Portland opens first combined RV, homeless shelter site
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The City of Portland opened its 10th alternative shelter on Monday aiming to help people who are unsheltered and people living in their vehicles or RVs.
The shelter, at 10505 North Portland Road, includes 90 tiny home pods, and 70 RV parking spaces.
This marks Portland’s 10th low-barrier shelter that’s operated by the city after opening its first Safe Rest Village in June 2022.
“In just over two years, the City of Portland has not only established but significantly expanded a comprehensive shelter network, now offering 868 shelter beds across the city,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said Monday. “The new North Portland Road site reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting every Portlander, providing not just a place to stay, but a pathway to stability and housing.”
This is also the first combined RV and outdoor alternative shelter site in the city of Portland.
“The North Portland Road Shelter site is an opportunity to replicate the successes we’ve had at our other shelters and offer even more people the life-changing experience of moving off the streets and into a safe, supportive setting,” said Brandy Westerman, humanitarian director for the City of Portland. “For many of our guests, a referral into a temporary shelter site is their first step toward a better life. Seeing people transition from a place of trauma and isolation into a space of community and hope – that is why we do this work. We are thrilled to announce the start of that work at this new site.”
The site will be run by Urban Alchemy, a nonprofit that manages other city shelters and offers case management and wrap-around services including access to mental, physical, and behavioral health support.
Officials said people can only be referred to the shelter, which is typically done by an outreach team.
"Our team understands that people living in their vehicles have very different needs, challenges and circumstances and need support that is focused on meeting their specific needs," said Kirkpatrick Tyler, Urban Alchemy's chief of community and government relations. "Urban Alchemy Practitioners have worked with individuals living in their vehicles and we are excited to help find housing for more members of the Portland community, and like at all the sites we operate, we're committed to building strong relationships with the surrounding community."
The North Portland Road shelter comes as about 20% of unsheltered people reported living in a vehicle, according to a 2022 Joint Office of Homeless Services point-in-time count.
In recent years, the city says RV and vehicle camping reports have surged, with many vehicles being outdated or in disrepair. Officials said owners often sell the vehicles cheaply, or resort to illegal disposal.
The City of Portland’s Office of Government Relations said they are “exploring solutions” to address illegal vehicle dumping ahead of Oregon’s next legislative session.
According to the city, more than 2,200 people have been served by all of the city shelters since opening in 2022, 35% of which have moved into permanent housing.