Multnomah County leaders have been relying on financial support from the city of Portland for their long-awaited sobering center, yet recent developments have cast doubt on that anticipated backing as they approach the finalization of their budget.
The sobering center project has been in discussions for quite some time, dating back to early 2020 when Central City Concern unexpectedly closed its sobering station. This facility provided care for individuals in severe intoxication, diverting them from hospital or jail stays.
After years without progress, stakeholders within the county began to mobilize again last year, led by Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, who pushed for a 24/7 sobering center. Her aim was to establish this service before the previously estimated opening date of 2026; however, the timeline has been extended, with the permanent facility now expected to open in 2027.
In the spring of this year, Multnomah County took a significant step forward by purchasing a former granite showroom on Grand Avenue in Southeast Portland, with plans to retrofit it as the sobering center. The previous owner, who operated his business there for 25 years, cited homelessness and rising crime as the reasons for selling his property.
The new sobering center is designed to provide around 50 beds for both sobering and withdrawal management. Additionally, it will house the county’s deflection center, which aims to assist individuals caught by law enforcement with possession of hard drugs.
Oregon’s state government has already committed $25 million to support the project, but support from the city of Portland remains unresolved. County leaders had hoped for $4 million over two years from the city to help move the initiative forward, but progress on that front has been stagnant.
Commissioner Brim-Edwards has expressed her frustrations, stating she has been in pursuit of communication with Mayor Keith Wilson regarding this funding for several months. “I sent him a letter in April indicating that our expectation was that they would keep their commitment both this year and ongoing,” she commented.
The mayor’s office, however, has suggested that the city will only release the funding after the sobering center is operational, which is not expected to happen until at least the fall of 2027. This perspective has drawn criticism from Commissioner Brim-Edwards, who asserted, “Well, it is actually up and running, you could go look. We have 13 sobering beds.”
Currently, these beds are located at the county’s Coordinated Care Pathway Center, a temporary facility opened last fall that serves as a bridge until the permanent center is completed. “Our expectation is that the city is going to help fund them,” Brim-Edwards added, emphasizing the immediate need for support.
During a city council meeting on Wednesday, Councilor Eric Zimmerman, who previously served as Brim-Edwards’ chief of staff, attempted to introduce an amendment reallocating $1 million from the city’s opioid settlement funds towards the sobering center. However, the amendment failed after an 8-4 vote.
“I was disappointed that Mayor Wilson pulled it initially out of this budget,” Zimmerman expressed. He voiced concerns that failing to support the sobering center would send negative messages about the city’s commitment to addressing substance abuse issues in the community.
On the other hand, Councilor Candace Avalos opposed the amendment due to differing priorities, advocating instead for funding to be designated for Fora Health, which is working towards opening recovery housing by December 2026.
Zimmerman described the current challenges as a result of a new government apparatus, stating, “It’s the victim of just a new government; a lot of new people who don’t understand the history here. And this is one that’s fallen through the cracks … and it’s pretty unfortunate.”
Despite the setback with the city council, advocates for the sobering center from the county remain determined. “Our expectation is that at some point in their budget process they will keep their commitment, both for this year and for future years,” Brim-Edwards maintained, reinforcing the urgency of the project as they continue to seek out financial partnerships to make the sobering center a reality.
image source from：https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/multnomah-county-sobering-center-portland-funding-4-million-support/283-32ac07d7-010c-4706-ac14-08aea339f9cb
