Salvation Army to operate 200 'lifesaving' winter shelter beds in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Ahead of winter shelters opening across Portland, city and county leaders announced Thursday that the Salvation Army will run the shelters and will offer 200 overnight beds.

The shelter beds are slated to open as soon as January 7, Multnomah County and the City of Portland said in a joint press release.

The shelters will be located in two existing Salvation Army facilities – which include The Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter on Southwest 2nd Avenue and the Moore Steet 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 Multnomah County Chair Jessica 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.” 

Newly sworn-in Portland Mayor Keith Wilson added, “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."

The beds will be available to unsheltered adult Portlanders as the weather gets colder and wetter over winter. While the beds are only open for overnight stays for 10 hours a night, the shelters will transition to a 24-hour operation in the event of a severe weather emergency.

The shelters will also offer basic services including light food, sleeping mats, and hygiene supplies.

"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."  

Multnomah County and the City of Portland committed $375,000 each to the effort for a combined $750,000 investment.

The shelters will add to the Joint Office of Homeless Services’ roster of nearly 3,000 shelter beds along with hundreds of other severe weather shelter beds offered when the weather hits certain thresholds.