Tonight February 25, 2025 the Lincoln City Shelter and Resource Center was forced to close by order of the local fire marshal. While extensive renovations at the Lincoln City shelter, including the installation of a sprinkler system, are complete, the local Fire Marshall said it is not enough for the shelter to stay open. The County just received a city permit on February 24th for its private contractor to upsize the outside connection to the water main, which the county believed was the last step needed to get the proper permits to be open. The county's request for an extension was denied. The Shelter has had an average of 6-9 guests per night.

The Lincoln City shelter has been operational since December 23 after extensive renovations, including an ADA bathroom and shower and the installation of a sprinkler system. The county believed that the facility was fully complete inside with only the connection to the outside water main remaining. According to a press release from North Lincoln Fire's Fire Marshall Cody Heidt Oregon’s building and fire codes require all structures to have a certificate of occupancy, which is determined by the building official and dictates the approved use of the building.

Lincoln County purchased the building with the intent to operate a winter shelter, they

applied for a change of occupancy to an “R-1” (Residential) Occupancy, which

requires compliance with additional safety measures. These include installing a fire

sprinkler system and a fire alarm system, as mandated by the Oregon Structural

Specialty Code and Fire Code.

Heidt added that as of February 25, 2025, Lincoln County has not had its fire sprinkler system inspected or tested by the fire marshal or building official. He added they have not yet paid for the plan review of its fire alarm system by North Lincoln Fire Rescue (NLFR). Once payment is received, the plan review will be completed, followed by a review by the building department.

Temporary Shelter Provisions and Timeline:

In December 2022, the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, Oregon Fire Marshals

Association, and the Department of State Fire Marshal issued a Technical Advisory

regarding the use of temporary shelters in buildings that are not classified as residential

occupancies. The advisory notes that local jurisdictions may impose stricter

requirements or prohibit temporary shelters altogether.

In the meantime, the County will provide transportation as a means of attempting to serve their Lincoln City guests at the Newport location. Shelter manager Chantelle Estees said that transportation is not always an option for some of their clients. This has also been hard on their staff. Three full time staff went to part time and two staff are now unemployed.

Estees stated "We are deeply saddened by the forced closure of the Lincoln City Winter Shelter. Today marks the last time guests in Lincoln City will leave until further notice. Words cannot fully express the immense fear we feel for those who will be forced back onto the streets to face the harsh weather on the coast." Unfortunately, she said the County can do nothing more than transport guests to the Newport Shelter. "However, our experience during the initial transportation at the beginning of the season revealed significant challenges." Some of those challeges include:

1. Many guests relapsed into substance abuse due to the added stress and negative feelings associated with returning to Newport. Encounters with people and places connected to addictive behaviors—including sights and smells—make it harder for individuals to stay on the path to sobriety.

2. The intense fear of traveling with unfamiliar people. Fear is a powerful emotion, often triggered by the anticipation or awareness of danger, and for many, this ‘fight-or-flight’ response is overwhelming and difficult to overcome.

3. The inability to transport animals who have experienced past trauma from vehicles, causing fear and aggression that prevents any transportation.

4. The risk of breaching probation conditions, leading to serious consequences.

5. The fear of losing their job, as transportation times often conflict with employment schedules.

Estees said "These are just the top five reasons, but there are many other statistically proven factors that highlight the importance of meeting people where they are in their journey toward stabilization. Once again, we are deeply concerned for those unable to access shelter—not simply because they choose not to, but because they are unable to." Lincoln County Commissioner Hall expressed disappointment regarding the Lincoln

City shelter. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen multiple actions by the governor and legislature that convey a strong intent to make emergency shelter as widely available as possible,” she said.