Tag: Harrison Community Village

Community, New Residence

Harrison Community Village Shelter Preview April 24

On Friday, April 24th, Multnomah County’s Homeless Service Department (HSD) and site operator Do Good Multnomah invite the public to preview Harrison Community Village Shelter from 2 to 4 p.m. The newly completed sober-shelter site at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue will soon host 38 shed-style sleeping quarters for adult residents.

Event flyer for the Harrison Community Village Sneak Peek event on April 24, detailing location, time, and QR code for RSVP.
April 24th Harrison Community Village Shelter “Sneak Peak” invite courtesy Multnomah County

Multnomah County purchased the former recreational vehicle dealership at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue in December 2022 for $2 million. This 34,000-square-foot parcel was the second Montavilla location the County bought that year for temporary shelter services. The other shelter, Oak Street Village at 333 SE 82nd Avenue, opened in February 2025 and is currently operating at 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. Selecting a sober format meets community desires for the county-owned site, which is near two Portland Public Schools. Do Good Multnomah will conduct 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.

A row of metal temporary housing units with windows and air conditioning units, set along a pathway on a sunny day.
Interior view of a small, modern room featuring a black mattress on a wooden platform, a window showing an outdoor view, and an air conditioning unit mounted on the wall.
Inside LIT Homes 8 by 10.5-foot sleeping pod

HSD will contract with the operator to staff the alternative shelter site at all hours of the day. The residents will receive a private sleeping pod made by Portland-based LIT Homes, each offering an 8 by 10.5-foot room with heating and cooling. Six converted shipping container units will provide office space for staff, participant services, hygiene facilities, kitchenette amenities, and laundry facilities. Residents and their pets will have on-site access to a modest green space. The site will receive upgraded fencing with privacy inserts on all street sides and a wood fence between the adjacent residential property to the east. The site intends to offer more than short-term shelter. People in the program will have access to dedicated housing case management and abstinence-based recovery services to help with long-term substance use recovery and housing stability.

A modern kitchen space featuring two refrigerators, one silver and one black, along with a shelf equipped with several microwave ovens and a countertop in the background.
Kitchenette with refrigerators, microwaves, and a sink
A freshly installed patch of artificial grass bordered by wooden framing, surrounded by a black privacy fence on a sunny day.
Pet relief area for residents with dogs

People staying at Harrison Community Village will have access to a kitchenette with refrigerators, microwaves, and a sink, along with dining space. The site offers a pet relief area for residents with dogs, and residents are expected to keep their animals on leash in public spaces. However, not every person can have a pet. The site operator tries to limit the shelter to a total of five dogs and five cats. People can seek outdoor leisure away from the elements in a covered carport-style outdoor seating area. There are laundry facilities, shower rooms, and bathrooms in separate structures. All shared amenities are accessible to people with special mobility requirements, and select units are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- compliant, with ramps and platforms, providing no-step entry.

Close-up view of overlapping metallic panels with a black wire securing them.
Enhanced privacy slats installed in the fence

The site is completely fenced, with a new chainlink barrier on three sides of the property using enhanced privacy slats installed in the fence. Unlike some other installations, these plastic inserts have wings on the side 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. The eastern edge of the property, abutting a residential lot, was fenced with wood. That neighbor had previously expressed concern because the County’s southern fence only follows the property line, leaving a gap between existing fences. The construction crews received permission from adjoining landowners to work beyond the property line and filled that gap.

A narrow pathway between two fences; on the left, a tall black wrought iron fence alongside a grassy area, and on the right, a wooden fence enclosure with a gate, surrounded by lush vegetation.
Gap between fences beyond the county’s property line filled at neighbor’s request

HSD estimates it will cost $107 per night to house and provide supportive services to each resident. This number includes utilities and staff time. This location is opening at a time when the City of Portland and Multnomah County are looking to reduce shelter space due to budget concerns. The two Montavilla shelters along SE 82nd Avenue are not under threat of closure, but other smaller shelters in the County are concerned about possible closure.

A sidewalk lined with newly planted trees and mulch, viewed along a street with parked cars, under a clear blue sky.
Planting buffer alon SE Mill St

The Harrison Community Village Shelter Preview may be the only opportunity some residents will have to see inside the shelter, thanks to the enhanced privacy fence. It is one of many public outreach efforts by HSD to involve the community, including a Good Neighbor Agreement that was crafted with input from Do Good Multnomah, the 82nd Avenue Business Association, African Youth & Community Organization, APANO, and the Montavilla Neighborhood Association. People wishing to attend the April 24th event should complete an online RSVP form.

View of several modular housing units lined up in a row, with clear blue skies overhead.
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Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Construction, New Residence

Buildings Arrive at Harrison Community Village

On December 2nd, crews working with a crane unloaded prefabricated mobile buildings that will support the residents and site operators of Harrison Community Village at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue. This installation marks a significant milestone as the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department (HSD) prepares the site to house a new sober shelter operated by nonprofit Do Good Multnomah. Principal work on this project began in August, when demolition crews razed the single-story sales office and shop, last used as an RV sales location and later purchased by Multnomah County to become Montavilla’s second shelter site on 82nd Avenue. Work will continue during the 2025-2026 winter season to prepare the site for 38 single-occupancy shed-style shelter units.

A crane unloading prefabricated blue mobile buildings made from shipping containers at the Harrison Community Village construction site, surrounded by a fence and utility poles.

The blue metal buildings, made from shipping containers that specialists recently craned into place, will house sanitation facilities, offices, cooking facilities, and other shared spaces. Previously, electricians and plumbers installed underground utilities to provide services to the temporary buildings on the site. Fencing installers have begun setting posts for a new seven-foot-high chain-link fence with plastic privacy inserts meant to obscure visibility into the property. Further work phases will create an outdoor pet relief area, green space, and covered seating for residents. Crews will also construct a trash enclosure and complete new perimeter barriers, including a new wood fence along the eastern edge of the property to create a buffer between the shelter site and the adjoining single-family residence.

A proposed site design for a new sober shelter, showing the layout of sleeping units, community space, staff areas, and essential facilities like showers and laundry. The design includes labeled areas for vehicle entry, landscaping, and fencing.

Multnomah County purchased the former recreational vehicle dealership at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue in December 2022 for $2.015 million. This 34,000-square-foot parcel was the second Montavilla location the County bought that year for temporary shelter services. The other shelter, Oak Street Village at 333 SE 82nd Avenue, opened in February and is currently operating at full capacity. The Joint Office of Homeless Services — now renamed the Homeless Services Department — has held several community meetings, including one in April that announced that Do Good Multnomah would operate the site as a sober shelter. Presenters explained that residents and staff are subject to drug testing, and policy strictly prohibits the possession of non-prescribed intoxicants on the property. Selecting a sober format meets a specific need for people transitioning into stable housing who are in recovery from substance use disorder, and it better matches community desires for the site, which is near two Portland Public Schools.

Construction workers unloading prefabricated mobile buildings using a crane at the site of Harrison Community Village, with blue shipping container buildings visible in the background.

Homeless Services Department staff will continue to collaborate with community partners on a Good Neighbor Agreement. People can expect to see much more above-ground work at the site, leading up to an early 2026 community tour of the property, followed by the first group of residents beginning to move into the sober housing, where they will receive on-site support every hour of every day, with operators providing wraparound services that aim to move people into stable housing. People interested in knowing more can visit the Harrison Community Village website.

Feb 2025 Design – courtesy HSD

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Construction, Government

County Board Approves Harrison Community Village Project on SE 82nd

On December 19th, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to proceed with the Harrison Community Village‘s construction at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue. This temporary alternative shelter will support up to 45 adults residing in 38 sleeping pods and utilizing several converted shipping containers offering residents showers, bathrooms, kitchenette space, and a laundry facility. In a four-to-one vote, the County Board passed the resolution with one amendment requiring the County to work with community representatives to create a Safe Routes to School plan and negotiate a Good Neighborhood Agreement (GNA) before opening the shelter.

Sleeping pod images from December 19th Multnomah County Board of Commissioners presentation

Multnomah County purchased the former recreational vehicle dealership at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue in December 2022 for $2.015 million. This 34,000-square-foot parcel was the second Montavilla location the County bought that year for temporary shelter services while they land-banked the properties for future development. Newly seated County Commissioner Shannon Singleton explained during the lengthy board discussion on December 19th her recollection of County thinking in 2022. Commissioner Singleton served as the interim director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) around the time Multnomah County acquired the properties, and her experience as someone tangentially involved in the purchase offered unique knowledge to the board’s understanding of the site’s purpose.

Project budget slide from December 19th Multnomah County Board of Commissioners presentation

Metro Supportive Housing Services Measure money allocated from the Safety off the Streets – Emergency Shelter Strategic Investment budget will cover the shelter’s $4,128,197 cost. The bulk of funds will support the demolition of the existing building and construction costs for the power, water, and sewer hookups needed for the temporary structures. Presenters noted that planners allocated $1.4 million of the budget to reusable shelter sleeping pods and shelter support containers. Those items could be relocated to a future site when the County re-purposes the property for other uses. The JOHS team presented a firm timeline for the shelter’s opening, requiring this late 2024 vote to keep on schedule. Starting in January 2025, the project team will develop plans and seek City of Portland building permits ahead of construction slated to begin in July 2025. Crews should complete work in November, and the site could open to residents in December 2025.

Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards provided significant insight into community thinking around the proposed shelter, having attended a December 5th JOHS community meeting and communicated with area residents after the event. Commissioner Brim-Edwards agreed with some of the concerns expressed during that JOHS community meeting and in public testimony the board heard before their vote. She noted the JOHS had two years to engage with the public prior to this resolution but only held an initial meeting two weeks before the end-of-the-year vote. Additionally, issues delayed a mailed notice to surrounding neighbors that would have notified them of the December 5th meeting. JOHS staff hand-delivered notices to over 600 addresses because of the delayed mailing, in some cases just days before the event. Commissioner Brim-Edwards also echoed some area residents’ concerns that this section of Portland has an out-sized density of services for people experiencing houselessness. Commissioner Brim-Edwards represents Multnomah County’s District 3, covering most of Southeast and East Portland, including these shelter locations on SE 82nd Avenue.

In response to constituent concerns and to support a successful shelter site, Commissioner Brim-Edwards proposed an amendment to the Harrison Community Village resolution. The adopted amendment requires the County, shelter service provider, neighborhood association, business association, and Portland Public School representatives to develop a GNA before the site opens to residents. It states the County will coordinate with the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Public Schools to preserve SE Mill Street’s access for safe travel to schools. Bridger Creative Science School is one block west of the Mill Street site, and Harrison Park Middle School is several blocks southeast on SE 87th Avenue. SE Mill Street is part of the Neighborhood Greenway bike and pedestrian network, providing one of only a few fully signalized crossings of SE 82nd Avenue in the area. Although County site planners have already started conversations with the two schools, the amendment solidifies their responsibility to “work with the nearby school communities to hear and address school community concerns.”

1818 SE 82nd Avenue site seen across a marked crosswalk at a signalized intersection (Jacob Loeb)

Commissioner Sharon Meieran provided the one no vote for the resolution, citing many concerns, including the rushed proposal, which she said had insufficient community engagement and lacked transparent planning. She noted that, in her observation, the County teams only come to the community and the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners when required to by policy and at the last minute. She questioned the JOHS’s choice to place this shelter along 82nd Avenue over other options or by reinvesting in current locations, saying they lacked a cohesive shelter plan. However, Commissioner Meieran did acknowledge that “No one can argue we need every space possible.” Presenters argued that the 1818 SE 82nd Avenue site had been part of the Community Sheltering Strategy that came from extensive planning guided by electeds and service providers. Additionally, they plan to work with the incoming Portland Mayor, Keith Wilson, to complement his sheltering plan.

Site illustrations in this article courtesy JOHS

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners recognized the need to add shelter beds quickly, particularly as other existing shelters close. That sentiment was at the root of why most commissioners voted in favor of moving the Harrison Community Village project forward. There was a general recognition that these shelters, with privacy fencing along the sidewalk, would negatively impact the City’s Build a Better 82nd efforts along the corridor by making a less active streetscape and continuing to underutilize the sites that can support substantial buildings. Several commissioners noted community members’ request to delay this site until the first Montavilla shelter on 82nd Avenue had time to generate useful information on how these sites will impact the neighborhood. However, the need for increased shelter capacity outweighed the calls for delay, with the added understanding that this second shelter site would open almost a year after the 333 SE 82nd Avenue shelter started operations.  Commissioners expect the County and JOHS staff to collect livability statistics from this site and others in the system to help inform operators and the public on shelter impacts.

Presenters anticipate Harrison Community Village’s GNA will include collecting key metrics around the shelter site, similar to the data required by the Oak Street Village GNA. By the time the 1818 SE 82nd Avenue site opens in December 2025, the 333 SE 82nd Avenue shelter will have already provided 11 months of livability data. With the Harrison Community Village approved for funding, the next milestone for the site will come when officials select a shelter service provider. At that point, the JOHS can schedule more community meetings to address site operation questions, and community groups can begin working on a GNA for this site.

By

Jacob Loeb

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