Deschutes County sells Bethlehem Inn to new owners

With a financing deal in place, Deschutes County commissioners voted Monday to sell the Bethlehem Inn homeless shelter to a group organized by Housing Works, until the shelter’s nonprofit operators can purchase the $1 million building.

Gwenn Wysling, executive director of the Bethlehem Inn, called it a big step in the right direction for the shelter. They hope to ultimately be able to own the building themselves.

The county bought the former motel building on N. Highway 97 in 2007. The shelter has been trying to buy it from them ever since, but had not been able to raise enough money. Now Housing Works is stepping in as the interim owner.

The Bethlehem Inn hopes to be the owners soon, thanks in part to a recent $200,000 state grant.

“We have been able to secure 50 percent of the funds to purchase the property and we’re working on the remaining 50 percent, which we hope to able to do and complete by the end of this year,” Wysling said.

In February, the Oregon State Housing Council approved a $200,000 grant to help the shelter buy the property.

Owning the property will be a game-changer for the Bethlehem Inn. They could finally make some much-needed improvements on the building. Wysling said they are in dire need of a new kitchen, for example.

More info: http://bethleheminn.org/