Hygiene Stations Continuation and Expansion

Information
Signs on Portland public toilets: "This is more than a bathroom. It's also a human right."
The City's Hygiene Stations help unhoused Portlanders have safe access to bathrooms and hand washing stations. This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan, which is investing in Portland’s recovery, our future - and everyone's health and safety.

Overview

This project will fund the existing hygiene stations for one year as well as pay for added stations that are accessible to those with disabilities (what we call ADA compliant).

Staff conducted field research and used existing data to determine which locations would serve the most people. Some units are located in busy downtown corridors while others are in residential neighborhoods - centrally located between multiple encampments to minimize the distance people need to travel to access them. A map of hygiene stations is available online.

Who does this program serve?

Although this program is intended to serve unhoused community members who don't have access to bathrooms, hygiene stations serve all Portlanders. Anyone is welcome to use these public restrooms. 

How is this program funded?

The City of Portland has committed $3 million to this program. This money comes from the U.S. government’s 2021 American Rescue Plan local recovery funds. Portland will receive a total of $208 million from the American Rescue Plan and has until Dec. 31, 2026, to spend it. The City of Portland is spending money in three priority categories:

  • Houselessness Response and Household Stabilization
  • Small Business and Commercial District Stabilization
  • Community Health and Safety

Read more about these investments in this article: American Rescue Plan: Investing in Portland

Who manages this program?

The hygiene stations are managed by the Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program. The Impact Reduction Program uses empathy and innovation to minimize the impacts of homelessness today while partner programs expand access to safe, affordable housing. We provide garbage removal, hygiene access, resource referral and job opportunities – and remove campsites that pose the highest risk to health and safety.

Results

We want to be transparent and accountable with how the City of Portland is spending American Rescue Plan money. Explore the different projects at our Rescue Plan Open Data website.

You can get more information about the City's Impact Reduction Program online.