Information
Learn more about the community engagement strategy for the City of Portland's emergency overnight shelters.
This page was created 4.18.25. Updated 4.18.25
Engagement Approach
The City of Portland continues to establish shelters and services to address the current homelessness crisis, providing a humane option for those who are living unhoused on our streets to access safe shelter. To augment its current portfolio of shelters, the City will add overnight shelter locations to increase the number of beds available each night. The City is standardizing commitments made to communities where shelters are placed and operated. The engagement strategy presented in this document details a set of commitments around City resources to address potential impacts that overnight shelters can have on the surrounding area, as well as to support participants at shelters.
Since 2022, the City established a portfolio of 10 shelters that are low barrier, high service, and staffed 24/7 to provide shelter and services to individuals interested in working toward stability and permanent housing. Starting in 2025, the City will increase the number of shelter beds available each night by establishing new overnight shelters that will serve as a safe place to sleep overnight but will be closed during the day. For overnight shelters, the City will offer a prescriptive engagement strategy to support the immediate area around a shelter.
Community Engagement Plan
Each shelter will be prescribed an engagement area that generally extends 1,000 ft. from the shelter in any direction. Within the engagement area, the City will provide the following services (refer to the Engagement Services section below for additional details):
- Initial Site Assessment: Public Environment Management Office (PEMO) staff will complete a site assessment to assess the immediate surrounding area of a shelter location. PEMO will abate nuisances where possible (garbage, graffiti, existing nuisances) and activate spaces by working with City partners to deliver solutions. PEMO staff will also invite interested parties to attend bi-weekly PEMO Problem Solver meetings (Neighborhood Coalition staff and Business Association staff are Problem Solver network participants).
- Mailer Notification: A mailer will be sent to residential and commercial neighbors within 1,000 ft. of new overnight shelters to provide shelter information and an online link to further resources.
- Service Coordination: If other organizations intend to deliver services to shelter participants at, or directly adjacent to, an overnight shelter, the City will coordinate with organization(s) to reduce impacts on the surrounding area. The City has the ability to ensure any service activities are properly permitted and/or in compliance with standing laws.
- Shelter Operator Commitments: Shelter Operators will be contracted to:
- Complete at least two perimeter checks per day to conduct light cleanup and engage with individuals in the immediate area around a shelter. Area to be specified in shelter operator contract.
- Manage a phone number for the facility that is available to the public. As able, Shelter Operators will respond to perimeter issues associated with the shelter, which will include engaging with unsheltered individuals to encourage them to enter an available shelter, access resources, and/or connect with an outreach worker.
- City Engagement Services: High priority engagement with unsanctioned campsites within 1,000 ft. of shelter in response to community reports. This includes prompt engagement with individuals (within 3 business days) by a City or shelter representative and coordination with the City's Street Services Coordination Center (SSCC) as needed. The SSCC coordinates efforts between outreach teams, the Impact Reduction Program (IRP), Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Parks and Recreation, Public Environment Management Office (PEMO), Police, and other City partners when appropriate. City services will also include cleaning/clearing of obstructions, significant trash, hazardous material, and significant graffiti within 5 business days (in response to community reports). Note: Engagement services may change in response to changing legal requirements and capacity of City Programs.
- Jurisdiction Limitations: The City’s jurisdiction is limited to the public-right-of-way and cannot impose actions on private property (residential or commercial). The City must follow all laws and legal processes determined by federal, state, and city law enforcement agencies.
- RV & Car Camping Limitations: Unsanctioned RV and car camping/residency engagement includes additional legal considerations and City resources. High priority engagement will be given to vehicle camping around the perimeter of a shelter (within 250 ft); the process may require a longer timeline (1-2 weeks). Within the 1,000 ft. Boundary area, engagement of RV and car camping/residency will be prioritized by proximity to a shelter location and as resources allow.
Communication Strategy
All shelters will include three communication pathways for community members to communicate shelter-related items:
- Shelter Operator: Phone number available for community members to notify Shelter Operator of items directly related to the shelter (on-site or perimeter), or participants of the shelter.
- PEMO Problem Solver Network: Interested parties around shelters can attend virtual, bi-weekly PEMO Problem Solver meetings (every other week) to provide reports on neighborhood issues. Problem Solver meetings provide a platform to regularly engage with City representatives on livability-related items (graffiti, trash, public safety, etc).
- City Shelter Services Contact: Shelter Services email available to initiate engagement services within the 1000 ft. boundary area as outlined in the Engagement Services section below. Mailbox is reviewed daily.
Engagement Services
The follow table outlines the City of Portland's Engagement Services for Overnight Shelters.
| Service | Engagement Description |
|---|---|
| Shelter Operator Contact | Shelter Operators will provide a contact for community members to share items related to the shelter, the immediate surrounding area, or issues related to participants at the shelter. Shelter Operator will address items if possible and can elevate to Shelter Services if coordination is required. |
| PEMO Problem Solver Meetings | Interested parties around shelters can attend virtual, bi-weekly PEMO Problem Solver meetings to provide reports on neighborhood specific issues. PEMO contact will take notes, provide information, research action items, and provide updates. |
| Shelter Services Email | Community members can initiate City Engagement Services within the 1,000 ft. engagement area by reporting issues to the Shelter Services email. Mailbox is checked daily and reports will initiate a prompt response for services detailed in this Exhibit. |
| Removal of unsanctioned campsites in defined engagement areas. | High priority zone to address unsanctioned campsites. The City will initiate prompt engagement with individuals (within 3 business days) to visit and assess the campsite. Following the assessment, City teams will give highest priority to the sites for a posting. Posting will advise the individuals that the site will be cleaned and removed following a 72-hour waiting period as per Oregon State Law (ORS 195.505). Attempts will be made to connect individuals to the City’s Street Service Coordination Center (SSCC) resources. The City will communicate regular updates (once a week). |
| Removal of Abandoned Vehicles, unsanctioned RVs, and other unsanctioned vehicle camping/residency in defined engagement areas. | High priority zone (within 250 ft.) to address unsanctioned RV and car camping/residency. The City will coordinate with SSCC resources to leverage the appropriate resource to address the vehicle (1-2 week timeline). To address vehicles and RVs, there are additional legal requirements and removals can take time, including assessing a vehicle, tagging it with a warning sticker, and waiting a minimum of three days before returning. Additionally, there are periods of high demand for City resources and priority will be determined by proximity to shelter location. The City will communicate regular updates (once a week minimum). |
| PPB 911/Emergency Calls Response | Emergency calls will be addressed like all emergency calls, prioritized by mandated City protocol. Portland Street Response can be engaged when appropriate by calling 9-1-1 and asking for Portland Street Response. |
| Non-Emergency Calls/311/Reports Response/etc. | The City’s Street Service Coordination Center will meet with designated non-emergency teams (city employees, park rangers, etc.) to emphasize prioritized response around the shelter. |
| Cleaning/clearing of obstructions in public-right-of-way to ensure accessibility. Cleaning of significant trash in public spaces. | Respond to cleaning requests within 5 business days for significant garbage and small obstructions in the public-right-of-way. If a large item or vehicle is blocking the flow of traffic, respond as soon as possible. |
| Significant Graffiti (gang signs, hate speech, etc.) Removal | Graffiti will be removed from the shelter property or city assets within 5 business days. |
| Significant Graffiti Removal - Private Property (single family homes & small businesses). | Graffiti will be removed from (qualifying) private property within 5 business days of gaining consent of the owner reporting the graffiti to the Graffiti Removal Program Coordinator (requires consent form) |
Who to Contact for What Issues
Please reference the following guidelines when deciding the appropriate party to contact:
- Questions or feedback related to shelter services or perimeter issues: Contact relevant Shelter Operator phone number listed on the City’s Emergency Shelter webpage.
- Attend PEMO Problem Solver Meetings: Join virtual PEMO Problem Solver Meetings for your neighborhood (bi-weekly meetings). Contact PEMO@portlandoregon.gov to request a meeting invitation.
- City Engagement Services: To initiate engagement services, file a report online AND email shelterservices@portlandoregon.gov with location and details of the issue (include photos if possible). City Engagement Services include:
- Removal of unsanctioned campsites
- Removal of unsanctioned RVs, unsanctioned vehicle/camping residency:
- Removal of significant trash/waste accumulation/biohazards
- Removal of abandoned vehicles: Call PBOT Abandoned or Junk Vehicle Report Hotline: 503- 823-7309
- Removal of graffiti: Report Graffiti online
- For general inquiries regarding the City's Shelter Services: Email shelterservices@portlandoregon.gov
- For emergencies: Please contact 9-1-1