Medford’s Emergency Housing for Addicts Could Set a Statewide Example

MEDFORD, Ore. — A small-scale emergency housing project to get drug addicts off the street and into emergency housing started by nonprofits in Medford two years ago has attracted the attention of lawmakers who want the model replicated throughout Oregon.

$10 million Pilot Program for New Locations Statewide

Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, will seek approval for House Bill 3146, a $10 million pilot program for five to eight locations throughout the state, when the 2025 Legislative Session begins tomorrow, following President Donald Trump’s inauguration today.

The emergency program provides temporary shelter for drug addicts taken off the streets and waiting to enter residential addiction treatment centers.

The challenge facing the expansion of the emergency housing program is cash – Medicaid does not cover housing for people not in treatment. The $10 million sought by Marsh will fund 50 beds statewide – 10 beds in five locations.

House Bill 3146 proposes that applicants like the two nonprofits can apply for grants for capital expenses like building renovations and operational costs.

Jackson County Waitlist Emergency Project

The existing Jackson County Waitlist Emergency Project was started two years ago by Oasis Center of the Rogue Valley and OnTrack Rogue Valley and operates from two Medford locations.

Despite limited facilities and long waitlists, the organizations have successfully relocated 129 people into residential treatment programs.

Pregnant women are given prenatal care at the Oasis Center, where three apartments offer six beds in its family medical clinic building in Medford.

OnTrack provides residential and outpatient addiction treatment services from an apartment building in Medford with 10 beds and plans to open a 12-bedroom center in Grants Pass by 2026.

The nonprofits are partially funded by Measure 110, which channels a portion of revenue from cannabis to harm-reduction and recovery programs.

Since the launch of the emergency housing project, 204 people have entered the program, with 129 transferred to residential treatment care – a success rate of 63%.

Qualification Criteria

To qualify for help from the Emergency Waitlist, people must agree to go for residential treatment. Overnight guests at the two Medford locations are prohibited, and while they do not have to stop using drugs, they cannot do so on the premises or display any drug paraphernalia.

People may choose to undergo outpatient treatment while waiting for a transfer to a residential drug treatment program, but this is optional.

Takeaway

There is a shortfall of 3,700 treatment beds in Oregon for people suffering from mental health problems and addiction, according to a state report released last June.

While Waitlist Emergency does not replace residential treatment, it keeps people safe while waiting to enter a treatment program.