Below-Freezing Temperatures, Gusting Winds Prompt Opening of Warming Shelters

With another forecast showing overnight low temperatures well below freezing, along with another night of freezing, gusting winds, the Joint Office of Homeless Services will work with partners to open severe weather shelters across Multnomah County on Monday night, March 4.

Severe weather shelters do not require identification or any other documentation. Anyone who needs a bed and/or a ride to shelter should call 211. During severe weather, no one seeking shelter will be turned away; more sites will continue to open as needed.

Overall, close to 2,000 publicly funded beds will be available, including 325 severe weather beds opening tonight, 255 beds that are open all winter and 1,365 beds that are open year-round. Beyond those publicly funded beds, private community partners also will host dozens more people. Nearly 190 people used the 325 severe weather beds open Sunday night, March 3, said Transition Projects, which operates those beds. Multnomah County and City of Portland workers helped support Transition Projects by taking shifts at those shelter sites.

Tonight, Transition Projects will again open Bud Clark Commons (650 NW Irving, in Portland), Imago Dei (1302 SE Ankeny, in Portland) and Sunrise Center (18901 E Burnside, in Gresham). Bud Clark Commons and Imago Dei will be open to adults, couples and their pets from 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 4, to 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 5. Sunrise Center will be open 9 p.m. Monday, March 4, to 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 5.

Go to 211info.org or call 211info for the latest information on which shelters are open, and when, and to coordinate transport for anyone who needs shelter but does not have a way to get there. Families with children in particular should contact 211 directly to access and arrange transport as needed to severe weather shelter.

Service providers and the Joint Office are continuing their call for community donations of life-saving winter gear.

Many people stepped up with donations this month as conditions took a turn, but more is always needed. Night after night, outreach workers have been handing out gear to keep people warm and safe as soon as it's come in.

Please visit 211info.org/donations to see a specific list of winter gear and where it can be dropped off.

Providers also have an online shopping list to make donating more convenient, which means anyone can donate at any time. Items ordered online can be delivered directly to JOIN, 1435 NE 81st Ave.(link is external), Suite 100, Portland, OR, 97213. JOIN is also taking donations in person at that address.

And Transition Projects, at 665 NW Hoyt in downtown Portland, is also accepting in-person donations 24/7 and will bundle and share those items with other providers as needed.

The Joint Office will continue to monitor forecasts and escalate the response to weather conditions as needed.

Overall, the Joint Office funds 1,365 year-round shelter beds and an additional 255 seasonal beds(link is external). In addition to those more than 1,600 beds, the Joint Office and Transition Projects stand ready to open at least 325 severe weather beds on any given night as forecasts dictate. The Joint Office will also work with Portland and Multnomah County to open as many additional beds as needed if that initial severe weather capacity is filled.