The Super 8 motel in Ashland is still taking reservations, but not for much longer. It will soon have a new life as a shelter for people who are struggling to find housing, either because of the COVID-19 pandemic or the fires of last summer.
The Oregon Legislature's Emergency Board set up Project Turnkey last fall to buy up older motels for this purpose, and the Super 8 is the first to be purchased. It will become home to OHRA, Options for Helping Residents of Ashland, with an eye to a permanent use as transitional or supportive housing.
The Oregon Community Foundation is making the grants for Project Turnkey; our guests are OCF's Megan Loeb, OHRA's Michelle Arellano, and State Rep. Pam Marsh.