Mayor Keith Wilson is focusing on increasing overnight shelter availability as part of his strategy to combat unsheltered homelessness in Portland.
Since taking office, Mayor Wilson has successfully opened 200 new overnight shelter beds at facilities operated by the Salvation Army in Northwest and North Portland.
His proposed budget, which awaits a vote from the City Council next week, includes ambitious plans to add an additional 1,500 beds and new day centers, with a projected cost nearing $25 million for the upcoming fiscal year.
However, the fulfillment of these plans hinges on securing external funding and the City Council’s approval of the budget, as highlighted by city spokesperson Laura Rude.
In the immediate future, city officials aim to expedite the addition of 180 overnight shelter beds.
These beds will be distributed across two locations: one at the former St. Stephen’s Church in downtown and another situated at the Church of the Nazarene in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood, east of Interstate 205.
Both sites are slated for a summer opening, independent of the budget vote, according to Rude.
She expressed confidence, noting that the mayor has garnered considerable external funding for the overnight shelter initiative.
In parallel with these efforts, private nonprofits are also enhancing their shelter offerings.
City Team, a religiously affiliated nonprofit, is preparing to relocate its men’s shelter from the Central Eastside to a more spacious facility in Old Town, significantly increasing its current capacity.
Additionally, Blanchet House, which operates a nonprofit soup kitchen along with two residential recovery programs, plans to establish a new shelter near the Pearl District.
Both of these forthcoming shelters will not rely on public funding.
Despite the positive steps forward, some neighborhood residents have expressed concerns regarding the planned shelter at Blanchet House.
A petition aimed at halting the shelter’s establishment had gathered 32 signatures by Thursday morning.
The petition emphasizes support for “humane and holistic” solutions but conveys skepticism over the shelter operators’ and city officials’ ability to manage the potential challenges associated with providing services to a large population of homeless individuals.
The petition highlights that community members are actively engaged in the area’s economic growth and development, contributing significantly to tax revenues without seeing a corresponding return in terms of responsive services ensuring basic safety.
Scott Kerman, the executive director of Blanchet House, acknowledged these concerns during a conversation with The Oregonian/OregonLive.
He recognized the need to earn the trust of the community, saying that neighbors have a valid skepticism.
Kerman noted, “They don’t know us. So it’s a lot to say ‘Trust us.’ We have to prove that, we have to earn that.”
In response to these challenges, Kerman organized a community engagement meeting the previous weekend, aiming to incorporate feedback from neighbors into the shelter’s operational plans.
He emphasized that neighborhoods are not homogenous and mentioned he had also received supportive calls.
Members of the City Council, particularly Eric Zimmerman representing the westside, underscored the necessity for good neighbor agreements in relation to the opening of new shelters.
Mayor Wilson has similarly pledged to collaborate with nearby residents ahead of any new shelter openings.
Highlighted below are details on the upcoming overnight shelters in Portland:
Bethanie’s Room, located at 1015 Northwest 17th Avenue, will cater exclusively to women, with a capacity of 75 beds.
This facility is being operated by Blanchet House with private funding and is projected to open in the summer of 2025.
Blanchet House has shared that the new women’s overnight shelter aims to provide safe sleeping spaces in light of the troubling statistics surrounding violence against homeless women.
Kerman reflects on the urgency of the situation, stating, “Women come to us for breakfast at 6:30 in the morning and we can see and hear from them the violence that they’ve been subjected to in the night.”
He expressed a deep commitment to help prevent further victimization for homeless women, highlighting the shelter’s purpose beyond just providing shelter.
The shelter is named after a woman named Bethanie who was a regular at Blanchet House and tragically lost her life while experiencing homelessness in 2024.
City Team’s new facility, situated at 219 Northwest 4th Avenue, will provide 30 overnight beds for men, alongside 80 longer-term recovery beds.
Funded privately, this center will also support individuals in recovery with transitional housing and job training opportunities, expecting to open in the fall of 2025.
At the Church of the Nazarene, located at 9715 Southeast Powell Boulevard, plans are underway to open a co-ed shelter with a capacity of 100 beds.
Operated by Agape Village, this shelter has its funding sourced from the city and is similar to the facility’s previous seasonal operations.
This shelter is also slated for a summer 2025 opening.
Lastly, Operation Nightwatch will run a co-ed shelter at St. Stephen’s Church located at 1432 Southwest 13th Avenue.
With a capacity for 80 beds, this project is also backed by city funding and is set to open in summer 2025.
The church, constructed in 1863, recently transitioned ownership to Operation Nightwatch, which has long served the community in various capacities.
The partnerships and initiatives outlined reflect a notable effort by city officials and non-profits to address the pressing issue of homelessness in Portland.
As stakeholders begin to engage with the community to address concerns, the question of balancing neighborhood interests with the urgent need for shelter remains at the forefront.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/06/4-overnight-only-homeless-shelters-are-set-to-open-soon-in-these-portland-neighborhoods.html
