In an effort to address the ongoing housing crisis, Washington County and the City of Beaverton celebrated the opening of the new Beaverton Shelter. This initiative emerged as a part of a collaborative effort involving a range of stakeholders, from government to local organizations, aimed at providing comprehensive services to the homeless population.
The shelter, which offers accommodations for 60 guests, is in operation year-round, offering not only the basics – such as beds and meals – but also vital resources tailored to assist individuals in their transition from homelessness to stable housing. As Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington stated, “Washington County has dramatically scaled up shelter capacity thanks to the Supportive Housing Services measure, and we are proud to support over 430 shelter beds county-wide,” according to the county's announcement.
Open Door HousingWorks, a key partner in this initiative, will offer housing navigation and supportive services within the shelter. Jeremy Toevs, Director of Open Door HousingWorks, emphasized the importance of creating a space that connects shelter residents with long-term housing resources, calling it "life changing" in an interview given to Washington County's official website.
The opening ceremony highlighted the theme of collaboration, with remarks from leaders such as Governor Kotek and Beaverton Mayor Beaty emphasizing the role of teamwork. Mayor Beaty specifically recognized the contributions of “state and federal legislators, county officials, local non-profits, city councilors, and city staff” in making the project a reality, as per the county's annoucement. Funding for the Beaverton Shelter includes a significant contribution from the voter-approved Metro Supportive Housing Services measure and approximately $9 million in state and federal funding, including American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Located at 11380 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway, the shelter is positioned near public transit and essential services, including grocery stores, social service agencies, and employment opportunities. This supports the goal of making homelessness "rare, brief and nonrecurring," as outlined by Metro Council President Lynn Peterson. Sen. Kate Lieber also recognized the community's efforts in securing these resources, identifying the shelter as an important step in addressing the regional homelessness issue, as stated on the Washington County's official website.
