Buildskape – Montavilla News

The Harrison Community Village at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue opened to residents on September 29th after months of unexpected delays. Multnomah County’s Homeless Service Department (HSD) and site operator Do Good Multnomah held a public preview of the newly completed sober-shelter site on April 24th, expecting residents to soon fill 38 shed-style sleeping quarters arranged on the property. However, issues with the vinyl plank flooring used by the pod-style housing manufacturer delayed intake operations as crews worked to repair the failing flooring adhesive.

Intersection of SE 82nd Ave with visible street sign and green trees in the background; containers are behind a black fence on the right side.

County spokesperson Julia Comnes explained that site operators observed vinyl plank flooring peeling up from the subfloor of the pods before the shelter opened and repairs required “several rounds before the flooring was ready.” Not all shelter pods are ready for habitation, as some units are still undergoing repairs. However, Do Good Multnomah is bringing people into the temporary housing ahead of the cold-weather season. “These delays were unfortunate,” remarked Comnes. “The fact is that pod-style shelters are still relatively new, and the industry is still testing and learning what build style and materials are best suited to this application in our local climate.”

Interior view of a small, empty room with a wooden floor, a single bed with a dark mattress, an air conditioning unit, and a window letting in natural light. — *_{LIT Homes produced 8-by-10.5-foot single room pod-style shelter with original flooring}*

The sleeping pods, made by Portland-based LIT Homes, offer an 8-by-10.5-foot room with heating and cooling. Wayne Watson explained that the flooring did not fail, but the glue that adhered it to the subfloor did not withstand prolonged disuse without environmental controls. He said that the units were delivered to the County in the beginning of 2026 and sat in the cold and heat for many months without climate controls. That prolonged disuse exceeded the adhesive rating as applied by the factory. “Can you imagine what would happen if you left a home without heating or cooling for seven months?” asked Watson. He said the units are delivered as fully assembled “volumetric” assemblies, ready to occupy as soon as they’re connected to power, and other customers have people moving in within days of delivery.

LIT Homes responded to the County’s concerns and reapplied the Luxury Vinyl Tiles with more adhesive. A small subset requires additional attention to restore the flooring to its delivered condition. County facilities staff and the project’s general contractor, Buildskape, are unsure what caused the flooring issue. However, after working with the subcontractor, LIT Homes, to resolve it, they say the County will replace the flooring altogether. “Given the ongoing issues, we’ve decided to replace the flooring with different materials in all of the units to avoid future challenges,” explained Comnes. The project team has no timeline for the replacement work. Still, they believe the materials are readily available, so the work should be completed quickly, and all guests currently on-site will be able to stay there throughout the replacement process.

Close-up of a metallic plaque on a structure, displaying the text 'LIT HOMES' and a serial number 'G1070-280-025', with yellow directional markings beneath. — *_{LIT Homes plate on one of the pod-style shelters}*

In addition to environmental controls, sleeping pod residents have a bed, light, and power for personal devices, but use other structures for sanitation and food preparation. Six converted shipping container units provide office space for staff, participant services, hygiene facilities, kitchenette amenities, and laundry facilities. Residents and their pets will have on-site access to modest green spaces.

Multnomah County purchased the former recreational vehicle dealership at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue in December 2022 for $2 million. The County bought this 34,000-square-foot parcel as the second Montavilla location for temporary shelter services. The other shelter, Oak Street Village at 333 SE 82nd Avenue, opened in February 2025 and is currently operating near full capacity. The Joint Office of Homeless Services—now renamed the Homeless Services Department—has held several community meetings, including one in February where the nonprofit Do Good Multnomah staff elaborated on the site’s sober shelter model that aims for people to stay onsite from 90 days to three months as they work towards stable housing in a recovery-supportive environment. Presenters explained that residents and staff are subject to drug testing, and policy strictly prohibits the possession of non-prescribed intoxicants on the property. Choosing a sober format meets the community’s stated desires for the county-owned site, which is near two Portland Public Schools. Do Good Multnomah conducts background checks on potential residents looking for past criminal history, and those with a record of abuse of vulnerable populations are directed to another, more appropriate shelter or resource. The site is also a weapons-free zone.

Row of small, modular housing units with metal siding under a clear blue sky.

Do Good Multnomah took control of the site at the end of construction in April to begin setting up the shelter with furniture, technology resources, and other move-in needs. On-site staffing remained limited in the following months because there were no residents. Contractors working with the HSD are paid on a cost-reimbursement basis. As a result, the County says Do Good Multnomah was paid only for reduced staffing at the site until the workforce increases to meet program participant needs.

The site is completely fenced, with a new chain-link barrier on three sides of the property using enhanced privacy slats installed in the fence. Unlike some other installations, these plastic inserts have side wings that better fill the gaps where the wire links connect, providing significant visual obstruction. Site designers also planted greenery along the SE Mill Street frontage to provide additional buffer between the newly updated sidewalk and the shelter space. Because of the visual obstructions, members of the public likely did not know Harrison Community Village was unoccupied this summer. Oak Street Village, north of this site, shows little activity even when fully occupied. If this location follows that pattern, few will notice changes as residents move in. However, people looking for a sober option as they transition to stable housing should be relieved that the Harrison Community Village is finally open.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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On Thursday, October 10th, demolition crews with Buildskape razed the single-story auto sales building on the Multnomah County-owned property at 333 SE 82nd Avenue. As they prepared the site for an alternative outdoor shelter, workers removed the signage and high-intensity light poles used by RV and automotive sales tenants over the last several decades. In early 2025, people transitioning out of houselessness will begin moving into 29 one-room sleeping pods and receive support from site operator Straightway Services.

At an October 9th community meeting, engagement coordinators with the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) announced the final name of the shelter site. Up to this point, JOHS referred to the project under the working name of Montavilla Community Village. After consulting with community groups and business association members, officials selected the site name Oak Street Village. This final name establishes its location and will disambiguate it from a planned second Montavilla shelter location further south at SE 82nd Avenue and Mill Street. That other location will start development next year, with residents expected in 2026.

With the site nearly cleared of debris, crews will soon begin digging trenches for water and sewer infrastructure connecting to portable units that house showers, bathrooms, kitchenette space, and a laundry facility for residents. The site uses Pallet branded shelters for the eight-by-20-foot shed-style sleeping pods. Residents and staff will have 33 onsite parking spaces, trash services, and other communal spaces for pet relief and covered outdoor seating. Straightway Services staff members operate the site 24 hours a day, working from the office building at the SE Oak Street entrance.

_{Oak Street Village s}*_{ite rendering courtesy Multnomah County}*

Up to 40 adults can reside at the Oak Street Village. That number varies based on the number of couples staying at the shelter who can share a single sleeping pod. The JOHS-funded program intends for guests to have a limited stay at this site and use it as a stepping stone to finding stable housing. Rules of the shelter prohibit the use of illegal substances and alcohol. People may not possess dangerous weapons at Oak Street Village, and visitors are not allowed unless they are part of an approved support service. Residents will abide by quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Straightway Services will answer an onsite phone line available to the public to respond to questions or hear neighbor’s concerns.

These Oak Street Village policies and other considerations are part of a community engagement process that includes a lengthy Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) working group process that is wrapping up ahead of the site’s opening. Representatives of the JOHS, Straightway Services, Montavilla Neighborhood Association, Montavilla East Tabor Business Association, and the City of Portland participated in the process and will sign the agreement. That document calls for a community advisory group to track set metrics for area livability and will meet quarterly to review and advise on changes that could improve conditions.

Montavilla News first reported on the County’s intentions for two former RV sales sites along 82nd Avenue at the end of 2022. Over the last two years, the County increased its engagement strategy and held several community meetings. Organization representatives on the GNA working group described the process as productive at the October 9th meeting. They said people can view a complete version of the document at an upcoming neighborhood association meeting planned for later this year. Once signed, it will become a public document for anyone to read, with amendments and other relevant data appearing online. Construction crews will work on the site over the next three to four months before Straightway Services takes over the property to ready it for guests’ arrivals around February 2025.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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