Mayor Ted Wheeler Announces Portland Building Will Serve as Emergency Shelter Tonight

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Michael Cox 503-823-6593

Mayor Ted Wheeler Announces Portland Building Will Serve as Emergency Shelter Tonight

May remain open during Severe Weather Warning, Mayor says no one will be turned away from shelter

PORTLAND, OR – Mayor Elect Ted Wheeler today announced that the Portland Building will serve as an emergency shelter tonight due to severely cold temperatures in the city. The center will open at 7pm and close again at 7am Thursday. Due to the extreme weather, it is possible the shelter will open again Thursday and Friday nights as well. This will be a severe-weather-only operation.

“The city and county are committed to not turning anybody away from shelter during the severe weather warning,” said Wheeler. “The system’s capacity needs to expand as the cold weather continues. The Portland Building is a good option to increase that capacity.”

Transition Projects, a very experienced shelter operator, has agreed to provide the lead staff for the warming center. Mayor Wheeler has asked city staff to volunteer to assist during operating hours. City staff who volunteer will be paid for their work.

the community has opened more than 450 beds of severe weather capacity this week, bringing the total number of shelter beds in the community to approximately 1,600.

Additional information from Multnomah County, including how to donate much-needed donations, can be found here: https://multco.us/multnomah-county/news/severe-weather-warming-centers-open-no-one-will-be-turned-away

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