Ashland city council rejects millions in state funds, votes to close homeless shelter

City councilors in Ashland voted 5 - 1 this week to close its 24/7 emergency homeless shelter. The city opened the shelter last November. Oregon state officials had offered Ashland $1.8 million for renovations and $800,000 for operational funds for the facility. But the councilors voted to decline the funding and shut the shelter down when the current state funding ends March 31. Meanwhile, the council is currently working on a master plan for addressing homelessness. Jefferson Public Radio reporter Jane Vaughan joins us to tell us more the decision to close the shelter and the ongoing need for homeless services in Ashland.

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