CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — Clackamas County is eyeing a Quality Inn near Interstate 205 and Sunnyside Road to transform it into 100 units of transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness. The county wants to take advantage of state money in a "project turnkey grant" to buy the inn.
The proposal is up to Clackamas County Commissioners, who will vote for or against it on Thursday, Feb. 16. Commissioner Ben West said he is against it in a tweet, the others have not commented on their decision yet.
This would be the first time Clackamas County has transformed a hotel into transitional housing. Other cities, including Portland, have done this.
Clackamas County Deputy Director of Health, Housing and Human services Adam Brown hopes a majority of the five-member board vote yes.
“My message to them is let's make a historic investment in transitional housing so we can get people off the streets to get them a safe secure stable place to sleep and get them access to the services that they need to recover and get on to permanent housing,” said Brown.
The hotel is located near transportation and services, including the county's Sunnyside Health Clinic. Kaiser Permanente’s Sunnyside Medical Center is across the street; it and other businesses and organizations favor the plan.
Map shows the area and businesses surrounding the Quality Inn & Suites
But not all in a nearby strip mall of businesses agree with it, including one business owner KGW talked to off camera. Another woman who was in the area for lunch feels Oregon has become a draw for homeless folks from elsewhere.
“Nope, they need to go back to their homes, you know, we've got way too many and it's just getting worse,” said a woman who wanted to be identified by only her first name of Jeanie.
But another resident said he sees the value in the first of its kind transitional housing in Clackamas County.
“I think it's a good idea, it gets people off the street and to have a place to go so that they can transition back in and get back out in society and make things work again,” said Mike Valdrow.
At the hotel, KGW found out some guests are already staying long-term through voucher programs, including Lori White, who came out of a hospital stay needing a new place to live.
She said homeless folks are transitioning there, too.
“But I think a lot of these people are like me, we need help and are going to use it well. I think they deserve to feel safe and get the help they need, so to make it 100% that [transitional housing] with a couple adjustments, I think it's a great idea,” said White.
As for Brown, he knows people have concerns about homelessness and what comes with it for communities.
“And I say to them, this is a the solution to that problem: well-structured transitional housing that can give people access to those services is exactly wat we need more of in our community to address those existing issues.”