Housing

A single mother who was forced from her home due to plumbing issues and ended up on the streets. She has never experienced homelessness before this situation and had been sleeping in her car most of the time with some friends allowing her to stay at their places for one or two nights at random. She is working full-time and will be able to pay her rent in the coming months. This single mother received deposit and first month’s rent assistance because she was not able to save up money while being homeless. We were also able to assist her with personal care items and energy assistance as well to help this client receive a fresh start in a new apartment. She was so grateful to have assistance with the deposit and first month’s rent.

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Home » Housing » Shelter and Housing Services

Shelter Placement Process

Overview

Clatsop Community Action (CCA) provides emergency shelter services through a referral-based placement system. Shelter placements are made in coordination with community partners and are dependent on bed availability, program eligibility, and facility-specific requirements.

Individuals seeking shelter should work with a community partner, who can contact shelter staff directly to determine placement availability.

Step 1: Community Partner Contacts Shelter

Community partners may contact the appropriate shelter location at any time to inquire about bed availability and determine whether a referral can be accepted.

CCA currently operates:

Columbia Inn Shelter Project (Astoria)
The Columbia Inn provides shelter for:

Families (parents or legal guardians sheltering with dependent minor children)
Youth and young adults (ages 18–24)
Single adults

Please note:

Single adults and youth are housed in congregate settings.
Registered sex offenders are not eligible for placement at the Columbia Inn.
Individuals with a history of violent offenses may not be eligible for placement.

Esperanza Village (Seaside)
Esperanza Village serves:

Single adults
Individuals impacted by substance use disorder (SUD)

Unlike the Columbia Inn, Esperanza Village does not have the same sex offender restriction.

Step 2: Availability and Eligibility Screening

When a community partner contacts a shelter regarding a potential referral, shelter staff will:

Verify bed availability.
Review the shelter’s trespass and exclusion lists.
Determine whether the individual meets program-specific eligibility requirements.

If no appropriate space is available, shelter staff may provide information regarding alternative resources when possible.

Step 3: Referral Questionnaire

Confirm basic eligibility requirements.
Identify the most appropriate placement option.
Ensure accommodations align with the individual’s household composition and service needs.
Gather information necessary for intake and arrival planning.

Step 4: Intake Scheduling and Placement

Once the referral questionnaire has been completed and placement is approved, shelter staff will schedule intake and arrival.

CCA’s goal is to facilitate placement as quickly as possible, with same-day referrals and admissions occurring whenever capacity and staffing allow.

Individuals should arrive at the agreed-upon time and be prepared to complete any remaining intake requirements upon arrival.

Important Information

Shelter placement is based on current bed availability and program eligibility.
Referrals must be coordinated through community partners.
Placement is not guaranteed until availability, eligibility, and shelter clearance have been confirmed by shelter staff.
Different shelter programs have different eligibility requirements and operating procedures.
Shelter staff reserve the right to deny placement based on safety concerns, program restrictions, or shelter policies.