Multnomah County approves Harrison Community Village project after requiring signed Good Neighbor Agreement and school safety steps

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted to advance construction of the Harrison Community Village alternative shelter, a 38‑unit low‑barrier site at 1818 Southeast 82nd Avenue, after attaching stronger community safeguards to the project.

Board members approved the FAC‑1 project plan on a 4‑1 roll call. Commissioner Myron recorded the lone No vote; Commissioners Singleton, Bridal Edwards, Stegman and Chair Vega Peterson voted Yes. Before taking the final vote the board unanimously adopted an amendment requiring county staff, the selected provider and neighborhood partners to negotiate a signed Good Neighbor Agreement that includes specific provider commitments, and to work with the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Public Schools on a Safe Routes to School plan and direct engagement with nearby schools prior to site opening.

County staff described the site as a low‑barrier, trauma‑informed shelter intended to provide 38 individual sleeping pods, 8 ADA units, on‑site case management and support services. Presenters said the county acquired the property in December 2022, plans to demolish an existing building, and will use modular support units for bathrooms, laundry and offices. Staff presented a project budget of approximately $4.1 million, with construction estimated at a little over $1.8 million, pods and equipment costs cited at roughly $684,000, and contingency/soft costs making up the balance. The schedule shared with the board targets permitting in early 2025, contractor selection by July and completion in December 2025.

Residents and neighborhood advocates provided mixed testimony. Opponents raised concerns about short public notice, the number of shelter sites already on SE 82nd, proximity to Harrison Park Middle and Bridger school routes, and the project’s cost‑effectiveness. One commenter asserted a high per‑unit capital cost and urged delay to weigh alternatives. Supporters, including a street chaplain who has worked in Montavilla, urged rapid deployment and said similar small sites have successfully served neighbors when paired with engaged community partners.

Joint Office staff and county directors told the board they will continue intensive community engagement, that a recent December 5 community meeting drew more than 60 attendees and that a mailer was distributed to roughly 628 addresses in the immediate outreach area. Staff also described existing and planned elements of the Good Neighbor Agreement model used on recent projects — including a community advisory committee, reporting and an escalation pathway for neighborhood concerns — and committed to post meeting materials that document how community feedback is addressed.

The added amendment makes the Good Neighbor Agreement and school safety planning explicit prerequisites for site opening rather than post‑opening promises. County leaders said the protections make the project workable for both residents and neighbors and pledged ongoing transparency about design changes, provider expectations and monitoring metrics once a provider is selected.

The board’s action allows the county to proceed with project plan tasks necessary to meet the project timeline while binding additional neighborhood engagement and safety steps to the site’s opening.

What happens next: The amendment requires staff to pursue a signed Good Neighbor Agreement and coordinate with PBOT and Portland Public Schools on safe routes and school engagement before the shelter opens. County staff committed to return with follow‑up information and to track data sources chosen in Good Neighbor Agreements to monitor neighborhood impacts.