Lincoln County commissioners on Wednesday approved buying a five-bedroom house in Newport to use for men on probation as they transition into the community.

The vacant home at 168 S.E. 10th St. previously operated as a group home. The county bought the house for $347,500, with the money coming from state funding for parole and probation.

The county will be able to house five male probationers at the property initially, but with modifications it may be possible to handle as many as 10.

The county’s community justice program already operates three homes for offenders released from custody, with a total of 28 available beds. But department director Tony Campa said there’s a long waiting list for the facilities.

Campa said the new facility will target men experiencing mental health disorders, substance abuse, homelessness, or a combination of all three.

No date has been set yet for the facility to become operational, but the county said its pre-purchase inspection found it needed only minor repairs.