Multnomah County approves Harrison Community Village project plan with conditions after neighborhood concerns

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a FAC‑1 project plan to construct the Harrison Community Village, an alternative shelter at 1818 SE 80 Second that will include 38 sleeping pods and on‑site services, but the board adopted an amendment requiring the county and partners to secure a signed good‑neighbor agreement with provider commitments and to work with Portland Public Schools and the Portland Bureau of Transportation on a safe‑routes‑to‑school plan before the site opens.

The vote followed more than an hour of presentations by Joint Office of Homeless Services staff and extensive public testimony from nearby residents, school parents and neighborhood association leaders. Commissioner Lori Stegman moved the underlying resolution and Commissioner Myron seconded. Commissioner Bridal Edwards moved the amendment; Commissioner Myron seconded the amendment, which passed. In the final roll call on the project plan, the board adopted the measure; the record shows one commissioner voting no and the rest voting in favor.

The county described the site as a low‑barrier shelter intended to provide safety off the streets and wraparound services. Anna Plumb, deputy director of the Homeless Services Department, told the board that “low barrier does not mean no accountability. Low barrier shelter sites have policies and procedures, they have expectations for their guests, and they have agreements with…