New St. Johns homeless day center aims to provide ‘a better tomorrow’
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Joint Office of Homeless Services is expanding daytime services for homeless community members with the new St. Johns Day Center, Multnomah County announced Thursday.
The day center, which will be run by Do Good Multnomah, will provide drop-in day services — including shelter and housing referrals, meals, hygiene, and mailing address services.
St. Johns Day Center will be located in vacant retail space that’s part of the Multnomah County North Portland Health Center at 9000 North Lombard Street.
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According to the county, leaders started scoping out the site after local pastors advocated for a day center after losing a privately run space in the neighborhood.
“For years we have dreamed about having a place where people can get warm, wash their clothes, and connect with needed resources in our community. It is easy for most of us to take simple services like hot coffee, a shower, and clean clothes for granted, I really believe a day center like this has the power to restore dignity and give people hope for a better tomorrow,” said Josh Hawk, pastor at St. Johns Church.
“I am excited about the potential of what this center could produce in our community and am looking forward to partnering with Do Good and our County in offering real solutions to real people’s needs.”
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“I’m proud we responded to this call from the local faith community to create a new daytime space where people without shelter can come inside, find some respite and ultimately get connected to the services that will end their homelessness,” said Joint Office director Dan Field. “And because we’re making good use of our Supportive Housing Services funds, we’ll be able to expand day services not just in St. Johns but in other parts of the community, too. We need to grow every kind of solution this crisis demands.”
Slated to open in late this year, Multnomah County says the day center is part of a wider strategy to expand services and improve daytime resources.
“Typically, the path to permanent housing begins when someone enters a 24/7 shelter. But the St. Johns Day Center will offer a new kind of care for the unhoused residents of North Portland — one that brings support to individuals at an earlier stage of the housing journey, all while providing the basic needs of food and hygiene,” said Daniel Hovanas, Chief Executive Officer of Do Good Multnomah. “Do Good is very excited to collaborate with Multnomah County and the neighbors and business owners in St. Johns to care for these members of our community.”
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Officials said the center will also have a Good Neighbor Agreement with the community.
“I am grateful to former Commissioner Jayapal for starting the conversation with the St. Johns community about the location and for securing funding to make this center happen. We all want the best for ourselves, our families and our neighbors. But not having a roof over your head, an address or a place to shower would make it hard for any of us to get there,” said Commissioner Jesse Beason. “Until we have a safe, decent home for everyone, the day center is an important place where people can grab a cup of coffee, connect with a case manager, do some laundry and make plans for their future.”
The day center is among several investments approved by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners in 2023 to create or expand day center services due to increased demand and in anticipation of the City of Portland’s 2023 camping regulations that were placed on hold by the courts.
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Commissioners also voted to allocate unanticipated revenue from the Metro Supportive Housing Services Measure for a range of services – including adding shelter capacity, additional recovery housing, and new sobriety and stabilization services.
Officials said the Joint Office will invest about $500,000 in capital expenses, and about $290,000 for services and operations, as part of the $3.3 million allocated for expanded day services.
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