Neighborhood Partnerships mourns the loss of Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall, who passed away on January 4, 2026. A former member of Neighborhood Partnerships’ board, Commissioner Hall remained a fearless champion for housing justice throughout her more than twenty years of public service.
At a time when housing advocates increasingly face opposition and hostility, Commissioner Hall never wavered in her commitment to those experiencing homelessness and families struggling to find affordable housing, both on the Oregon Coast and across the state. As a Lincoln County Commissioner, she chaired the Oregon Housing Stability Council and co-chaired the Oregon Ending Homelessness Advisory Council, overseeing the creation of hundreds of affordable housing units across the state.
She took special pride in establishing warming shelters for Lincoln County’s unhoused population and secured $1 million in state funding for a pilot project to drastically reduce homelessness. She championed innovative solutions, including supporting the Harbor Village RV park residents in creating a resident-owned cooperative.
In 2008, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness honored Commissioner Hall with the “Home for Every American Award” at a conference in Washington, D.C. She was one of only two county officials nationwide to receive the award, recognizing her leadership at the local, state, and national levels on homelessness issues.
The housing justice movement needs more champions like Claire Hall, leaders willing to stand strong for what’s right, even when the work becomes difficult. Her legacy strengthens our resolve to continue this vital work.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and the many communities she served.