New transitional housing units have arrived at the Family Assistance and Resource Center, which are expected to provide housing for up to 34 people.
Interim City Manager Jason Ogden informed the City Council on Jan. 28 that the units began arriving that week. The sleep shelter received 15 gable-style sheds that will be used as emergency shelter housing.
The “tiny homes” were funded by a $435,000 grant through the Linn County MAC group, with $265,000 of the funds going toward the purchase of small houses and the remaining $170,000 toward their management and maintenance.

The grant was originally offered to the City of Sweet Home to purchase transitional housing units “only for families with children” because the city, in partnership with the school district, identified families as a group in need of housing. The city planned to put the units on city-owned property near Osage and 42nd.
However, it was revealed at a December 2024 City Council meeting that unexpected costs associated with the project forced the city to “pivot” and, instead, pass the funding to FAC so they could take advantage of additional housing opportunities.
“FAC has been a partner with the city for at least a couple two, three years now,” Ogden said in December. “They already have an established facility… and additionally, their site already has utilities and critical infrastructure in place.”
New Interim City Manager Selected
The City Council approved Assistant City Manager Cecily Pretty as the next interim city manager after Ogden’s term expires this week.
In the event that the city does not have a city manager, the city’s charter allows for a pro tem (interim) city manager to step into the function for a maximum of six months.
After former City Manager Kelcey Young left Sweet Home in August 2024, Ogden stepped into the interim role, but his six-month term is set to expire on Feb. 7. As such, he asked the council to appoint the next interim manager.
During these past six months, the city solicited applicants to fill the city manager position, but they are still reviewing applicants.
In other business:
- Resident Regina Hayes asked for attention at Elm Street near Oak Heights Elementary school where, she said, drivers are speeding and not coming to complete stops at stop signs, and putting pedestrian children at risk.
- Mayor Susan Coleman, and councilors Josh Thorstad and Chelsea Augsburger were appointed to the Admin, Finance and Property Committee; Councilor Ken Bronson was appointed to the Community Health Committee; Councilor Augsburger was appointed to the Library Advisory Board; Councilor Aaron Hegge was appointed to the Park and Tree Committee; councilors Thorstad and Dylan Richards were appointed to the Public Traffic Safety Committee; councilors Angelita Sanchez and Bronson were appointed to the Area Committee on Transportation; councilors Bronson and Sanchez were appointed to the Council of Governments; Councilor Hegge was appointed to the Chamber of Commerce; and Councilor Richards was appointed to the Solid Waste Advisory.
The Arts and Culture Ad Hoc Committee was closed.
An ad hoc committee for the Charter Review Committee was established with appointees Councilor Thorstad, former councilor Lisa Gourley, Gary Jarvis, Melanie Jones, Kristen Adams, Mike Reynolds and Jeff Parker.
- The council approved $856,000 in appropriations to the Capital Outlay in the Library Fund. Ogden explained that donations for the library had been moved out of the Library Fund in 2022 during restructuring of city funds. Today’s actions moved the library’s funds back into an appropriate line item.
- The council appointed city Finance Director Matt Brown as Budget Officer for FY 2025-26.
- The council approved resolutions calling for an election to renew levies for police and library services. Ogden explained that both five-year levies, if approved, would renew the current levies at the same tax rate. The election will take place May 20, 2025.
- The council held a work session with the Planning Commission prior to the City Council meeting to review a work-in-process Transportation System Plan.