This is excellent news. The livability of the Pearl has been seriously impacted by the increase in crime, drug use, and accompanying filth and noise since the Northrup shelter opened.
I just heard this and didn’t believe it was true. Still can’t believe it but am absolutely thrilled.
I know it is one step at a time but I’ll be curious to see what is then done to manage those that want to stick around and continue to cause problems.
Also curious to see how that long lease that the city signed is going to play out.
However - wanted to give a MASSIVE kudos to Linda Witt and the group of volunteers that worked tirelessly to continue to collect and present data. This would not be possible without that thankless job.
I have a sneaking suspicion Clark and Zimmerman also had a hand in this but it is pure conjecture.
In the face of the upcoming budget mess, to hear 23rd being repaired and this shelter closing - at least a few things are being addressed before we have even less to work with.
We truly live in a dysfunctional city - I wish we could borrow San Francisco's mayor for a year or two. I'll remind all those who are happy - sleeping is a biological function. If they are not sleeping in a shelter, they will be sleeping on your doorstep. If they are not pooping in the shelter bathroom, they will be pooping on the sidewalk. If people think the Portland police will do a better job policing the area with the shelter gone, I have a bridge to sell you. As long as the city treats the homeless with "kid gloves", the problem is not going away.
We are happy and relieved for our former Pearl neighbors who expressed many concerns over months prior to the opening of this shelter. We were there with them. What could possibly go wrong went wrong, no shock to any of us. We are so sorry we had to leave during the worst of it and now it’s just too late for us. But we hope and pray this formerly thriving neighborhood can return to its glory days. We absolutely loved the Pearl.
The City of Portland is providing notice of its intention to terminate a lease agreement with the property owner at 1435 NW Northrup St., the location of the City’s NW Northrup overnight emergency shelter site. The planned closure of the NW Northrup shelter is one cost saving option the City is currently pursuing in response to budget constraints in the coming fiscal year.
Portland remains committed to providing a safe bed for every person, every night, to everyone who will accept one, as well as continuing to serve those most in need in conjunction with our jurisdictional partners. Final decisions about service reductions or additions will be made after the FY 2026-27 budget is decided.
The NW Northrup Shelter site opened in September 2025 and has provided over 17,200 safe nights of rest in just the first seven months of operation. Portland Solutions has proudly partnered with shelter operator the Salvation Army to serve guests at this location.
We will communicate further information and details as they become available.
This is enormously frustrating because many of us who live near this shelter and are impacted by the safety and livability issues KNEW this was a bad location for a shelter, and also vocalized this loudly and publicly to Wilson and our elected representatives. Huge waste of money, negative impacts to our community, further exacerbating instability among the unhoused population. Nothing good came from this and we told them!!!! We need just real common sense leading these decisions. I had hoped Wilson would bring this to ongoing crisis but this preventable disaster leaves a lot be desired. Extremely frustrating.
????????? (Is all I can say!!!!)
This is excellent news. The livability of the Pearl has been seriously impacted by the increase in crime, drug use, and accompanying filth and noise since the Northrup shelter opened.
Thank You Linda Witt and volunteers for your relentless surveillance and outstanding reporting!!! The party's over.
I just heard this and didn’t believe it was true. Still can’t believe it but am absolutely thrilled.
I know it is one step at a time but I’ll be curious to see what is then done to manage those that want to stick around and continue to cause problems.
Also curious to see how that long lease that the city signed is going to play out.
However - wanted to give a MASSIVE kudos to Linda Witt and the group of volunteers that worked tirelessly to continue to collect and present data. This would not be possible without that thankless job.
I have a sneaking suspicion Clark and Zimmerman also had a hand in this but it is pure conjecture.
In the face of the upcoming budget mess, to hear 23rd being repaired and this shelter closing - at least a few things are being addressed before we have even less to work with.
We truly live in a dysfunctional city - I wish we could borrow San Francisco's mayor for a year or two. I'll remind all those who are happy - sleeping is a biological function. If they are not sleeping in a shelter, they will be sleeping on your doorstep. If they are not pooping in the shelter bathroom, they will be pooping on the sidewalk. If people think the Portland police will do a better job policing the area with the shelter gone, I have a bridge to sell you. As long as the city treats the homeless with "kid gloves", the problem is not going away.
We are happy and relieved for our former Pearl neighbors who expressed many concerns over months prior to the opening of this shelter. We were there with them. What could possibly go wrong went wrong, no shock to any of us. We are so sorry we had to leave during the worst of it and now it’s just too late for us. But we hope and pray this formerly thriving neighborhood can return to its glory days. We absolutely loved the Pearl.
Update from city spokesperson sent at 10:33 a.m.:
The City of Portland is providing notice of its intention to terminate a lease agreement with the property owner at 1435 NW Northrup St., the location of the City’s NW Northrup overnight emergency shelter site. The planned closure of the NW Northrup shelter is one cost saving option the City is currently pursuing in response to budget constraints in the coming fiscal year.
Portland remains committed to providing a safe bed for every person, every night, to everyone who will accept one, as well as continuing to serve those most in need in conjunction with our jurisdictional partners. Final decisions about service reductions or additions will be made after the FY 2026-27 budget is decided.
The NW Northrup Shelter site opened in September 2025 and has provided over 17,200 safe nights of rest in just the first seven months of operation. Portland Solutions has proudly partnered with shelter operator the Salvation Army to serve guests at this location.
We will communicate further information and details as they become available.
Cody Bowman
City spin.
This is enormously frustrating because many of us who live near this shelter and are impacted by the safety and livability issues KNEW this was a bad location for a shelter, and also vocalized this loudly and publicly to Wilson and our elected representatives. Huge waste of money, negative impacts to our community, further exacerbating instability among the unhoused population. Nothing good came from this and we told them!!!! We need just real common sense leading these decisions. I had hoped Wilson would bring this to ongoing crisis but this preventable disaster leaves a lot be desired. Extremely frustrating.