Hi there,
Earlier today I hosted a press conference to announce all six Safe Rest Village sites--in addition to three alternative shelter sites that have been converted from early-COVID-19 response to more sustainable villages. As you are well aware, our city is experiencing a humanitarian crisis. We must all lean in to build hope for the future.
Mayor Wheeler—through an Emergency Declaration—has granted emergency powers to me as his delegate to “consolidate and coordinate the implementation of Safe Rest Villages and alternative shelters.” Recognizing the urgent humanitarian crisis on our streets, the public’s vocal cry for action to both support those experiencing houselessness and to give the community safe access to their sidewalks, parks, and other public spaces, Mayor Wheeler and I are accelerating the process of establishing Safe Rest Villages (SRVs) throughout Portland.
Safe Rest Villages will be managed, temporary, outdoor shelters with onsite case management, peer support, behavioral and mental health services, as well as amenities such as showers, flush toilets, laundry, trash/recycling, and community gathering spaces. For Portland, this is new—outdoor shelters where services are provided at the ground-level where they are most needed. Safe Rest Villages will provide unhoused Portlanders with stability, safety, and readiness for their next steps towards housing, reconnecting with family, recovery, and support for whatever their path may be.
Today’s action completes our plan for six new Safe Rest Village sites, as well as managing the transition of earlier emergency shelters to outdoor alternative shelters with services. The attached map illustrates their locations.
I am fully committed to community engagement at every site. This morning my team reached out to neighboring residents and business owners, and other stakeholders to share this news, and this begins our work of further engagement. In the coming weeks, my Community Engagement team will be working with stakeholders to answer questions and address concerns.
We have a website with a lot of information, and you can email our team anytime at saferestvillages@portlandoregon.gov. As thoughts and questions come up, please feel free to reach out.
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