Inside the Northrup overnight shelter
Salvation Army official describes how the site will be run
Most Pearl and Northwest Portland residents are aware of the recently opened overnight shelter at Northwest 15th and Northrup, but many are not aware how the shelter will be run.
Justin Moshkowski, executive director of Salvation Army shelter operations in Portland, shared the following information:
Clients can bring in two bags. They can carry in slightly more as long as it fits underneath their beds. If a client’s belongings won't fit in two bags, the shelter operators will direct them to secure storage facilities for the extra items. Depending on the case, the shelter may allow a client to bring in more than two bags for one night. Wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility devices are allowed. Clients can also bring in a pet.
Clients are given juice and a snack when they enter. In the morning, they are offered coffee.
Both of the bathrooms are on the main level. All future clients will be sheltered on the main level.
There will be one staff person for every 20 people. This would mean two staff for 21-40 clients, three staff for 41-60 clients. If the shelter reaches 181-200 clients, there would be 10 staff. During the first weeks there will be many more staff than one for every 20 people.
Clients who leave after 11 p.m. are not allowed back in. There will be an outside smoke break between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
After spending a night in the shelter, clients can reserve a bed for the next night.
Upon leaving the shelter in the morning, clients will be given a free daylong streetcar pass.
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“Upon leaving the shelter in the morning, clients will be given a free daylong streetcar pass.”
Is this the City’s proposal for day shelters?
At the Portland Center Stage meeting Mayor Wilson and staff said they would have something in place connecting people to services when they leave the shelter in the morning.
Putting them all on the streetcar is not the solution, nor fulfillment of the commitment made at the meeting.
Plus, it some cases it could affect the safety of others riding on the streetcar.
Rob Layne, communication strategist with Portland Solutions, offered this response today:
The city is working diligently to address issues about unsanctioned campsites as well as other livability concerns within the 1,000-foot engagement area. If you’re seeing a campsite in an area that we can conduct removal, please report using www.portland.gov/report/campsite.
You can check the status of the city’s campsite removal operations at https://pdx.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/c68d1d2e29e444a7b70f20aaafcbfbeb. If something is taking longer than a few days + the 72-hour posting period or if it is a re-occurring camp, email the Shelter Service Inbox at shelterservices@portlandoregon.gov.
For immediate shelter specific issues, please contact the NW Northrup Shelter at 971-230-5350. For more city-specific concerns such as re-occurring unsanctioned campers, significant trash or graffiti, please email our Shelter Services Inbox at shelterservices@portlandoregon.gov.
The email inbox is checked multiple times a day by the Portland Solution’s Engagement Team. Finally, for more ongoing issues such as general lighting, safety, and livability concerns, we encourage attendance at the NW Portland’s problem solver meeting. Connect with the PEMO team at pemo@portlandoregon.gov for an invitation.