McMinnville Cooperative Ministries has allowed 4 tents to provide shelter for a small homeless population on their property. They have been working on coordinating efforts with other Churches and non-profits for long term solutions but the City has backed out of the collaboration with the church.

The City of McMinnville and the Police Department provided notice on December 11, 2014 and again at the end of February to the church demanding eviction of the homeless, citing them as a "Chronic Nuisance" and "Zoning Violation." If the CoOp fails to evict the church the City has threatened to take them to Court and stated they will issue a $500 per day fine. Unfortunately, McMinnville Cooperative Ministries does not have the funds to pay the fines. Sign this petition to tell the City of McMinnville that it is unacceptable to evict homeless people from Church property, especially during the winter months.

Can you imagine sleeping outside in 40 degree weather without a shelter? During the winter months in McMinnville there is a winter shelter that is ONLY OPEN WHEN THE FORECAST CALLS FOR FREEZING TEMPERATURES. The Union Gospel Mission provides only 17 beds and they are typically full. There were over 1200 homeless individuals counted in McMinnville in 2014 (source: Yamhill Valley News Register). The City of McMinnville does not provide an alternative for the homeless, so if the Church is forced to evict them, they will be back on the streets.