Medford, OR – Rogue Retreat, a non-profit organization based in Medford, has officially taken over the operation of Ashland’s severe weather shelter for the winter season. The shelter, located at 2200 Ashland St., will remain open for 90 consecutive days from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., providing a safe space for individuals in need of warmth and shelter.
Rogue Retreat’s Executive Director, Sam Engle, noted that as the weather turns colder and wetter, the organization expects more individuals to seek refuge at the shelter. “We’re expecting as the word on the street gets out and as the weather potentially gets colder and wetter again, that we’ll see more people come in,” Engle said.
The City of Ashland had reached out to Rogue Retreat after the organization provided similar services in previous years. This partnership with Ashland Emergency Management will ensure that the shelter remains available to the community during the harsh winter months.
The shelter, which opened on Wednesday evening, has a capacity for 28 people, including staff. However, due to fire code limitations, only half of that number—14 people—are allowed to sleep at the shelter at any given time. The fire code restricts the number of sleeping units due to the limited number of smoke detectors in the building. Engle explained that the City of Ashland is looking into solutions to improve the shelter’s safety, including better fire suppression systems and enhanced smoke detection.
“They’re excited about looking at fire suppression or better smoke systems, better exiting, maybe fire lighting and things like that that would make it a safer space for people to stay,” Engle said.
Rogue Retreat is also offering its navigation services to help shelter guests explore their options for longer-term housing and support. Engle highlighted the significance of their peer support program, which pairs individuals with lived experiences in housing instability with those currently facing similar challenges. “People who have lived experience working with an individual to find that individual’s path,” Engle said, emphasizing the value of understanding personal circumstances when helping others.
The efforts of Ashland Emergency Management and Southern Oregon Housing for All (SOHFA) have been instrumental in making the shelter’s operation possible. Engle expressed gratitude for their collaboration and said the community’s response will shape how these services are delivered moving forward.
“We know that Ashland needs these services, and we know that every community in southern Oregon is dealing with homelessness and shelter in some way, and we just want to make sure that however we’re doing it, as a community, we’re keeping doors open, lights on, and people warm, dry and safe,” Engle added.
As Rogue Retreat manages the shelter through the 90-day period, the community will continue to assess how best to meet the growing demand for shelter services, with discussions ongoing about the future of such services in Ashland and beyond.