Governor Tina Kotek Visits Coos Bay for Key Housing Collaboration Meeting
 On June 11, 2025, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek visited the Coos Bay area, along with staff support from Jessica LaBerge, one of the Governor’s Regional Solutions Coordinators, assigned to the South Coast and Southern Oregon Regions. Governor Kotek invited a select few community members for a discussion on several topics, including housing production and challenges, workforce programs tied to the trades, and more specifically the efforts underway in Coos County under Executive Order 23-02.
Executive Order 23-02 (EO 23-02) provided for funding throughout Oregon to help re-house individuals and families, along with increasing the shelter bed network across the state. Governor Kotek met with Coos Bay City Manager Nichole Rutherford, Coquille Indian Housing Authority Executive Director Anne Cook, and Matt Vorderstrasse, Executive Director of the North Bend City/Coos-Curry Housing Authorities. The group gathered at the Pancake Mill Restaurant and Pie Shoppe for a focused and productive conversation around the effort that has been underway to meet the objectives of EO 23-02. Under this funding, and in partnership with Alternative Youth Activities, 32 youth and family households in this community have been connected to housing, including necessary supportive services intended to stabilize the individuals in long-term housing. This meeting represents the importance of deep and collaborative community connections, especially when Tribal government is included, as through Coquille Indian Housing Authority. Through these connections, Coos County is about to realize eight additional shelter beds to support the youth in our area, operated by Alternative Youth Activities.
Another topic of discussion was the Service Providers and Regional Connections (SPARC) Network—a collaborative initiative building momentum across the South Coast. SPARC aims to strengthen coordination and continuity among housing and service providers to better meet community needs. The visit highlighted the importance of cross-jurisdictional collaboration and the critical role local leaders play in driving progress. We appreciate Governor Kotek’s time, thoughtful engagement, and ongoing support for regional solutions. Her visit reinforced the shared commitment to addressing housing instability and improving outcomes for individuals and families across our communities.
-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay
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