An organization that provides meals, daylight shelter and other assistance to unsheltered and low-income individuals in Oak Harbor is moving to a new spot inside a former bank.

SPiN Cafe will be leasing the former Washington Federal building on Southwest Barlow Street, which has been closed for more than a year. The organization was awarded a three-year, $635,000 federal Housing and Urban Development grant to cover the lease and other expenses.

Michele Hines, the executive director of SPiN, explained that the former bank lobby will be turned into an area for people to congregate and eat. There is also a large staff room, bathrooms, a private meeting room for guests to meet with social workers and a break room that will be converted into a commercial kitchen.

“I think it’s a really good site for SPiN, particularly because it’s not in a residential neighborhood and it’s near services for our guests,” she said, pointing out that it is close to Walmart, grocery stores and the bus stops.

The site, however, has raised some concerns with the police. Chief Kevin Dresker explained that the Barlow Street area is popular with transient people and has issues with low-level but troublesome crime. Common 911 calls in the area include vandalism, disorderly conduct and people sleeping on private property. This week he was patrolling the area on a bicycle and caught someone about to use drugs. He’s also heard from a number of businesses in the area that are worried about the plans.

Dresker said he was concerned that locating SPiN Cafe in the area could escalate conflicts. He points out that the facility used to be located downtown and drew trouble to the area, which has receded since it moved to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. At the same time, Dresker said he understands that the group has new management and that there have been few problems in recent years.

Since the leasing decision has been made, Dresker said the police will work with SPiN officials and local businesses and do what they can to keep an eye out for problems.

Hines said it was difficult to find a suitable spot for the cafe, given the zoning requirements and other factors. An investor purchased the property and will lease the bottom floor, which is about 2,400 square feet, to the group. She doesn’t foresee increased problems in the area and points out that it makes sense to put a service where the people already are.

“Our view is that this will be a place for people to congregate, to get them off the street,” she said.

SPiN — which stands for Supporting People in Need — is a multi-purpose organization that currently runs a low-barrier day shelter providing meals and laundry opportunities while also working with other agencies to offer a range of other services. The Haven picks up people from SPiN Cafe and transports them to an overnight shelter. An Island County housing specialist visits twice a week.

“We’re not just a place to hang out,” Hines said. “We’re really trying to be a place to help people get back on their feet.”

The organization provides meals to about 30 people a day, although 48 people were served recently. Lunches are served Monday through Friday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Regatta Drive while sack lunches are handed out on weekends at Hal Ramaley Memorial Park. Hines said she plans to increase services, like serving regular dinners, in the future.

If all goes well, the new location will be open in August, Hines said.