Safe Rest Villages Announced For Three Portland Neighborhoods

PORTLAND, Ore. — The city of Portland on Thursday afternoon announced the first three locations for Safe Rest Villages across the city to house the homeless.

The three sites announced were at 122nd and E Burnside at the Park & Ride lot owned by TriMet, and two city-owned lots at Southeast 45th and Harney, and on SW Naito Parkway near Interstate 405.

The sites will have access to showers, bathrooms and mental health services and will be overseen by city housing staffers.

Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan, who oversees the Portland Housing Bureau along with the Joint Office of Homeless Services, have been scouting out some 70 city-owned properties that would be suitable to give about 60 homeless per location an outdoor space to live.

The city plans to have six of the villages up and running by 2022.  Other locations will be announced before the end of this year.

$20 million of COVID relief aid will pay for the villages.