SEASIDE — A dedication ceremony for Esperanza Village, a long-awaited, low-barrier micro-shelter project for the homeless, was held Wednesday afternoon.

Fifteen pallet houses, each equipped with a bed and storage space, will become available to people in mid-October. The houses, each of which are 64 square feet, are single occupancy, though residents will be allowed to bring a pet.

The property, located next to the South County Community Food Bank on N. Roosevelt Drive, also offers a community room where people can store food and socialize, along with several small bathrooms equipped with showers.

The project was announced in early 2023 and had initially been expected to open that summer. But permitting requirements, among other factors, posed an obstacle to the timeline.

“It’s a new concept to all of us,” Viviana Matthews, the executive director of Clatsop Community Action, said of the tiny homes. “So as a new concept, there’s a lot of things that we learn about. Permits was a big one … And then we were also so close to the water, so you have to do some mitigation to make sure that it doesn’t flood during high tide.”

Esperanza Village sits in front of Neawanna Creek and was leased from Bill Montero, a local business owner and active member of the Seaside Rotary Club.

“Esperanza is a project of determination, community and hope,” Matthews said. “Hope for those who are here to have a better future. And yes, it sounds a little cliche, but it sounds really good, doesn’t it?”

Clatsop Community Action will be the point of contact for potential applicants hoping to move in. Matthews said the social services agency would conduct an evaluation of each applicant to determine their candidacy.

She also emphasized that Esperanza Village is not just housing units, but a housing program. Residents, who are expected to stay for a year on average, will collaborate with case managers as they work to secure permanent housing.

Esperanza Village will have Clatsop Community Action staff on-site 24/7 to assist residents and ensure their safety and success.

Much of the funding for the project came from the Oregon Health Authority’s Behavioral Health Resource Networks grant program, which was formed after voters approved Measure 110 — a drug decriminalization law — in 2020.

Due to the source of the funding, the low-barrier status of the housing means people do not have to be screened or sober to live there, though they are not permitted to consume illicit substances on the premises.

“This is not going to just be some little buildings on an old vacant lot,” Mayor Steve Wright said. “This is going to be a sanctuary where individuals who have the desire will find safety and support, will have access to the resources that they need to help rebuild their lives.

“Here, they will have more than just a roof over their heads. They will find personal guidance and access to the services that will help them to eventually transition into more permanent housing.”