Forest Glen Senior Residence is visible from Interstate 5 near Canyonville and Seven Feathers Casino Resort.

Nine months after the threatened closure of the Forest Glen senior residence in Canyonville, evictions were underway Monday for more than two dozen mostly former homeless individuals who moved onsite after turmoil began for the aging retirement home earlier this year.

The property, known under the reassigned temporary monikers of Harmony Active Living and then Redemptive Ministries since the faux closure, has been the subject of community advocacy, at least two different management group interventions, concern from state leaders and myriad attempts by state and regional social services entities to relocate vulnerable residents.

Resident Tim Goldsworthy on Monday confirmed evictions were underway, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, for tenants who had not paid rent or who were living in the building for free.

“Everyone paying rent is safe,” Goldsworthy told the Rogue Valley Times in an email.

Goldsworthy is one of the residents who helped advocate for residents after an initial closure notice was issued to some 50 tenants and a dozen live-in employees of Harmony Active Living LLC, the company then managing the property.

Property owner Terry Emmert Sr., who called the Rogue Valley Times late Monday, confirmed the evictions were orders for some 30 non-paying tenants.

He said there was misinformation about the eviction process, that evictions had been done at the advice of his attorneys and that he hoped to rehabilitate the structure to “maintain low-income housing for the region.”

While the building was noticed in February as closing “effective immediately,” residents rallied — with community meetings, former employees volunteering to cook meals and manage the building, and a series of grassroots fundraisers to keep the utility bills paid. The February closure notice was followed by a water shutoff notice on March 20, which Canyonville Mayor Christine Morgan hoped at the time would “help move things along” for residents living in unsanitary conditions and with uncertain management.

The six-story structure visible along Interstate 5 opened as a retirement home in the early 1960s but has served as low-income and elderly housing in more recent years. Emmert purchased the structure for about $700,000 in 2022 and partnered with structural engineer Jerry Reeves, who founded Harmony Active Living LLC and said he acted on Emmert’s behalf in hiring, and later firing, employees.

Reeves acknowledges he issued the February closure notice but said he and Emmert have since had a series of falling outs and a lack of communication. Reeves is currently suing Emmert in Clackamas County for what he told the Times is one of several alleged breaches of contract. The Clackamas County Circuit Court suit — a jury trial is set for June — involves Emmert’s alleged failure to pay Reeve’s portion of sale proceeds for Eagle Point’s Stoneridge Golf Course in November 2023.

Reeves said he and Emmert — for whom 276 records appear in court records pertaining to civil suits from around the state — entered into a series of ventures in 2018, including the golf course that Emmert sold for $785,000 late last year, and that Emmert had allegedly failed to pay proceeds owed to Reeves. Reeves confirmed Monday that he has not had anything to do with Forest Glen since shortly after the February closure attempt, which he said he initiated at Emmert’s direction.

The most recent manager of the building, Pastor Max Stafford, arrived on scene with an Easter Sunday announcement that he was saving Forest Glen and had the option to purchase the structure from Emmert. During an April 18 community meeting at Forest Glen, Stafford vowed to fundraise to pay delinquent utilities and expand the offerings of Forest Glen.

By early October, Goldsworthy reported Stafford and Emmert were parting ways and that Emmert planned to take over the building once more with assistance by his son, Terry Emmert Jr. At the time, the building’s boiler was in disrepair, leaving residents without hot water for several weeks, and the kitchen had been shut down, with residents being told to use kitchenettes installed on the building’s various floors.

A letter obtained by the Times, the most recent communication from Emmert’s company, indicated in late September that Redemptive Ministries had lost its lease and that a new entity, Douglas View Properties LLC, would serve as the new landlord and property manager. The letter informed tenants they had until Oct. 23 to apply for new tenancy or vacate the building.

Emmert said Monday that he was unaware of the state of disrepair the building had been in — including a massive bed bug infestation that had “gone on for years.” Emmert said, of his arrangement with Stafford, “Max was not supposed to be bringing on these no-performing people. … Having people be there for free is not fair for the people who are paying. We’re in the process of getting things straightened out and revamping the building and doing the things that give some pride of ownership in the community.”

Goldsworthy, who resigned under Stafford in July, said he stayed to “advocate for the residents.” Goldsworthy confirmed Monday that evictions were officially noticed from Friday, Nov. 1, but did not begin, in an official capacity, until Monday morning. Goldsworthy, who claimed Stafford owed $57,000 by early October for his lease with Emmert, acknowledged tenants of the building had been on an emotional rollercoaster and scolded Stafford for moving non-paying tenants into the building.

“Shame on Max Stafford and Redemptive Ministries for promising people a free place to live for volunteering to work,” Goldsworthy said.

Morgan, the Canyonville mayor, said on Monday that Forest Glen’s water account with the city was up to date. Morgan said city officials remain concerned for the well-being of the building’s vulnerable residents.

Between December and August, city officials said Forest Glen had a total of 370 calls for service — the majority of which had to do with mental health concerns. By comparison, the entire city had a total of 231 calls for service during the month of August — 51 that originated from Forest Glen.

Morgan said the city was staying apprised of any developments with the building.

“The city of Canyonville continues to monitor timeliness of monthly water and sewer payments and is in communication with (the) Douglas County Building Department concerning progress and completion of required permits,” she said.

“Douglas County Sheriff’s Office continues to respond to a high volume of calls from Forest Glen, which stretches area deputies thin.”

Stafford, who was unavailable for comment on Monday, alleged last week that Goldsworthy “didn’t want to do this anymore, but he sabotaged it for us so we couldn’t either.”

Amy Doan, who helped Stafford manage the building under Redemptive Ministries, alleged in a message to the Times that the evictions were done illegally and that relocation resources had not been provided, as required by state law, for veterans and disabled residents. Doan said workers who helped “keep up the building (in exchange) for their rent” were evicted without cause.

Emmert said the evictions were guided by attorneys and dismissed Doan’s claims.

Doan said people were “praying for a miracle for those who have relentlessly kept the building alive.”

“We are a ministry for redemption not for failure to keep people housed and with purpose. God has a plan in this. It’s not over,” she said.

“Stay tuned because something big is going to happen for people who will possibly be unhoused again. This will be a redemption story I believe this to the core of my soul. … I don’t see things settling down until whoever takes over the Forest Glen building finds a resolution. Or we do.”

This story has been updated with comments from Terry Emmert Sr.