Hillsboro, Oregon, to open year-round homeless shelter with 75-bed capacity, pets allowed

The city of Hillsboro, Oregon, is preparing to open a year-round homeless shelter. Once open, it will be operated by Project Homeless Connect, Washington County, and will be the county’s first hybrid model shelter. It will hold at least 75 individuals, with 40 shelter pods and 35 additional beds in a congregate sleeping area, and staff will be onsite 24/7.

The facility will also offer wraparound services, including three meals a day, laundry, health care, peer support, and shelter liaisons. The liaisons will be onsite to help people staying at the shelter work on their next steps. Offering a meal and a place to sleep to neighbors who have neither is a practical form of hospitality (Matthew 25:35).

Hillsboro Mayor Beach Pace described the shelter as part of the City Council’s longer effort to make sure all community members are cared for, including people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. “To get those folks off the street and into support, not only a place for them to sleep but also services that they can use and get themselves back on their feet and into more regular housing,” Pace said.

Pace also said the shelter will allow pets to stay with their handlers. “Homelessness doesn’t extend to just humans, right? It also goes to animals and mental health is connected to having a pet,” Pace said. “A lot of our houseless community members have pets, and so there’s also accommodation for them.”

The shelter will operate as a low-barrier facility, meaning fewer requirements are needed for admission. Reactions to that approach varied. Some frequent shoppers in the neighboring Winco shopping area said they worry about possible overflow and loitering in the area. County Commissioner Jerry Willey said the location will be key to helping people move toward self-sufficiency, pointing to a nearby grocery store, light rail and bus access. “It’s an opportunity for the folks that are living here to be a part of the community,” Willey said.

Hillsboro residents also offered differing views. Brian Harris said, “Honestly, I don’t have a lot of faith in that. I have mixed emotions about it.” PJ Golden said, “I believe that houselessness is a symptom of the underlying problems, and so to help at least provide some shelter as we try and target the root of those problems I think is important.” Dylan Fischer, a long-time Hillsboro resident, said that support for people dealing with substance abuse issues should accompany any broader policy changes.

The roughly $17.5 million shelter is opening on Southwest 17th Avenue and Tualatin Valley (TV) Highway. It is being funded with help from Washington County’s Metro Supportive Housing Services measure, along with state and federal funding. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, helped secure $850,000 in Community Project Funding for the site. “It’s an excellent example of collaboration with state, local, metro and federal governments working together to meet the needs of those who are struggling with homelessness,” Bonamici said.

According to county officials, the county, the city of Hillsboro, and Project Homeless Connect will connect with shelter neighbors over the next few weeks to develop what they call a “neighborhood plan.” The plan is intended to address neighbors’ concerns and build clear lines of communication.

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