The city will direct $30,000 to support Clatsop County’s plan to convert the Columbia Inn in Astoria into housing for the homeless.

The former 22-room motel on Marine Drive, which was acquired by the county through the state’s Project Turnkey 2.0, will be operated by Clatsop Community Action and The Harbor and will likely help victims of domestic violence, families, the LGBTQ+ community, Latinos, veterans and people undergoing treatment for substance abuse.

Clatsop Community Action provides housing, food and energy assistance, while The Harbor works with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

During a City Council meeting on Monday, City Manager Scott Spence said costs for a number of capital improvements to the building have increased, including the installation of a new sprinkler system.

“So, we’re putting forward a partnership with Clatsop County in the amount of $30,000,” Spence said, adding that the money will come from a line item in the budget allocated for housing and homelessness projects.

The City Council voted 4 to 1 to approve the intergovernmental agreement between the city and county for the funding.

City Councilor Tom Hilton was the sole vote against the agreement.

“It’s not up to us. They took a building out of our property tax rolls — that’s what they did,” he said. “The county had the money. The county gets the money from the state and federal government to do this. I don’t think we should be giving them anything to do this. I believe that they have the money. They failed to plan.”

The county expects to hold a ribbon-cutting for the Columbia Inn on July 31.