YMCA Veterans’ Housing in Salem
Courtney Place
Thanks in part to $6.1 million from Oregon Lottery-backed bonds, Courtney Place thrives as state-of-the-art, 34-unit housing development serving low income and at-risk veterans from Marion and Polk counties in Salem. But it is more than just housing — it is a community launching pad for self-sufficiency and long-term success where veterans can truly belong.
Addressing Veteran Homelessness — Head On
It’s estimated that about one in ten people experiencing homelessness in Oregon is a military veteran. They struggle with many of the same challenges that other unhoused people do but can also be impacted by issues relating to their service to our country. Some experience PTSD; others may find it difficult simply transitioning to civilian life and work. It is the vision of Courtney Place that no human being should experience homelessness, and particularly not a veteran. As such, Courtney Place is designed to address the challenges that are unique to veterans.
Courtney Place, pictured here, opened in Salem in 2024.
Wraparound Services
Courtney Place goes beyond just providing housing and instead integrates comprehensive, wraparound services that are tailored to the veterans’ unique needs. This ensures that the residents not only have a place to call home but also the tools to rebuild their lives.
Some examples of the many additional services include:
- Shuttle transportation to appointments
- Assistance with scheduling and attending healthcare visits
- Help with navigating and obtaining veteran-specific benefits, at the VA and beyond
- Assistance with grocery shopping and meal planning
- Social support system and special holiday events
- Special trips around Oregon, like surfing lessons at the coast!
This is a model program because it’s not just a roof over your head, but it helps you recover, move forward, gives you that time to heal.— Chris Clifton, US Army Veteran
Each Veteran Has a Story
Gene was getting priced out of his one-bedroom apartment by rising rents. He found himself relying on the kindness of strangers on the sidewalk to make ends meet. Chris wound up losing his home and found himself in unsafe living situations. Coehen and Joyce, two other veterans living at Courtney Place, echoed Chris’s experience that experiencing homelessness can feel like a struggle for survival.
Veterans returning home already face unique challenges to reintegrate, while retired veterans are often on fixed incomes and vulnerable to rising costs, limited access to healthcare, and social isolation. These personal stories of Courtney Place residents reveal the harsh realities veterans face and highlight how urgent and deeply human the need for stable housing is.
Health and Wellness
YMCA as a Resource
Services Right Across the Street
Because Courtney Place is a YMCA facility, residents are able to take advantage of YMCA programs that assist with life skills and job placement, helping them find a new path forward. They can also utilize the fitness facilities by joining group classes or rehabbing injuries in the pool and weight rooms. The comprehensive services of community mixed with fitness make the YMCA integral for healing and recovering.
Featured Projects
LOTTERY DOLLARS DOING GOOD THINGS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Economic Growth
State Parks
Outdoor School
Natural Habitats
Public Schools
