Egan Warming Centers Secure Two Sites, Expand Services Despite 50% Cuts

St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County said Feb. 10 that the Egan Warming Centers program lost half of its previously designated budget, about $151,000, and must pivot to continue operating this winter. Despite the cut, SVdP has secured two dedicated warming sites and will prioritize the Lane Events Center at the fairgrounds as its primary shelter when the venue is available.

SVdP identified the two permanent sites as The Zone at 530 Hwy. 99 N in Eugene and a modular tent shelter in Springfield’s former Waremart parking lot at Mohawk and Centennial. Reports state each new dedicated site can accommodate about 100 guests, though SVdP has warned overall bed space will be reduced compared with last year. Egan Warming Centers are scheduled to operate Nov. 15 through March 31 and activate on nights when overnight temperatures dip below 30 degrees.

The program loss follows state-level cuts to homeless services. Roxy Mayer, a spokesperson for Gov. Tina Kotek, wrote that lawmakers funded homeless services 6% less than the governor recommended and based Lane County’s allocation on 2024 numbers; Mayer also said the legislature cut funding for rehousing and prevention services. Eugene Housing and Homelessness Communications Manager Amber Allan characterized the local effect as broader strain: “They’re really down to the bare minimum, and really essentially only providing a place to sleep, shower, use the restroom, those basics, but not the additional supports.”

SVdP has already reduced case-management staff within its shelter programs to comply with the new budget, and officials acknowledge the reductions will constrain the scope of services beyond overnight shelter. Bill Barnard, SVdP director of operations, framed the program’s role succinctly: “Egan Warming Centers are the last stop for so many with nowhere else to go.”

Local officials had earlier feared the funding shortfall might leave the system able to run only three sites, but SVdP’s announcement indicates it will consistently operate the two named sites and use the Lane Events Center as the primary site when scheduling allows. That arrangement aims to preserve emergency shelter capacity even as staffing, case management and additional supports are cut back.

SVdP is asking the public for donations of winter clothing, socks and boots and for monetary gifts to purchase food and supplies. The organization also announced volunteer orientations in November and December for the winter season; SVdP’s Egan Warming Centers webpage has updated donation and volunteer information. For Lane County residents, the changes mean fewer beds and fewer on-site services than last winter, but continued shelter availability on severe-cold nights; community donations and volunteers will directly affect how many people receive those last-resort services.