Safe Rest Villages Delayed

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland will not open its Safe Rest Villages by the end of the year.  The city is missing its own self-imposed deadline.

In plans underway since June, a priority was getting six villages open in time for the winter months, which are brutal for the houseless.

The city has put in $20 million toward the project from federal COVID-19 aid.  But it has had setbacks, like supply chain issues, funding restrictions and resistance from community members about using certain sites.

The city has chosen three of the sites so far.  They are the 2300 block of SW Naito Parkway, TriMet’s Menlo Park & Ride, and a former Army Reserve Center on SW Multnomah Boulevard.

City Commissioner Dan Ryan now says he expects the sites will open early next year.