Salvation Army opens downtown Portland women’s shelter for the first time in six years

For the first time in six years, a downtown Portland facility will be used as a women’s homeless shelter.

The Salvation Army is opening an overnight women’s shelter at 30 Southwest Avenue at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The shelter will operate as an emergency winter overnight shelter from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for the next 90 days. The low-barrier shelter will provide bed, shower and laundry facilities, and hygiene products.

“Tomorrow night, 52 women will have the opportunity to rest their heads, to know that they’re safe, to know that they are secure, and know that someone is watching out for them,” said Maj. Jonathan Harvey, divisional commander of the Salvation Army Cascade Division.
“I do expect that a lot of the women that come are women that historically stayed here,” said Kristi DeLaGarza, program manager for The Salvation Army

The City of Portland and Multnomah County each contributed $375,000 to this effort, for a combined investment of $750,000.

“It’s something that we stand ready to do as funding is available,” said Harvey. “Funding ebbs and flows, as you well know. And so we’re always ready and prepared to move on to whatever is needed from us for the community.”

“It’s very risky for vulnerable women on the streets,” said Justin Moshkowski, executive director of shelter for The Salvation Army in Multnomah County. “And we are excited to be a part of the plan to sort of bring safety again to their lives.”

Across town, a second overnight shelter for men and women is providing 148 beds, also starting Tuesday night. It’s at the Moore Street Corps and Community Center on North Williams Avenue.

Last week, Mayor Keith Wilson said he’s been meeting with Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson every week since he was elected, to try to come up with more housing for the homeless.

“We’re taking inventory from the city at large. What may or may not work? What can we fund?” he said Thursday.

https://katu.com/news/local/overnight-winter-homeless-shelters-open-this-week-with-200-beds-women-safe-salvationa-army-secure-sleep
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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: January 7, 2025, 3:01 am.

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