Putting their recently announced winter shelter plan into urgent action, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson today announced The Salvation Army will operate the planned 200 overnight beds, which will open as soon as Jan. 7.
The City and County — working through the cross-jurisdictional Homelessness Response System — will use two existing Salvation Army facilities. Those are The Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES) site on Southwest 2nd Avenue and the Moore Street Corps & Community Center on North Williams Avenue.
“I appreciate The Salvation Army, the Homelessness Response System team and the City for their quick partnership in making these critical resources available to our community,” said Chair Vega Pederson. “More warm, dry places for our neighbors to sleep in these cold months is a welcome addition to many other ongoing plans to increase shelter, housing and eviction prevention efforts.”
“Emergency shelters provide a first step for those ready to move off the streets and a safety net for those who have experienced setbacks on their journey home. I’m grateful to The Salvation Army, the City of Portland and our partners in Multnomah County for their quick action in setting up this lifesaving emergency shelter,” said Mayor Keith Wilson.
"The Salvation Army wholeheartedly supports Mayor Keith Wilson and Chair Vega Pederson's bold and compassionate goal to end unsheltered homelessness across Portland within the new year. Caring for those without a home is woven into the very fabric of who we are. We are honored to stand as partners with the City and the County in this critical mission,” said Major Jonathan Harvey, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Cascade Division. “Together, we will provide compassionate, kind and conviction-driven care, ensuring that everyone who enters our doors not only finds a place of refuge but also access to the services and support they need to move toward stability and hope."
The shelter beds will provide relief to unsheltered adult Portlanders as the weather gets colder and wetter this winter. Each government has committed $375,000 to this effort, for a combined investment of $750,000.
The beds will be overnight-only and open for 10 hours a night. Basic services will be available on-site, including light food, sleeping mats and basic hygiene supplies. The sites will pivot to providing 24-hour shelter in the event of a severe weather emergency.
This joint effort was spearheaded by Mayor Wilson and Chair Vega Pederson, with support from former Mayor Ted Wheeler. The Homelessness Response System is bringing together the City’s Portland Solutions team and the Joint Office of Homeless Services to open these sites as soon as possible and keep them open through the winter.
These shelters are in addition to the existing — and growing — shelter system that provides nearly 3,000 beds every day. The added winter shelter beds are also in addition to hundreds more severe weather shelter beds that provide emergency support to the community on specific days and nights when the weather hits certain thresholds.
Source: City of Portland/Multnomah County