes) that will provide safe housing as well as critical support, including access to medical and social services, computers, laundry facilities, meals and more. Additional Project Turnkey 2.0 sites are expected to be announced in June 2023. 

About The Klamath Tribes

The Klamath Tribes primary mission is to “protect, preserve and enhance the spiritual, cultural and physical values and resources of the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Peoples by maintaining the customs of our ancestors.”  The heart of Tribal life is centered in the area of Chiloquin, Oregon and includes 12 Departments, Health Clinic, Childcare Center, Tribal Court, goos oLgi gowa Center, Research Station, and three tribal enterprises.  The Klamath Tribes’ 12 departments facilitate service delivery to multiple aspects of tribal life, including health and fitness, education, economic development, social services, cultural preservation, natural resource protection and more.  To learn more, visit https://klamathtribes.org/. 

 About Housing Authority of Malheur and Harney Counties

The mission of the Housing Authority of Malheur & Harney Counties is to address the need for available, safe, decent, sanitary and affordable housing for extremely low and low-income residents of Malheur and Harney Counties.  To learn more, visit http://hamhc.org/.

About Community in Action

Community in Action exists to empower low and moderate-income individuals and families of Harney and Malheur Counties.  We provide education and counseling, skills development, and access to community resources that help create self-sufficiency.  To learn more, visit https://communityinaction.info/. 

 About Oasis Advocacy and Shelter

Headquartered in Gold Beach, Oregon, Oasis Advocacy and Shelter (Oasis) is a domestic violence/sexual assault-specialty nonprofit organization with a 30+ year record of direct supportive services for survivors in Curry County.  Oasis currently offers emergency shelter, court support, and advocacy services for survivors in general or navigating the Department of Human Services system, our Survivor Resiliency Program and the Trafficking Victims Assistance Program for undocumented immigrant survivors of labor, debt bondage, or sex trafficking.  To learn more, visit https://oasisadvocacyandshelter.org/.

About Alternative Youth Activities

AYA provides a holistic approach to in-need youth by connecting them to education, career services, social supports, and housing.  AYA is a private, non-profit, accredited, educational organization serving youth who have not been successful in the public schools through education and support services including but not limited to housing needs, nutritional support, physical and mental healthcare, harm reduction and crisis interventions.  To learn more, visit https://www.aya1.org/.

About Project Turnkey 2.0 (2022-2023) 

Based on the success of the Project Turnkey 1.0, and in the face on ongoing need for emergency shelter, on March 4, 2022, the Oregon Legislature allocated $50 million in new funding for more emergency shelters around the state for Project Turnkey 2.0.  

To learn more: Oregon Community Foundation and Oregon Housing and Community Services Poised to Launch Project Turnkey 2.0 with $50M in State Funding.  

OCF and OHCS Roles 

Oregon Community Foundation serves as the grantor and fiduciary, administering state-funded Project Turnkey 2.0 grants with guidance from a diverse statewide Advisory Committee. OCF offers support for Oregon’s housing needs along a continuum — from shelter to supportive housing to affordable housing to equitable home ownership — through a variety of tools, including research, grants, advocacy, and low-interest loans. OCF’s administration of Project Turnkey 2.0 is one example of the innovative, collaborative approaches launched to help more Oregonians find stable, affordable housing. 

Oregon Housing and Community Services provides advice and support for OCF as the State’s Housing Finance Agency. Additionally, OHCS has received resources to administer funds to the recipients of Project Turnkey 2.0 grants. This includes ongoing monitoring and oversight of these funds and the projects they support. 

Background 

In 2020, the Oregon Legislature allocated a total of $65 million for Project Turnkey (1.0), for the purpose of acquiring motels/hotels for use as safe shelter for people experiencing homelessness, at-risk of homelessness or displaced by wildfires. In less than seven months, Project Turnkey 1.0 created 19 new shelters in 13 counties, leading to a 20% increase in the state supply of shelter beds. Each property is locally owned and operated by a local nonprofit organization or entity (such as city or county).  

To learn more, please visit: https://oregoncf.org/assets/PDFs-and-Docs/PDFs/project-turnkey-report.pdf  

About Oregon Housing and Community Services 

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) provides resources for Oregonians to reduce poverty and increase access to stable housing. OHCS focuses on both housing and community services to serve Oregonians holistically across the housing continuum, including preventing and ending homelessness, assisting with utilities, providing housing stability support, financing multifamily affordable housing and encouraging homeownership. To learn more, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

About Oregon Community Foundation 

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) was founded in 1973 with a big mission: to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF works to strengthen communities in every county in Oregon through research, grantmaking and scholarships. In 2022, OCF distributed more than $180 million, supporting 3,500 grantees and awarding more than 3,000 scholarships. With OCF, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create charitable funds that meet the needs of diverse communities statewide. 

2023 marks OCF’s 50th anniversary. Since its founding, OCF has distributed more than $2.2 billion in community investments, including grants to 10,850 nonprofits and 53,375 scholarships to students. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, please visit: oregoncf.org.