Caring Place Update: Solving Homelessness through Community Collaboration

Event Overview

The Oregon City Business Alliance hosted a panel forum focused on Caring Place, a multi-agency project aimed at addressing homelessness through coordinated community services. The event provided an in-depth look at how city and county agencies, nonprofits, and local leaders are coming together to launch a centralized service hub on Main Street in Oregon City.

Commissioner Ben West opened the event with remarks on Clackamas County’s recovery-oriented system of care and the essential role Caring Place will play within it. Moderated by local business owner Dan Fowler, the forum featured voices from local government, health care, housing, and nonprofit sectors—all united around a vision of collaborative, compassionate care.

Panelists offered updates on project progress, described the services that will be offered, and spoke candidly about the challenges of coordination, funding, and public perception. The discussion emphasized trust-building with the unhoused population, breaking down silos between service providers, and leveraging the facility’s proximity to public transit to create an accessible and dignified space.

The forum concluded with a Q&A session, where community members asked about funding, safety, and opportunities for involvement. Presenters stressed that Caring Place is not a quick fix, but a strategic, long-term response shaped by collaboration and driven by the needs of the people it aims to serve.

Presenter

Ben West, Clackamas County Commissioner​
Website

Speakers

Amy Lindgren​ – Oregon City Municipal Judge​
Website

​Andrew Suchocki​ – Clackamas Health Clinic Medical Director​
LinkedIn

​Brandi Johnson​ – The Father’s Heart & LoveOne​, Executive Director​
Website, LinkedIn

​Glen Suchanek​ – LoveOne Deputy Director
Website

John Duke​ – HSCCC Executive Director​
LinkedIn

​Tony Konkol​ – City Manager of Oregon City​
Website​

Vahid Brown​ – Clackamas County Housing & Community Development Executive Director​
LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

1. Caring Place is a Centralized, Collaborative Response to Homelessness

• Located on Main Street in Oregon City, Caring Place will bring multiple service providers together under one roof to better serve unhoused individuals.
• The project represents a unique public-private collaboration across city, county, nonprofit, and medical sectors.

2. The Project is Focused on Access, Dignity, and Long-Term Housing

• Caring Place is not just about temporary shelter—it’s designed to offer hygiene services, medical care, mental health support, case management, and connections to permanent housing.
• Proximity to transit is intentional to ensure accessibility for those most in need.

3. Homelessness is Addressed Most Effectively Through Community Trust and Coordination

• Speakers emphasized that relationship-building is critical: service providers like The Father’s Heart and LoveOne see trust as the first step to recovery.
• The collaboration includes courts, healthcare providers, and housing navigators working in tandem to prevent duplication and close service gaps.

4. Oregon City and Clackamas County Are Taking a Systems Approach

• The Caring Place is part of Clackamas County’s “recovery-oriented system of care,” which includes health clinics, housing services, behavioral health care, and community courts.
• Leaders are working to align municipal and county services while leveraging private philanthropy and community partnerships.

5. Civic Leadership is Critical—and So is Community Buy-In

• Commissioner Ben West, City Manager Tony Konkol, and Judge Amy Lindgren all noted the importance of political will and community support to make the project a long-term success.
• The project’s transparency, open dialogue, and cross-sector participation aim to foster public trust.

6. Project Status: On Track, But Funding and Staffing are Key Next Steps

Staffing for the facility’s 24/7 operations and wraparound services is a key challenge, and advocates are encouraging public and private investment.

The building is secured and under renovation, but full funding is still in progress.

Key Topics & Speaker Highlights

Ben West

Clackamas County Commissioner

• Framed Caring Place as part of the county’s “recovery-oriented system of care,” connecting housing, health care, and judicial services.
• Emphasized “meeting people where they are” and focusing on human dignity and long-term outcomes, not just temporary fixes.
• Urged attendees to see homelessness as a health and infrastructure issue, not just a public safety concern.

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Amy Lindgren

Oregon City Municipal Judge

• Described the Oregon City Community Court as a key partner in Caring Place.
• Shared that 88% of participants in the court program are unhoused and most are dealing with addiction or mental illness.
• Highlighted the role of the court in offering support instead of punishment, redirecting people to services and care instead of fines and jail.

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Brandi Johnson & Glen Suchanek

The Father’s Heart & LoveOne

• Brandi described the gap in services between outreach and permanent housing, emphasizing that Caring Place will fill that void.
• Glen emphasized the importance of relationship-building and trust. He noted that people must feel safe before they accept help.
• They shared how The Father’s Heart has moved over 300 people into housing, and how access to showers and hygiene is a gateway to further care.

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Andrew Suchocki

Clackamas Health Centers, Medical Director

• Shared that many individuals seen at the clinic are unhoused, uninsured, and managing multiple health issues.
• Stressed the benefit of integrating health care with housing and court systems to reduce emergency room visits and connect people to consistent care.
• Cited data showing that ER visits and arrests drop sharply once someone gets into housing and is engaged with care.

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John Duke

Executive Director, Homeless Solutions Coalition of Clackamas County

• Clarified the coalition’s role in organizing Caring Place and securing collaboration among many service providers.
• Described Caring Place as a “central hub” that doesn’t duplicate services but strengthens coordination.
• Noted that the project is community-driven, not government-mandated.

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Tony Konkol

Oregon City Manager

• Spoke to the city’s involvement in site selection, planning, and long-term vision for Caring Place.
• Emphasized the need for community buy-in and transparency throughout the process.
• Discussed how this project aligns with Oregon City’s broader goals for livability and public service delivery.

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Vahid Brown

Clackamas County Housing & Community Development Executive Director

• Described how Coordinated Housing Access connects people with the right resources at the right time.
• Emphasized that Caring Place is not a shelter, but a service navigation hub that helps people enter the housing system and stay connected to care.
• Spoke to the data-driven approach the county is using to target funding and improve outcomes.

Expanded Q&A: Key Audience Questions

Q1: What is the current status of the Caring Place building?

John Duke:

• The building has been secured and is undergoing renovations.
• The site was selected for its location near the transit line and walkability.
• Renovation funding is underway, and staff recruitment is a key next step.

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Q2: Will Caring Place be a shelter?

Multiple panelists (Brandi Johnson, Vahid Brown, John Duke):

• No, Caring Place is not a shelter. It’s a service hub.
• It will provide access to hygiene, health care, navigation services, mental health support, and connections to housing resources.
• The goal is to fill the gap between street outreach and permanent housing.

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Q3: How will safety be addressed at Caring Place—for both clients and the surrounding neighborhood?

Amy Lindgren:

• Community Court experience shows that when individuals are offered support, they respond positively.
• Having partners like the court and police involved in the collaboration fosters accountability and coordination.

Tony Konkol:

• The city is working to ensure safety planning is part of the facility’s operations.
• Emphasized transparency and community involvement to address concerns.

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Q4: How will services be staffed and funded long-term?

John Duke:

• Funding is being approached through multiple channels, including grants and philanthropy.
• Staffing is one of the biggest current needs—partners are collaborating to coordinate hiring and coverage.

Brandi Johnson:

• Nonprofits are committed, but sustainable funding and staffing will require broader support and investment.

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Q5: How can the public get involved or help?

Brandi Johnson and Glen Suchanek:

• Donations, volunteering, and advocacy are all welcome.
• Encouraged people to support the project by talking to neighbors, attending public meetings, and helping to reduce stigma around homelessness.

Ben West:

• Emphasized that community education is key to reducing fear and increasing support.
• Urged people to see this as an infrastructure and health investment—not just a charity project.

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Q6: Will this reduce visible homelessness downtown?

Tony Konkol and John Duke:

Caring Place is part of a broader effort to stabilize lives, which ultimately leads to reduced street presence.

The goal is not just to move people but to engage them with services that result in long-term housing.