Wasco Co. continues backing housing program

THE DALLES — On April 15, Wasco County Commissioners unanimously renewed a state grant for transitional housing that helps reduce jail use and stabilize residents cycling through emergency services, which the board framed as a rare and increasingly critical piece of the region’s housing and behavioral health system.

The IMPACT agreement, funded through Oregon’s Criminal Justice Commission, will provide up to $193,448 in support for a sober housing program at La Casa Vida, a facility near Fourth Street that serves people at risk of incarceration or hospitalization.

“It’s a renewal of a grant we’ve done before,” Community Corrections Manager Fritz Bachman told the board, explaining how La Casa Vida not only provides folks a place to establish residency, but also behavioral health services. Each resident is assigned a peer mentor and a case manager, with support tailored to mental health and substance use needs.

Commissioners described the housing as scarce but essential infrastructure in a county with limited options for people leaving the justice system. The program began in 2022.

“It’s one of the few places where we have permanent housing, supported housing,” Commissioner Phil Brady said during the meeting. “So, it’s very valuable ... because it’s rare.”

A housing tool tied to public safety

Unlike traditional corrections spending, the program reflects a shift toward prevention: using housing stability to reduce repeat offenses and emergency interventions.

Bachman said the facility is open both to justice-involved clients and others in the community who are at risk of entering that system. The county acts primarily as a pass-through entity for the funding, which is administered by local service providers, including Bridges to Change and Mid-Columbia Center for Living.

No changes to the program came with renewal, and Bachman highlighted the positive outcomes.

“The recidivism has plummeted for people ... whether they graduate or not,” Bachman said. “Many people just move on in their lives and are paying their taxes.”

Local evolution of a national model

The program’s structure, combining housing with case management and peer support, reflects a growing national emphasis on “wraparound services” as a way to reduce strain on jails and hospitals. Locally, officials said the model has taken time to gain acceptance.

“There was a lot of education,” Commission Chair Scott Hege said, recalling early skepticism. “This isn’t a halfway house ... it’s a place to be, and if they’re not doing well, they’re not there.”

Bridges to Change began managing day-to-day operations in 2023, stepping in after Center for Living determined it could not operate the facility at the needed level. The program is currently full, according to Bachman.

Funding reduced

The renewed grant comes with a reduced award, though local partners have agreed to help keep the program running through August 2027.

“Center for Living is going to fill a gap,” Bachman said, “to keep it funded through the length of the grant.”

The $193,448 will be distributed in installments through 2027, according to the agreement. Despite the reduction, commissioners voiced strong support, approving the agreement without dissent.

“I’m pretty familiar with the program… and it’s a good program,” Commissioner Jeff Justesen said. “Highly in support of it.”