North Portland Neighborhood ServicesNEWSLETTERJune 2024

NEWS & EVENTS

North, Northeast and East Neighborhoods Merge to Form District 2Beginning July 1, 2024 North Portland will integrate into District 2. Northeast Coalition of Neighbors will be the Neighborhood Program Service Provider for District 2.  Learn More

PNA Monthly SocialJoin your Portsmouth neighbors every second Saturday at the Chill n Fill for a neighborhood social. No set agenda, just casual conversation (no purchase required). Dogs and kids welcome!  Check PNA’s Instagram for updates.

NE Cully Sunday ParkwaysExplore the east end of District 2 while celebrating Father’s Day during the Northeast Cully Portland Sunday Parkways event. Bike, walk, or roll as you explore the neighborhood

greenways, parks, community booths and live entertainment.  July 16, 11 am – 4 pm.  Learn More

8 SecondsJuneteenth RodeoA lot can happen in 8 seconds. A champion can be crowned. A bull can take his revenge. And an entire community can come together. This Juneteenth Weekend, come celebrate the cowboys of today and the legacy of Black rodeo. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, June 16, doors 3 pm, show 7 pm. This event is sponsored by Civic Life  Learn More

Give Your Goods Another UseDo Good Multnomah is partnering with Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association to collect gently used housewares and furniture to support individuals moving from shelters into permanent housing. Drop off donations at Peace Lutheran Church, 2201 N Rosa Parks Way on June 22 from 10 am – 1 pm. Arbor Loge Shelter Grand Opening EventJoin Multnomah County Leaders, Do Good Multnomah, Arbor Lodge and Kenton Neighborhood Associations, and others in celebration of the Grand Opening of the Arbor Lodge

Shelter. 1952 N. Lombard St.  Wednesday, June 26 from 4 – 6 pm.  Learn More

Party On, Portland (POP)Register your party to gain access to City and County resources, apply for a block party or parks permit, and to ensure you can get all the benefits that may be offered by being an official registered event. The Safe Blocks Program is responsible for supporting the registration process and connecting resource providers (like Portland Fire & Rescue, 311, Park Rangers, etc.) to your event. YOU are the party planner, but POP will help you through the process and connect you to the people that can

help you build safer blocks, one party at a time! Events are happening between August 1 and August 14. Learn more

Safe Blocks SurveyThe Safe Blocks Program wants to hear from you! They are interested in your opinions and feelings about safety in your neighborhood. Everyone who complete the survey will be entered to win a $100 gift card.

Get Ready to Rank Your Vote, Portland!On Nov. 5, 2024, Portlanders will be using ranked-choice voting to elect a mayor, an auditor, and three city councilors to represent their district.

To help you be election ready, Civic Life is teaming up with the City of Portland’s voter education team to put on a mock election to practice ranking your vote.  We want to know – what kind of neighborhood events do you want to attend?  With this vote, we’ll see how multi-winner ranked-choice voting works, as this method will be used to elect three city councilors within each district. City councilors will be elected only by Portland voters who live in their districts.  Rank My Vote!

Neighborhood Farmers Markets

Kenton Farmers MarketWednesdays, June 5 – September 253 – 7 pmKing Farmers MarketSundays, May 5 – November 2410 am – 2 pmCully Farmers MarketThursdays, June 6 – August 294 – 8 pmSt. Johns Farmers MarketSaturdays, May 4 – November 2310 am – 2 pmHollywood Farmers MarketSaturdays, April 6 – October 268 am – 1 pm Woodlawn Farmers MarketSaturdays, June 1 – October 2610 am – 2 pm

Resources

New! Portland Permitting & Development Starting July 1, Portlanders who need most types of residential and commercial permits will have a single destination; Portland Permitting & Development. The new bureau brings together staff from the longstanding Bureau of Development Services with work teams from the Parks & Recreation, Transportation, Water and

Environmental Services bureaus. In all, Portland Permitting & Development will have about 350 employees. Learn more

Civic Life’s FY 2023-24 Spring BMP Update Spring Budget Monitoring Process (BMP) is historically made up of carryovers, setting aside funding for future use, and using small amounts funds that remain within the current

fiscal year budget to make relatively minor programmatic changes. This year Mayor’s guidance included:Program Carryover Requests limited to known, one-time projects funded in the current fiscal year, where the bureau does not expect to complete the project or encumber funds before June 30, 2024. Bureaus should not submit carryover requests for any programs that have ongoing funding.No New Resource Requests.Returns to the General Fund. Bureaus were directed to return all unspent and unappropriated resources to the General Fund. At the beginning of 2024, Civic Life was in the process of recruiting for vacant positions to support bureau-wide programming and the government transition when the bureau was directed by City leadership to freeze all recruitment efforts. This resulted in accumulated unspent personnel resources which must be returned to the General Fund. Civic Life’s FY 2023-24 Spring BMP submission included:$200,000 in requested Program Carryovers$150,000 DCO District Transition Support for Insurance – Approved.$50,000 Civic Life’s Community Engagement Plan – Not Supported.$770,539 in unspent resources return to General Fund$150,539 EM&S carryover from previous year.$620,000 current fiscal year personnel savings. After completing the Spring BMP process following the Mayor’s direction, Civic Life’s returned a total of $700,539 to the General Fund. This amount is 7 times higher than the next 3 highest returns from other bureaus. The total citywide return amounted to $1,199,539 from 6 bureaus, making Civic Life’s contribution 64% of this return. The bureau’s budget equates to about 0.01% of the City’s total budget.

Income-Qualified Utility Savings PGE’s Income Qualified Bill Discount Program offers a monthly discount off energy use. Eligibility is based on household and income. Learn More

Multnomah’ County Weatherization Program can reduce energy bills and improve indoor air quality. Free service are available for people with limited incomes. Learn MoreThe City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services and the Water Bureau offer several financial assistance programs  to income-qualified homeowners. Learn MorePacific Power Medial Certificate Program helps customers prepare for emergencies and potential power outages by offering qualified customers extra notifications during Public Safety Power Shutoff events as well as a rebate up to $4,000 on the purchase of a battery or portable power station. Learn More

Update your Neighborhood Association ContactsIs your neighborhood association contact information up-to-date?

Keeping our database current helps us maintain effective communication, ensuring timely updates, event invitations, and important announcements. Thank you for helping us keep our neighborhood association contacts accurate and relevant! Update Contacts

North Portland Events CalendarThe North Portland Events Calendar, coordinated by Kevin Micalizzi of Arbor Lodge, is a centralized Google Calendar aimed to boost community engagement by showcasing and

coordinating events from various neighborhood associations. Become an editor to add your events. For invitations, email Kevin at kevin@arborlodgeneigborhood.com. Let’s make our events shine together! Thank you, Kevin, for this fantastic initiative! View Events Calendar

Zoning & Land UseView public notices for North Portland

Portland COAD The Portland Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a network of community organizations that prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters like heatwaves, winter weather and

earthquakes. Many COAD partners are a trusted source of information for their communities and are providing lifeline services every week. Virtual meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month from 3-4 pm. Sign up for the COAD Bulletin to get the link.

PSACPublic Safety Action Committee (PSAC) is a monthly meeting held to address local North Portland resident and business concerns related to public safety and livability issues. Virtual

meetings are held the third Thursday of the month from 7-8:30 pm. Subscribe to mailing list to get link.

Interested in Hosting a Candidate Forum? Get the step-by-step Nonprofit’s guide to planning, publicizing and hosting a candidate forum.

Beyond North PortlandWant to stay up to date with other parts of the City and Civic Life? Click on the links to subscribe to East Portland Community Office Newsletter, Southwest Portland Newsletter, and

the Office of Community and Civic Life Newsletter.

Neighborhood Association Resources Board Member Resources from Southeast Uplift. File your annual financial report: Department of Justice websiteRegister or renew your non-profit corporation: Secretary of State website

Neighborhood Association Meetings

2024 meeting schedules for all Neighborhood Associations have been posted to the Civic Life website which satisfies Public Meeting Notice requirements of Neighborhood Association Bylaws, Civic Life Standards for Neighborhood Associations and Oregon Statutes Chapter 65 – Nonprofit Corporations. Your help in maintaining a current and useful Neighborhood Program website is appreciated. Please use the link found on your neighborhood page to submit a request to add or update your neighborhood association meeting(s) to the City Events Calendar.

Confirm scheduled meetings, locations, and instructions to join virtual meetings by clicking on the neighborhood

Arbor LodgeThursday, June 20, 7 pmOverlook Monday, June 10, 6:30 pm

BridgetonTuesday, June 11, 6:30 pm (Board Meeting)PiedmontThursday, June 20, 7 pm

Cathedral Park Tuesday,  June 11, 7 pm PortsmouthMonday, June 10, 5:30 pm (Board Meeting)

East ColumbiaWednesday, August 14, 7 pmSt. JohnsMonday, June 10 , 7 pm

Hayden IslandThursday, June 13, 7 pmUniversity Park Monday, June 10, 7 pm (Board Meeting)

Kenton Wednesday, June 12, 7 pm (Board Meeting)

For June 4, 2024 Joint Transportation Committee public hearing in Portland.

Give public comment! See below.

We must have money from the state legislature to secure our emergency routes! On June 4, the legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee is holding a hearing in Portland at PCC Cascade. They are planning a BIG transportation package for the next session, which starts in January. This is a great opportunity to make them aware of our situation! Please attend!! Or, at least submit a comment.  Info below.

2023-2024 Interim Joint Committee On Transportation

Meeting Details 06/04/2024 12:00 PM, Offsite

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1/Committees/JCT/2024-06-04-12-00/Agenda

Portland Community College Cascade Campus Moriarty Auditorium 705 N Killingsworth Street Portland

Field Trip

(12:00 – 2:00 PM) ODOT-Hosted Tour of Metro Area Transportation Facilities*

·         (2:30 – 4:30 PM) Roundtable Discussion with Members of Region 1 Area Commission on Transportation, Jurisdictional Leaders, Business Representatives, and Topic Area Experts*
*Note: Persons wishing to attend either the roundtable or tour should contact committee staff in advance. Patrick Brennan patrick.h.brennan@oregonlegislature.gov  or

Beverly Schoonover  beverly.schoonover@oregonlegislature.gov

·         Public Hearing

(5:10 – 7:00 PM) Public Comment
Register to give public comment:
– Register in person at the location noted at the top of the agenda. Registration will open 30 minutes ahead of meeting start time.

Register to give remote public comment:
–Time permitting, the Chairs will allow for remote public comment, please register at
https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0VD3RG48wn2Ueb4.

Submit written public comment:
–Email: JCT.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov.
–Mail: Joint Committee on Transportation
900 Court Street NE, Room 453, Salem, OR, 97301

-Written comment may be submitted up to 48 hours after the meeting start time.

For information on Language Access Services/Para más información sobre los Servicios de Acceso Lingüístico:
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lpro/Pages/language-access.aspx
To access links to a livestream or recordings of legislative meetings:
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Pages/Legislative-Video.aspx

Key points:

When the Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake hits, 30,000 people and businesses on the north peninsula of Portland will be radically impacted as our officially designated “emergency routes” routes in/out of Portland proper – indeed, our routes in/out of anywhere will disappear, unless we rebuild two railroad bridges and secure a tunnel section. Both of these routes are also key freight corridors for Portland and the region.

We need help from the 2025 Oregon State Legislature. Specifically:

1. A feasibility study of the of the Columbia Blvd bridges over the cut has been conducted and PBOT is ready to apply for a grant as soon as they have the “match” funds. The PBOT budget cannot handle the amount needed, approximately 20% of the estimated $57 million required for the rebuild. We need the match money!

2. The other emergency route is Lombard and it needs, first, persuasion by elected officials for the heads of PBOT, ODOT and representatives from BNSF to collaborate on solutions. We assume this collaboration will take staff time and, thus, financing. Additionally, a feasibility study needs to be undertaken and that requires funding.

You can subscribe to receive updates from the Joint Committee on Transportation here: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023I1/Committees/JCT/Overview   

To stay up-to-date:

St Johns / North Peninsula Emergency Route facebook.com/groups/nopoemergencyroute And/or Email List: NoPoEmergencyRoute@gmail.com Put Emergency Route in Subject: and name/contact info in message

Donna L Cohen, MLIS, MEd

Portland, Oregon

503-333-2646

dcoheninfo@comcast.net

Civics for Adults – and Others – Workshops: To Enhance Civic Knowledge and Inspire Political Engagement

Webpage www.civicthinker.info

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036/

“My philosophy is very simple. When you see something that is not fair, not right, not just – stand up, say something, speak up!” Rep. John Lewis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6lzPpqc2WY

Portland Friends, Please help me with this special request:

I only need 63 more volunteers to be able to secure our parade volunteer requirements so really appreciate your help! If you have the time, please consider signing up for one shift or share this call for Parade Guide volunteers.

The Rose Festival’s biggest need is for Parade Guides who help welcome people and monitor the parade routes for all Rose Festival Parades: CareOregon Starlight Parade (June 1), Fred Meyer Junior Parade (June 5), and Grand Floral Parade (June 8).  Register here: https://pbem.link/rosefestival.

Parade Guides – Sign up to be at the heart of Portland’s biggest celebration!Portland Rose Festival is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help support the parade and ensure safety of participants and spectators. Parade Guide volunteers will help act as the “eyes and ears” around the parade route. People who volunteer the day of the parade, they will receive community service hours, a ticket into CityFair, four reserved seats at the Grand Floral Parade, and a t-shirt! Register with your name and email with our partner, Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM). Error! Filename not specified.

Sincere gratitude,

Bridget Bayer, Volunteer Manager

Portland Rose Festival 
Register to Volunteer

Our shelter programs at the City of Portland are growing and evolving and we have so much to share!  Read all about it in this issue:

• Stories Matter! That’s why we’re launching a new blog!
• Video: “Why Tiny Home Villages?”
• From Homelessness to Housing – our Data Dashboard tells the story
• Resource Fair Brings Support, Services, and Success
• Highlighting our Partners at 311 & the City Outreach Team
• Our Program (and shelter capacity!) continues to expand

Today we are launching our new Streets to Stability blog, where you’ll find compelling stories of current and former shelter guests, highlights about site staff and community events, and insightful articles breaking down complex homeless services topics. While our program is data-driven, focusing on metrics and outcomes to improve our operations, it is the unique and deeply personal journeys of the individuals our shelters serve that truly define our success. Every data point represents the varied, complex backgrounds of people whose stories are often filled with trauma, disappointments, and setbacks, but also resilience, hope, and transformation. Dive into our first blog post featuring Jessica, a young woman who transitioned from one of our shelters into stable housing after over a decade of living unsheltered.

66 Days – Charlene’s Story

On January 9, 2024, Charlene awoke in her tiny home pod at Clinton Triangle surrounded by blurred faces.

Charlene’s friend, another guest at the shelter, held her body as she gained consciousness.

Charlene, 49, learned that she’d overdosed after injecting a “shot of clear” (Methamphetamine) that was, unknown to her, tainted with Fentanyl. Urban Alchemy staff acted quickly after finding Charlene, lifeless and blue, inside her pod during a routine wellness check. It took six rounds of Narcan and chest compressions to revive Charlene.

During the March 14^th Resource Fair at Clinton Triangle, Charlene was proud to say she hasn’t used since.

“You really can’t hit rock bottom much more than that,” Charlene said. “I don’t want to die. It’s been 66 days.”  

Charlene put herself into outpatient treatment and attends appointments three times per week, always being sure to ask for a copy of her Urine Analysis, eager to show the “negative” results to her care coordinators at Clinton Triangle.

Charlene’s substance use, exacerbated by trauma and mental health challenges, was a factor in the circumstances that led her to unsheltered homelessness nearly 20 years ago, when she entered a cycle of recovery and relapse.

In July 2023, while out at 122^nd & Burnside collecting cans for redemption (her sole source of income to support the debilitating addiction), Charlene was contacted by an outreach worker. There was a space available at the new alternative outdoor shelter across town, Clinton Triangle. She took up the opportunity.

Since moving into the village, in addition to the safe environment allowing her to take the next steps in recovery, Charlene has acquired an Oregon ID and Social Security card, a common barrier for those experiencing chronic homeless to access basic services. At the Clinton Triangle Resource Fair, she signed up for Goodwill’s Job Connection program, which will help her prepare in searching for employment. Her next step: housing.

Charlene also adopted a dog, Charlie, who is registered as an Emotional Support Animal. The Border Collie mix is now pregnant, expecting puppies in April.

Story shared with permission, based on interview from March 14, 2024.

Note: as of this newsletter publishing (5/24/24), Charlene has been sober for more than 130 days and is approved to move into her new apartment in mid-June. Charlene’s also expected to start working a job with Central City Concern soon. In late April, her dog, Charlie, gave birth to 12 puppies; they will be up for adoption through the Oregon Humane Society in the coming weeks.

Video – Why Tiny Home Villages? Our Tiny Home Villages with services are regularly at capacity, and we’ve heard from outreach workers that they’re in high demand among those experiencing homelessness. We asked staff and guests why this model works. Here’s what they said, in their own words. We put this video together last year with our partners at local production company KLiK Concepts for the 2023 annual report to Portland City Council. Check it out.

From Homelessness to Housing! 

Portland State University’s recent study revealed that village-style shelters are more effective at transitioning residents into permanent housing compared to congregate shelters, and our updated Shelter Services Data Dashboard corroborates these findings. Eight out of our nine sites follow this low-barrier village model, with tiny home pods and wraparound services on site. Our model is one among many. We recognize that all shelter types are incredibly vital to the network of care, as different approaches offer varying opportunities to fit the diverse needs of the homeless population.

Our dashboard presents the latest data from the 21-month period our program has been active (7/1/22 – 3/31/24). This includes the timeframe when partnerships with the State and Multnomah County, through Oregon All In and Housing Multnomah Now funds, expedited housing placements in early 2024.

Resource Fair Brings Support, Services, and Success

Portland’s City Outreach Team Director, Kim James, along with members of the Street Services Coordination Center and Urban Alchemy staff, organized a Resource Fair, hosted on Gideon Street outside Clinton Triangle on March 14, 2024. As Portland’s fickle Spring weather turned in their favor, the gloriously sunny afternoon felt like a block party with the grill smoking, staff dancing to music from speakers and dozens of dogs frolicking about.

More than a dozen service providers and low-barrier employers set up booths, including Rapid Response, Transition Projects, Clean & Safe, Goodwill, Worksource Oregon, Mainspring Pantry, Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon, and Cascadia Health.

Guests at Clinton Triangle, along with those at two other Urban Alchemy-run shelters, Peninsula Crossing and Reedway, were invited to interact with service providers, access services and sign up for employment opportunities.

“This was a team effort that came together as part of ongoing service provision and in response to requests made by those soon to be housed seeking supports around employment and self-sufficiency as they move forward in their individual journeys,” said Kim James. “We appreciate the opportunity to continue thinking “outside of the box” as we create opportunities for those folks we are serving!”

Update: Since the resource fair, 26 people have found employment through Goodwill Industries.

Partnership Expands Access to City Outreach Workers

PDX 311, the first point of contact for the City of Portland and Multnomah County, helps people connect to local government and can assist in connecting to a city outreach worker. Call 3-1-1 or 503-823-4000, or fill out a form online to request assistance from a city outreach worker.

Growing Our System

Given the urgent need, and the continued interest in our tiny home village with services model, the City and County are expanding our system to meet the need. In alignment with the Homeless Response Action Plan, we are expanding two shelters in the City’s system, as well as building another. By the end of the year, we will be able to accommodate 1,000 people on any given night. See the chart below for details.

Our System – by the Numbers

Multnomah and Reedway Expansions Underway Acting on the urgency of our homelessness crisis, and after discussion about how to expand sites in a way that would best work for neighboring communities, the City is moving forward with site expansion at two existing shelters. Reedway in Southeast Portland and Multnomah in Southwest Portland. Both sites were identified as having extra space on the properties where development was possible. Phase one of the expansion project at Multnomah – moving the current 23 guests to new units – has been completed successfully as of this newsletter publishing (5/24/24). The site will expand from 28 to 100 units, utilizing a section of the property next to the Sears Armory building, which will serve as offices for the site operator, All Good NW, and a community center for guests to connect with service providers. At Reedway, construction should begin shortly, with the permit expected soon. It will double its capacity, from 60 shelter pods to 120.

Coming Soon: City’s 10th Shelter Site We’re excited to announce that the City’s Shelter Services program is in the process of developing our 10th shelter, which will be our N. Portland Road Shelter, in North Portland. Once open it will accommodate up to 200 people who are seeking a safe space to transition from the streets to stability and, ultimately, permanent housing. Earlier this month, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality approved the City’s plans to safely develop the property at 10505 N. Portland Rd. while preventing human and environmental exposure. Since then, we’ve begun site construction of the shelter on a six-acre portion of the 22-acre lot owned by the Bureau of Environmental Services. It will include 90 tiny home pods, and 70 parking spaces for RVs. Urban Alchemy will be the site operator. (Image: Three of the septic tanks needed to service the restroom / shower structures are in place.)

Click here to subscribe to future issues of this digital newsletter.

E-mail: shelterservices@portlandoregon.gov
Phone: 503-823-1340

Portland’s Development Review Advisory Committee (DRAC) has a Member vacancy for the Neighborhood Coalition Land Use Committees position. DRAC is a citizen advisory body, representing those with interests in the outcome of policies, budgets, regulations, and procedures that affect development review processes.

More information and contact information can be found here:

https://www.portland.gov/bds/drac/drac-members

https://www.portland.gov/bds/drac

Please contact Ross Caron, Development Services, Ross.Caron@portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-8871, if you are interested in learning more about the vacancy.