Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently celebrated the opening of the new Baker Building in Astoria. The building was developed by Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare (CBH) and Edlen & Company and provides 32 affordable apartments for people experiencing mental health challenges or substance use disorders. At least nine of the homes are for people with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness.
Governor Tina Kotek said every person living in Oregon deserves a safe and stable home. She explained that projects like the Baker Building show how communities can combine housing with behavioral health services so people can recover and thrive.
The building is named after Amy Baker, the governor’s behavioral health initiative director, to honor her work supporting the community’s needs in the region.
This is the first large Permanent Supportive Housing project created by CBH. Residents started moving in around late March. The project is designed to reduce homelessness by offering both housing and on‑site services in one place. CBH will provide services like:
- Mental health treatment
- Substance use support
- Medication management
- Peer support
- Psychiatric care
The Baker Building was funded through state, federal, and local partnerships. This includes support from House Bills 5024 and 5202, OHCS Permanent Supportive Housing funds, OHA, and Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization (CPCCO).
OHA visited the Baker Building earlier this month to chat with CBH Housing Program Manager Camille Leavitt, and one of the building’s new residents. Click the button below to view the video:
To learn more, visit Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare’s website or call 503-325-5722.