City Approach to Housing Insecurity

The City of Veneta sees a person in Veneta sleeping without shelter as an individual, not a category called "unhoused" or "homeless". Together with our local non-profits, Mid Lane Cares and Fern Ridge Community Services, and individual community volunteers, we care, we engage, and we help if we can. That's what defines a great small town like Veneta: Connection.

We understand that housing insecurity is a complex subject with many nuances, causes and impacts. In this light, we report on behavior and not individuals regarding the issue of housing insecurity in the area. While we cannot completely solve the issue, we are actively taking steps to respond and stay proactive.

City Procedure

If a person's behaviors become potential law violations, then the City, in partnership with the Lane County Sheriff's Office, have deputies to address those behaviors and not their category.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office deputies on the Veneta policing contract observe and engage people who are potentially violating state laws and municipal codes, such as leaving garbage and debris on public property. When they see it, they address it.

When they learn of debris piling up, they will then investigate and try to determine who is responsible and have them remove it.

In the cases when that does not work, and, in the deputy’s informed judgment, issuing a citation would not compel compliance, the city steps in to remove the debris with the state law required notice because the city is ultimately responsible for maintaining public property. City-wide cleanups occur in September and May with the help of a community group. The city provides equipment and a removable dumpster, and a public works member assists the efforts.

City Codes

The City or local non-profits and churches cannot solve a person's need for shelter. The City adopted a local law to encourage non-profits and churches to experiment with transitional shelters to start a person on the path to permanent shelter. The City supports area residents and organizations who formed the Fern Ridge Advocates for the Unhoused Group (FRAUG) that meets regularly every 3rd Thursday at 3:30PM in City Hall to share information, actions, and ideas for connecting with people who need shelter, among other necessities.

Veneta Municipal Code 9.30.030 details city policy that supports "implement[ing] programs that provide transitional housing and overnight camping for people who lack permanent shelter and cannot be placed in other low-income housing. (Ord. 563 § 2, 2021; Ord. 545 § 3, 2018)".

Current and Future Plans

Not every person without shelter is ready for transitional shelter. It's the individual's choice when opportunities are available locally, or in Eugene, or with friends and family, to accept or not accept shelter on any given day. The City's goal is to engage and ask, how can we help?

The City-owned property at the southwest corner of 8th Street and Highway 126-we call it "Lot 400"- has been an unmanaged, primitive campsite for more than a decade. Over the years of experience with Lot 400, we've found that often a person might prefer to camp or not be around others regardless of the weather. We respect that person's decision by asking campers to not camp in frequently traveled areas, like parks and next to roadways, that are not conducive to a personal space typically associated with camping. Because Lot 400 has been and continues to be a shelter destination, the City is seeking funding from the State of Oregon to improve access and sanitation to Lot 400 as this is part of the larger unhoused picture in Oregon.

The City of Veneta would use the funding for an access road that we are in the process of designing. The road would allow for easier monitoring and enforcement, as well as increased sanitation conditions. The idea of this project is to help meet basic shelter needs on a temporary basis only while adhering to Oregon law. You can see a mockup of the proposed Lot 400 access design under Related Documents.

Related Documents

  1. 24-006C CIVIL W AERIAL (1)

Resources

Lane County Behavioral Health - Various health resources related to mental health crises, outpatient services and treatment centers. Services include therapy, case management, medication management, and peer support groups.

Fern Ridge Community Services - Community dinners are provided every Sunday from 4:30-6:00pm and they also have emergency shelter available in cases of extreme or unhealthy weather conditions.

Mid Lane Cares - Love Project Food Pantry, free shower and laundry program, as well as access to emergency assistance and scholarship resources.

Get Engaged

Fern Ridge Advocates for the Unhoused Group (FRAUG) meet once a month at City Hall at 3:30PM, located at 88184 8th St, Veneta, OR 97487, and are always accepting new members.

Mid Lane Cares is a non-profit that you can volunteer with to help with the numerous services and resources that they offer. Click here if interested or call 541-935-4555.