Where will hundreds of unsheltered residents go when freezing temperatures hit Salem?

Whitney Woodworth, Salem Statesman Journal
·3 min read
People form a line into Salem First Presbyterian Church where cots are set up in 2019. Warming centers are open when temperatures fall under 32 degrees.
People form a line into Salem First Presbyterian Church where cots are set up in 2019. Warming centers are open when temperatures fall under 32 degrees.

When overnight lows reach freezing in Salem, providers are hoping to have 150 beds available this winter at warming shelters for those seeking shelter from the cold, rain and snow.

The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency leads the warming center initiative in Salem and will open warming centers through March 31 when the temperature reaches 32 degrees or below.

Shelters also can be activated when area waterways reach flood stages and during inclement weather like ice, high winds and snow.

This year, free transportation is available from Cherriots for both guests and volunteers at the shelters.

The co-ed centers are open between 7 p.m. and 6:45 a.m. and are considered low-barrier shelters, which means it minimizes requirements, like sobriety and paperwork needed for shelter. Service animals and pets are allowed. Sleeping mats and warm beverages like coffee, tea and broth are provided for guests.

ARCHES Project program director Ashley Hamilton said the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency will operate two temperature-activated warming shelters at Salem First Presbyterian Church at 770 Chemeketa St. NE, and South Salem Friends Church at 1140 Baxter Road SE.

The warming shelter at South Salem Friends Church in 2019.
The warming shelter at South Salem Friends Church in 2019.

Work also is underway to open two additional warming centers in December, but the locations have yet to be solidified.

Hamilton said the agency's goal is to provide 150 beds per inclement weather activation.

City officials also say more sheltering options are available than in recent years.

With the opening of a MWVCAA-operated transitional housing at a former motel, the expansion of the Union Gospel Mission's Salem shelter, the opening of new micro shelter sites and the expansion of an existing site at the city-owned property on Portland Road, the number of shelter beds will have grown by 389 from July to December.

Two duration shelters — meaning they do not require freezing or inclement weather to open — also are planned, said city homelessness liaison Gretchen Bennett.

Church at the Park, a faith-based area non-profit operating two micro-shelter sites in north Salem, activated a warming center at the indoor portion of the 2640 Portland Road NE location. They also anticipate activating the indoor portion of 3737 Portland Road NE shortly for the duration of the cold season.

The two sites could shelter a total of 85 people indoors.

Have $5,000?: Salem volunteers seek funding for micro-shelters for homeless

Through fundraising, community members have collected donations for more than 100 more micro-shelters in Salem. City officials are currently searching for locations to host these small sites, which will first prioritize seniors and women.

City officials have said it is their goal to have a micro-shelter site in every ward in the city.

A proposed site in West Salem received pushback from neighbors and was scrapped due to flooding concerns. Another site considered in South Salem on 13th and Rural turned out to be viable for the city to purchase.

Related: West Salem neighborhoods push back against micro shelter site for homeless

About 130 people remain on a waitlist for safe, legal spots to park their vehicles. City leaders are seeking to partner with those owning parking lots to provide Safe Park sites.

Nonprofit staff support, a parking host, port-a-potties, liability insurance provisions and compensation for garbage disposal will be provided to those able to provide parking lot space. Each spot can have up to eight parkers, but four to six spaces are ideal per location, city officials said.

For more information, those interested can contact Jared Garson, intern to council president Chris Hoy, at jqgarson@willamette.edu.

Those wanting to volunteer for the Salem Warming Network can learn more at salemwarming.weebly.com.

Stay up-to-date on developments with homelessness in Salem by signing up for city updates online.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem-area shelters open to homeless during freezing temperatures