Clackamas County says ‘no’ to transitional housing for unhoused people

Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith reversed her support Wednesday for a state-funded purchase and conversion of a motel to serve as temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness, nixing the deal. The county received $8 million from the state’s Project Turnkey to purchase The Quality Inn at 9717 SE Sunnyside Road after the county commission voted 3-2 in February to move forward the $15.2 million purchase. Gov. Tina Kotek expressed her disappointment in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive. “I’m absolutely stunned by Chair Smith’s reversal today,” Kotek said. “Project Turnkey is...