With temperatures expected to dive below freezing over the next couple nights, Multnomah County's emergency shelters are readying to welcome thousands of Portlanders stuck without a place to stay.
On that list for the first time? A new shelter for homeless women the city's about open in a former army reserve center in SW Portland. The new Sears Emergency Shelter, 2730 SW Multnomah, will open for the first time tomorrow—ushering in a brand new model where homeless people are shuttled from Old Town to the shelter in the evening, and brought back early in the morning.
Transition Projects, the organization that's contracting with the city to run the shelter, released information today about how the operation will work. According to that fact sheet, the building will be open solely to women (and their "well behaved" pets) until December 14, when it will also begin accepting couples who are over 18.
Women can reserve space in the shelter—call 503-280-4700 or visit the Transition Projects day center at 650 NW Irving—and keep that space night after night, as long as they return for it. Women who'd like to sleep at the shelter can also show up at a pickup point to see if there's space.
Interestingly, Transitions Projects only plans to allow women into the shelter who ride the shuttle bus from downtown. The shuttles are planning pickups at 6:30 pm in Old Town: Tomorrow, they'll be staged at the Glisan Center, 435 NW Glisan. From November 27 to December 13, they'll pick people up at the Blanchet House, 310 NW Glisan.
The new Sears Shelter—so named because it's located in the former Sgt. Jerome Sears US Army Reserve Center—is a welcome addition in a city that typically meets only about 50 percent of its demand for shelter space. If the building reaches its estimated 200-mat capacity, it'd be the largest shelter in Portland.
It's also the second new shelter that's popped up since Portland City Council declared a housing state of emergency in late September.
Hit the jump for a full list of emergency shelters opening in coming days, courtesy of 211info.org:
Bud Clark Commons - TPI
650 NW Irving Street, Portland 97209
503-280-4700
Walk in, check in anytime after 8:30pm
Dates: Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th, 2015
Hours: 8:30pm - 7am
Serves: Adults 18 and older
Imago Dei Emergency Shelter - TPI
1302 SE Ankeny Street, Portland 97214
Walk in, check in anytime after 8:30pm
Dates: Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th, 2015
Hours: 8:30pm - 7am
Serves: Adults 18 and older
St. Francis Dining Hall
330 SE 11th Avenue, Portland 97214
Dates: Wednesday, November 25th, 2015
Hours: 9pm-6am
Serves: Individuals and couples
St. Johns Warming Shelter
University Park United Methodist Church
4775 N Lombard Street, Portland 97203
Dates: Wednesday, November 25th - Sunday, November 29th, 2015
Hours: 8pm-8am
Serves: Adults
Jerome Sears Emergency Shelter
2730 SW Multnomah Boulevard, 97219
To reserve a spot starting Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 call 503-280-4700 Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
OR come to Day Center at 650 Irving Street, Portland
Dates: Thursday November 26th - Monday December 14th, 2015
Hours: 7pm-7am
Serves: Female-identified adults
Safety Off the Streets Shelter (SOS)
435 NW Glisan Street, Portland
To reserve your spot call 503-280-4700 Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.
OR come to Day Center at 650 Irving Street, Portland
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 5pm - 8am
Serves: Female-identified adults
Human Solutions Family Shelter
16141 E Burnside Street, Portland (near 162nd Avenue)
This is a walk-in facility. It is not necessary to call beforehand. No one will be turned away.
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 3:30pm - 7:30am
Serves: Families with children under 18 and women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
Portland Rescue Mission
111 W. Burnside Street, Portland
Additional beds available for winter shelter
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: Entry to year-round beds 5:45pm, winter beds 8pm
Serves: Male-identified adults
Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES)
30 SW 2nd Avenue, Portland
503-227-0810
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 6pm - 8am
Serves: Female-identified adults
CityTeam International
526 SE Grand Avenue, Portland
$5 fee waived during severe weather
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 5:45pm - 7am
Serves: Male-identified adults
Porchlight Crisis Shelter
1635 SW Alder Street, Portland
503-222-5933
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 9pm – 9am
Serves: Youth ages 15-23
Harry’s Mother Runaway Shelter
738 NE Davis Street, Portland
503-233-8111
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 24 hours a day
Serves: Youth ages 9-17