Rogue Valley’s Oasis Center To Purchase Property With Medford Homeless Funding

MEDFORD, Ore. — Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Oasis Center of the Rogue Valley approved last year by the Medford City Council has been confirmed. The Oasis Center will use the funds to buy property in downtown Medford at 522 East Main St.

The funding supports an existing initiative and Matt Brinkley, Medford City Planning Director, said “I think there is a huge need for resources and programs for homeless families.”

Medford City Council Funding Allocated to Homeless Facilities

Medford City Council initially approved Bill 2023-53 on May 4 last year and adopted the 2023-2024 CBDG action plan. Medford’s city manager then also tentatively approved the plan for Oasis Center to purchase the property on East Main Street as part of the action plan.

Brinkley thinks that Oasis Center has done a good job of creating a presence there, and they have taken care of the property in an area that has been challenging for the city in the past, especially along the greenway and in Hawthorne Park. Brinkley said that Oasis has proven their ability to positively impact homeless individuals.

When Medford City Council approved the biennial budget for 2023-2025 on June 1 last year, funding envisaged in the bill to acquire the East Main Street Property was approved. The funding originates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding allocated for the 2023 program year.

By using CDBG funding, Medford can continue the implementation of its Homeless System Action Plan.The $413,000 that Oasis Center will get will be used to buy the East Main St. property and also to make improvements to it. The location of this center will help homeless mothers and families access resources in the area more easily according to Brinkley.

Oasis Center Homeless Facilities On East Main Street, Medford

The property on East Main St. is currently being used on a rental basis by Oasis Center as emergency housing for homeless individuals in Medford.  While the City tries to focus on solving the issues of a growing homeless population, sub-groups face unique challenges and Oasis Center helps provide resources to homeless mothers as a sub-group.

Oasis Center of the Rogue Valley plans to turn the property into housing for pregnant women struggling with homelessness and recovering from addiction. It is also purchasing three other transitional housing units- at 516, 518, and 520 East Main St., over and above 522 East Main St.