Umatilla County gives permission to use 10 acres for a homeless facility
By Terry Murry on Friday, September 10th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WEST UMATILLA COUNTY – The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners is allowing 10 acres of county-owned land to be used for establishing a warming center and some form of homeless shelter on the west side of the county.
Board Chairman George Murdock said the city of Umatilla is taking the lead on the project which also involves Hermiston, Echo, and Stanfield.
“They have a $1 million grant,” Murdock said. “There are other organizations within those communities who are involved and they’re all working together.”
The 10 acres of county-owned land is at the intersection of Lind and Bensel Roads. It was part of an 18.5-acre plot that the county acquired for back taxes in 1935. The southern portion of the property, approximately eight acres, is leased to a third party for storage purposes.
