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Chair announces extension of severe‑weather shelter activation; 462 people sheltered overnight
Summary
Multnomah County extended a severe‑weather shelter activation for at least one additional day, opening five locations and reporting 462 people sheltered the previous night. Commissioners were urged to share shift sign‑ups and staff said shelters would reopen at 8 p.m.
Multnomah County leaders announced an extension of a severe‑weather shelter activation and opened multiple sites after an overnight surge in people seeking refuge from cold temperatures.
The county’s presiding officer (Chair) said the state of emergency for severe weather was extended so shelters and warming stations would remain available through at least 6 p.m. the following day. “Shelters are open until noon today and are going to reopen at 8 p.m. tonight and will be open at least through noon tomorrow,” the Chair said during the briefing.
County staff reported that the previous night’s response provided refuge to 462 people. The Chair said the additional capacity is in addition to more than 3,000 shelter beds normally available each night in Multnomah County. The county listed five locations that would be open for the severe‑weather activation: Cook Plaza (19421 SE Stark St., Gresham; future site of the East County Homeless Resource Center), Hollywood Shelter (1815 NE 43rd Ave.), a provider‑run site at 600 NW 14th Ave., and county‑run shelters at Ascension Church (743 SE 70th Ave.) and Grand Oak (324 SE Grand Ave.).
Officials urged people experiencing homelessness to call 211 for transportation and shelter referrals and asked the public to share staff shift sign‑ups to ensure shelter coverage. The Chair said county and city partners were coordinating staffing and that volunteer signups and training were being posted for several days to ensure continuity if activation continues.
Ending: County staff said they will host an early‑morning planning call to determine whether to keep shelters open beyond the announced extension and will continue to update commissioners and the public through offices and social media.
