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Emergency Shelter Programs

Shelter and access center programs act as the “front door” of our homeless system of care. They provide emergency services including hygiene, nutrition, and safe sleep, while also helping to connect families and individuals to housing.

Severe Weather Shelters 

Overnight severe weather shelters will close Thursday, August 17 at 10 a.m.

These beds supplement the Washington County emergency shelter program, which currently offers 426 beds/rooms to meet a variety of household needs including families with children, veterans, youth, and medically fragile individuals.

Meals are provided for guests, no one will be turned away, and pets are welcome (be prepared to work with shelter staff as individual pet procedures may vary by location).

For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, if you see someone you are concerned about, call the police non-emergency number at 503-629-0111 and request a welfare check.

Emergency Shelter program

Shelter and access center programs act as the “front door” of our homeless system of care. They provide emergency services including hygiene, nutrition, and safe sleep, while also helping to connect families and individuals to housing, employment and supportive case management.

There are several shelter models:

  • Bridge shelters: private shelter rooms for families and people with disabling conditions
  • Congregate shelters: emergency shelter with shared living and sleeping accommodations
  • Alternative shelters: such as safe rest pods or pallet homes
  • Youth shelters: for unaccompanied youth under 18
  • Winter and Severe Weather Shelters: added emergency shelter capacity during winter and weather events

See map below of existing and future shelters in Washington County.

Washington County shelter map

To access emergency shelters please contact Community Connect at 503-640-3263 or work with your case manager at one of these partner organizations.