PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A new 40-bed homeless shelter planned for the Pearl District brought about 200 people to a public meeting to voice their concerns about crime and drug use.
Despite getting a tour of the proposed shelter site around Northwest Northrup, area residents packed the Lucky Labrador on NW Quimby to make their thoughts known even though, they said, city leaders aren’t interested in their input.
Mayor Keith Wilson was invited to this meeting but “respectfully declined,” his office told KOIN 6 News. But Wilson’s team also said they’ve been in almost daily communication with some of the neighbors for this proposed shelter, providing information and trying to set up meetings.
Neighbors distressed over planned homeless shelter in Portland’s Pearl District
The shelter will expand from 40 beds to 200 beds by the end of the year. It’s part of the broader city initiative to help nearly 600 unsheltered Portlanders off the streets in the Northwest and Pearl District…