Multnomah County will open emergency warming shelters on Thursday night, February 13th, through noon or later on Friday, February 14th. In coordination with the County’s state of emergency efforts related to expected cold weather, TriMet will not turn away riders unable to pay for transit on their way to or from a warming shelter during shelter operating hours. Six additional warming shelters will join Multnomah County and the City of Portland’s nearly 3,000 existing shelter beds to help more people off the street during the intensely cold night-time hours.
TriMet is committed to transporting people to emergency warming shelters during declared emergencies and will not collect a fare if the person informs the driver they cannot pay and are on their way to or from a shelter. However, those who can pay the fare must do so, even when riding during cold weather. Fare-free transportation for people unable to pay is limited to direct shelter travel and not as a warm alternative to being outside. TriMet wants to help individuals get out of the cold and into shelters with access to food, restrooms, wraparound support services, and other resources unavailable on the transit system.
Multnomah County’s Care for When It’s Cold website offers updated details about emergency warming shelter locations. Montavilla has one location open during this cold weather event within the Ascension Catholic Church at 743 SE 76th Avenue. The County will operate this temporary location. Warming site operators will not turn away anyone seeking shelter. All warming locations will welcome pets and be accessible to people with disabling conditions. Additional free transportation to warming shelters is available by calling 2-1-1.
Update: This article was updated with current information about emergency warming shelter access for the extended winter weather with an expected snow and ice storm.
