Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Houseless programs can assist with providing temporary shelter, helping you get back on your feet through transitional housing, and supporting you to get into permanent housing. Learn more about our Houseless Assistance programs here.
Our housing programs have limited funding and there is a high volume of people needing assistance. Get in contact if you’re looking for a transition into permanent housing via our Houseless Assistance page, and we’ll do everything we can to help you.
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If we can, we will.
Our Supportive Services for Veteran Families program works with Veteran individuals and families with a Veteran in the household who are experiencing houselessness to support obtaining permanent housing and housing stability.
Our veteran’s housing facility, The Hamilton, located in The Dalles often has a lengthy list of applicants, but not always.
Visit our Veteran’s Housing Assistance page to find out more.
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The short answer is yes, sometimes. Eligibility requirements for eviction prevention vary depending on the funding source, as does the dollar amount and length of time we can can provide a particular household. These funds are not always available and vary depending on the time of year, but we help as many people as we possibly can.
Visit our Housing Assistance page to learn about requirements and application steps.
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We offer a variety of energy assistance programs designed to assist low-income families and individuals with utility and heating fuel bills. Eligible families can receive benefits paid toward their heating bill, including natural gas, electricity, wood, propane, and oil costs. We also have programs that can cover water, sewer, or garbage, depending on funding availability.
Learn about eligibility and how to apply on our Utility Assistance Page.
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MCCAC partners with a number of local utility vendors to connect low-income community members to utility discount programs.
Learn more on our Utilities Assistance page.
MCCAC also refers qualifying low-income community members from Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties who are seeking home weatherization services to NeighborImpact, a private not-for-profit organization based out of Redmond, Oregon.
NeighborImpact is an experienced home weatherization service provider and supports households to complete home improvements that result in more comfortable and durable homes along with lower energy bills.
Community members can reach out to NeighborImpact directly on their website, at 541-316-2034 or homewx@neighborimpact.org.
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Give them our phone number or have them apply online, we’ll be happy to connect with them and get them some assistance.
To get started, visit our Assistance Request page.
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If you have completed one of our online forms and followed the process all the way to the end, the team have received your information and will contact you shortly.
We receive a high volume of requests for support, so please be patient as our team processes your information.
If you have not heard from them after more than 14 days or you’re in a crisis situation, please contact us.
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If you’re needing to change or cancel your scheduled appointment, please contact our offices at 541-298-5131 or reach out directly to your case manager or the person you scheduled the appointment with.
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Yes, If you’re struggling with the upload system or for any reason need to drop off completed forms, eligibility, or identification documents, you’re welcome to drop them off at the Gloria Navigation Center or the Hood River office. Please be sure to put them in an envelope with the head of household’s name on it AND the name of the staff member who should receive your documents.
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Program outcomes, funding information, and other data metrics are included in our Annual Report.
You can view MCCAC reports and program data on our Data & Reports page here.
The Gloria Center | Frequently Asked Questions
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House Bill 2006, from the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session, defines a Navigation Center as a low-barrier emergency shelter that connects individuals and families with health services, permanent housing and public benefits. MCCAC’s The Gloria Center provides a hub of services for multiple agencies as well as a 36-bed non-congregate emergency shelter.
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The Gloria Center serves community members in need of resources including housing stabilization supports, resource connection and resource navigation.
This includes seniors, people with disabilities, Veterans, Teens, families, LGBTQ+, Native, Latinx, and community members of color.
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Basic needs supplies
Housing stabilization services
Utility assistance
Veterans services
Resource connection
Monthly resource drop-in center
Emergency Shelter during severe weather events
Other services that assist with mitigating the impacts of poverty and creating pathways to self-sufficiency. It is important to note that not all these services are specific to those experiencing houselessness. Placing all these services in one central location and under one roof benefits everyone utilizing those services regardless of housing status due to the often overlapping nature of assistance needs.
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36-bed, non-congregate emergency shelter for those experiencing houselessness to provide safety from severe weather and air quality events.
Operated by MCCAC staff with support from community volunteers and partners, the Emergency Shelter is activated during extreme winter weather or other severe weather events.
Visit the Emergency Shelter and Monthly Drop-in Center page here.
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The Gloria Center emergency shelter opens during severe weather events. The shelter staff provide support and oversight of those accessing the shelter services. The shelter staff communicates closely with other community services and emergency shelter operations are supported by community volunteers.
The Gloria Center services are staffed 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Staff provide the wide array of services previously noted.
MCCAC also operates The Annex at 200 West 2nd, The Dalles. The Annex is open and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides longer term shelter and transitional housing options for those experiencing houselessness.
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Clients of the MCCAC shelter are provided with a range of services including:
MCCAC Housing Team works with each client to develop a personalized plan for reintegration into permanent housing.
The MCCAC Housing and Shelter staff meet weekly to triage the individual needs of each shelter client and ensure those needs are being met and the clients are working towards accessing permanent housing.
Mid-Columbia Center for Living offers behavioral health and crisis support services for families and individuals.
Bridges to Health brings Community Health Workers to help people understand how to navigate complicated systems and help health and social service systems understand how to better serve the individuals they work with.
One Community Health offers health services to people experiencing poverty.
And so much more…
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MCCAC shelter operations include rules based on best practices:
While the MCCAC shelter is a “low-barrier” shelter, we cannot serve individuals who have been convicted of a sex offense or arson charge.
MCCAC does not allow drugs or alcohol on site at its shelters or offices and strictly prohibits weapons and violence of any kind. In addition, shelter units are inspected daily to ensure units are kept clean, safe, and healthy.
Shelter clients must be on shelter premises between the hours of 10pm-7am. This applies to both emergency and transitional shelter. Exceptions may be granted for curfew hours if shelter guests have received approval from shelter management for employment-based reasons for not being on-site during these hours. Employment-based reasons require a letter from the employer stating the work schedule of the shelter client.
The Gloria Center and/or shelter clients will be trespassed from the site for non-compliance with site rules.
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While MCCAC does not have a meals program, the Bread and Blessings Community Meals Program serves food to anyone in need of a meal at The Gloria Center (2505 W 7th St.) every Mon-Fri from 9-10am.
Agencies co-located at The Gloria Center include:
MCCAC’s The Annex | Frequently Asked Questions
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The Annex was made possible through a transformative public/private partnership between Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), the State of Oregon, and the Oregon Community Foundation. The Annex, located at the former Oregon Motor Motel site, is now open and serving the community as a program of MCCAC.
Providing housing-focused shelter and permanent supportive housing (PSH) units, The Annex integrates supportive services on-site in collaboration with community partners, currently serving houseless individuals and families from Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties.
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Housing-Focused Shelter means a shelter intended to keep participants safe and out of the elements and to provide Housing-Focused activities that assist participants in exiting homelessness into a stable housing destination.
This includes a facility that is accessible to participants throughout the day and night, 7 days a week and during all seasons, an individualized housing service plan, and housing-focused case management and supportive services that assist participants on their path to stable housing.
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Permanent Supportive Housing combines long-term affordable housing with support services to address the needs of chronically homeless people. The services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment, and employment services.
The partnership with MCCFL enables MCCAC to provide comprehensive wraparound services to residents, including case management, healthcare connections, mental health support, and employment assistance.
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Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) owns and operates The Annex. MCCAC is a dedicated private 501c3 non-profit organization with over 60 years of service history, aiding low-income community members in Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties.
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The Annex is available as a resource to community members experiencing houselessness. This includes individuals and couples, families with children, veterans, and persons with disabilities, with a focus on clients of culturally specific and culturally responsive partners.
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The Annex offers a range of services and resource connection in the areas of Housing, Health and Wellness, Employment, and more.
Housing services include:
Housing case management
Rapid rehousing services
Housing placement services
Connection to Native and Tribal member-specific housing services through partnership with Nch’I Wana Housing
Connection to housing services for agricultural workers with Oregon Human Development Corporation
Veteran housing assistance
Health and Wellness services include:
Connection to physical health services
Connection to behavioral health services
Connection to healthcare benefits access
Food access
Connection to employment services including:
Resume and job application assistance
Career connections
Employment placement services
Additional services include:
Case management
Latinx specific services (provided through bilingual staff)
Youth and family services
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The Annex is staffed 24/7 by MCCAC with a peer support mentor residing on location and serving as on-call staff.
Overnight security is ensured through a local contracted security company.
In partnership with Mid-Columbia Center for Living, on-site behavioral health staff is also provided.
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Since 2021, MCCAC has successfully helped more than 200 individuals transition from shelter into long-term housing. MCCAC case managers play a crucial role in facilitating these transitions, leveraging their expertise and client relationships.
Strong case manager and client relationships increase opportunities for the people we serve. Our case managers are trained in best practices, work hard, and connect with our clients in a timely manner so that clients can have the maximum number of opportunities available to them. The work of our case managers is vital to supporting clients on their path to success.
The Annex, alongside The Gloria Center, plays an important role, enabling this work to take place and for our community to benefit from both shelter and access to supportive service providers.
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MCCAC has clear rules and guidelines for The Annex along with its other programs:
MCCAC’s programs, including at The Annex, do not serve individuals who are under sex offender registration requirements or who have been convicted of arson.
MCCAC does not allow drugs or alcohol on site at its program locations or offices and strictly prohibits weapons and violence of any kind. In addition, units are inspected regularly to ensure they are kept clean, safe, and healthy.
Shelter clients must be on premises between the hours of 10pm-7am. Exceptions may be granted for curfew hours if shelter guests have received approval from shelter staff for employment-based reasons. Employment-based reasons require a letter from the employer stating the work schedule of the client. Curfew does not apply to tenants living in Permanent Supportive Housing units.
Clients at The Annex will be exited from the site for non-compliance with site rules.
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The Annex staffing practices, layout, and operations are designed with safety and security at the forefront.
The Annex is staffed 24 hours a day including an on-site peer support mentor and contracted security.
The MCCAC staff conducts regular unit inspections and inspect areas around its site to ensure the neighborhood is well taken care of.
A security guard is on-site during overnight hours.
MCCAC monitors its sites utilizing full-site video surveillance.
MCCAC also has a strong working relationship with local law enforcement and behavioral health providers to ensure the safety of clients, the public, and The Annex staff.
It is important to note that MCCAC’s current operations have proven to be effective and successful, having a minimal impact on other public services. This is in part due to the ongoing communication and mutual respect between MCCAC staff, community providers, and clients. As rapport is built and maintained, the mutual respect for the site grows and creates a strong motivation for clients to follow the rules and ensure their own safety.
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No. The Annex is not a managed campground. RV, vehicle, and/or tent camping is not allowed anywhere on the property. Client and staff parking is included as part of the site design. The only overnight shelter available at the site are the rooms located within the converted motel.
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While services at The Annex include meals for clients living on site, there is not a meal program at The Annex that provides food service to the greater community.
However, the Bread and Blessings Community Meals Program serves food to anyone in need of a meal in The Dalles at The Gloria Center (2505 W 7th St.) every Mon-Fri from 9-10am.
The agencies that serve clients in The Annex include: