In a recent visit to Lebanon focused on housing progress and public safety needs, U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) made a return trip to meet with community leaders, Crossroads Communities management, and residents.
The congresswoman’s visit on Oct. 18 had her checking out ongoing renovations in the housing project and the challenges facing the city’s criminal justice system.
Rep. Chavez-DeRemer first stopped at Cascade Cottages, a set of one-bedroom apartments previously known as the Milton Street Apartments. This site, once a hub for drug-related activity and crime, is nearing the end of an extensive renovation for Crossroads Communities, a local nonprofit focused on creating affordable housing solutions. As part of the tour, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer walked through various stages of renovation, noting the transformation that had taken place since her last visit on July 30.
The congresswoman also took time to reconnect with some residents she had met before, exchanging conversations with tenants about the changes they’ve seen since Crossroads began the overhaul.
“They have a great business plan for this,” Rep. Chavez-DeRemer shared, referring to Crossroads.
Following her visit to Cascade Cottages, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer joined Crossroads Communities’ leadership to tour their newly acquired transitional housing facility, which aims to support the community by providing stable housing, assistance, and rehab beds for people who are well enough to leave the hospital but not well enough to be unsupervised or without assistance. Crossroads’ expansion into transitional housing reflects a growing need for housing solutions and their ability to make that happen.
To close out her visit, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer met with local officials at the Lebanon Police Department’s Justice Center, which houses the city’s police offices, municipal court, and jail facilities. She was joined by Police Chief Frank Stevenson, Mayor Ken Jackola, and council members KJ Ulfers and Michelle Steinhebel, who voiced their concerns about the city’s shuttered jail. Due to funding limitations, Lebanon currently relies on county resources to house inmates at their jail, an increasingly common scenario for smaller municipalities across Oregon.
“My heart is in small communities,” Rep. Chavez-DeRemer said. “I know what it is like when you’re your own lobbyist for your town. Big cities take the cake.”
She reassured her team was there to help any way they could and said to make sure to reach out for their help in finding alternate resources for Lebanon as it grows into a bigger town.
In discussing potential federal or state assistance with Rep. Chavez-DeRemer, local leaders highlighted the need for funding solutions that would allow Lebanon to address its own public safety needs and consider reopening the jail.