A new nonprofit organization has launched in McMinnville with a mission focused on addressing homelessness through permanent supportive housing.
MATCH stands for McMinnville Action To Create Housing. MATCH President Brad Durham said the organization officially began operations in September and is now beginning its first public outreach efforts.
“We’re advocates to create permanent supportive housing, and our mission is to help leverage resources and work with strategic partners to develop permanent supportive housing for the homeless,” Durham said.
Durham said the organization is focused on collaboration rather than direct service delivery. He said MATCH aims to bring together local governments, nonprofits, and agencies to work toward shared housing solutions.
The group plans to help coordinate housing searches and supportive services for unhoused individuals in McMinnville. Durham said the goal is to help people secure long-term, stable housing rather than temporary solutions.
Durham said his interest in this work stems from decades of experience. He said he previously worked with homeless families in Boston and Cambridge during the 1980s. Durham said his past work helped shape his understanding of housing insecurity. He said those experiences reinforced the importance of stable housing paired with supportive services.
Durham said the nonprofit is still in its early stages and is focused on building awareness and collaboration. Durham said homelessness remains a significant issue locally.
“Any city in America has a crisis with affordable housing,” he said, noting recent counts that show dozens of unhoused individuals in Warren County.
MATCH leaders say the nonprofit’s early efforts are focused on community engagement. Durham said the organization hopes to create momentum that leads to long-term housing solutions for McMinnville.