A new 24-hour shelter dedicated to sober homeless veterans is set to open this fall in the historic Kenton Hotel on North Interstate Avenue. This initiative has been announced through a collaborative statement from Do Good Multnomah, a nonprofit organization specializing in homeless services for veterans, and Multnomah County.
Do Good Multnomah has acquired the old motel with financial assistance that includes a $500,000 forgivable loan from Multnomah County and donations from the Thayer Family Foundation based in Portland. In addition to these funds, Do Good also procured a commercial loan to facilitate the purchase.
Currently, the nonprofit operates six low-barrier shelters across Multnomah County, welcoming anyone seeking a secure place to sleep. However, the new facility will cater specifically to 17 guests who are required to maintain sobriety and have a history of military service, which can encompass National Guard participation.
Matthew Harvey, a case manager at Do Good Multnomah and a veteran with personal experience of homelessness, emphasized the importance of having specialized sober shelters for veterans. “There isn’t anything like this out there right now,” he stated. “Having a recovery community, especially one that’s veteran-centered, is something that would have changed everything for me when I was going through my struggles.”
In the context of financial constraints, Do Good Multnomah faced cuts over the summer due to reduced funding from the county. Chris Gardner, a spokesperson for the organization, noted the challenge of maintaining existing shelter bed numbers amid a 17% funding reduction. This financial pressure led to the difficult decision to cut some contracted services and reduce staff.
Despite these challenges, Gardner described the acquisition of the motel as “a big, scary financial risk” but underscored that it was a necessary step to support the veteran community.
Nicole Jackson, director of housing at Do Good Multnomah, acknowledged a significant demand for sober shelters, citing requests from participants in other programs and mental health providers she collaborates with. “I could fill the motel tomorrow, probably,” she remarked, highlighting the difficulties individuals face during the transition from detox to shelter.
Jackson explained that once individuals complete detox, they often find themselves either in shelters or without housing, making immediate entry into permanent housing less feasible. The pressure to swiftly begin treatment and job searching can be overwhelming within such a condensed timeframe.
The Kenton neighborhood shelter is intended to provide veterans with a temporary housing solution for roughly three months while they work on achieving stability, participate in addiction recovery programs, and seek permanent housing and employment. Plans include having a certified drug and alcohol addiction counselor on-site, alongside offering free transportation to necessary medical and mental health services.
Community reaction to the announcement has been mixed. As is common in situations where new shelters are introduced, local residents expressed a range of opinions about the advantages and disadvantages of a shelter in Kenton. Initial discussions among locals on Reddit revealed concerns regarding the potential negative impact on the neighborhood.
An early discussion from July, prior to the announcement of the shelter’s sober focus, suggested that the shelter could signal a decline in neighborhood quality. Respondents to the thread were generally dismissive of such concerns, especially after learning that the shelter would be dedicated to sober veterans.
One commenter pointed out the realities of the Kenton Hotel’s past, stating, “If the Kenton Hotel was a thriving business, it wouldn’t have been sold.” This resident, who lives in close proximity to the hotel, expressed preference for the building’s new use as a shelter rather than leaving it abandoned.
The commenter elaborated that an empty building would pose risks, such as potential squatter occupation, and voiced support for providing local access to community resources, such as a farmers market.
Others chimed in to mention the benefits of the farmers market, which operates on Wednesdays throughout the summer, emphasizing that it accepts food stamps as a form of payment. Some community members defended recent changes in Kenton as positive developments, arguing that the establishment of a shelter would not detract from the neighborhood’s vibrancy.
“I think most of the people commenting here would be shocked if they had any idea what Kenton used to be like,” another commenter stated. “Kenton is thriving! And doing their part to help the houseless.”
The shelter is slated to feature various support services, including a food pantry and clothing closet, aimed at enhancing the aid available to the veterans. This new facility represents Multnomah County’s ongoing commitment to improving recovery, stabilization, and transitional housing solutions. However, it is important to note that aside from the Bybee Lakes recovery beds in North Portland, most existing county-supported shelter beds do not require sobriety.
In conclusion, the upcoming opening of this dedicated shelter reflects significant efforts to address the needs of sober veterans in the community, providing essential resources to assist them on their path to recovery and stability.
image source from：oregonlive
