PORTLAND, Ore. — UPDATE: For the latest on warming shelters in Multnomah County and around the region, click here.
With ice storm warnings in the forecast, warming shelters in Multnomah County will remain open through noon on Tuesday. However, the county is looking for volunteers to help keep the shelters open.
More than 1,130 people sought shelter Sunday night from freezing temperatures, the county said. Monday night, the county plans to increase shelter capacity to provide over 1,000 beds together with partner agencies.
Volunteers can sign up here and will need to complete a 30-minute "Bloodborne Pathogens" course.
On Friday, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency for the county, starting at 5 p.m. Friday through noon on Tuesday.
No one seeking shelter will be turned away, the county said. All shelters allow pets and are accessible to people with disabilities.
KGW crews spoke with some homeless people Monday who were still determined to try to survive outside and on their own, for fear of having their belongings stolen from their campsites if they went to a warming center. Niles, who has been homeless in Portland for seven years, used old shipping containers to build a fire and shield himself from the wind.
"It’s very difficult, very difficult, especially with the winds going in the evenings. It’s pretty brutal, you got to keep the fire going... what can you do, just got to take shelter and muscle through it, I guess," he said.
Across the river at Blanchet House in Old Town, staff spend Monday stocking up on supplies for people like Niles, and helped dozens of others find a warm place to wait out the weather.
"The people who are still on the street are in the most need," said Blanchet House spokesperson Julie Showers.
Blanchet House is looking for winter clothing donations, specifically large coats.
"The good news is we’re seeing fewer people come to our services, which we hope that means people are going to warming shelters," Showers said.
How to get transportation to a warming shelter
Fares will be free on TriMet during the winter storm for anyone trying to get to a warming shelter, county leaders said. All MAX service remains suspended due to storm damage, but TriMet said Monday that most bus lines are operating. Additionally, people can access information about shelter availability or transport to a shelter by calling 211.
Shelters open in the Portland metro area
For information about warming spaces open where you live, visit 211info.org.
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
These sites are open all day Monday and will remain open through at least 12 p.m. Tuesday:
- Salvation Army, 5325 North Williams Avenue, Portland
- Cook Plaza, 19421 Southeast Stark Street, Gresham
- Friendly House, 1737 Northwest 26th Avenue, Portland
- Ascension Church, 743 Southeast 76th Avenue, Portland
- Powell Shelter, 7332 Southeast Powell Boulevard, Portland
- Market Street Shelter, 120 Southeast Market Street, Portland
- Freedom Foursquare Church, 660 Southwest 160th Avenue, Portland
- Multnomah County East Building, 600 Northeast 8th Street, Gresham
- State of Oregon Building, 800 Northeast Oregon Street, Portland
- Imago Dei Church, 1302 Southeast Ankeny Street, Portland
- Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 North Foss Avenue, Portland
This site will open at 5:30 p.m. on Monday but will close at 7 a.m. Tuesday:
- Bud Clark Day Center, 665 Northwest Irving Street, Portland
Click here for more info about warming shelters in Multnomah County.
Click here to see a map of warming shelters in Multnomah County.
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
These sites will be open on Monday through Wednesday:
- Antfarm Estacada, 350 Southwest Zobrist Street, Estacada (Friday, Jan. 12 - Wednesday, Jan. 17. Intake and shuttle pickup is 3-5 p.m. daily)
- Antfarm Cafe and Backery, 39140 Proctor Boulevard, Sandy (Friday, Jan. 12 - Wednesday, Jan. 17. Intake and shuttle pickup is 3-5 p.m. daily)
Click here for more info about warming shelters in Clackamas County.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
These sites are open 24 hours a day until Tuesday:
- The Salvation Army Building, 1440 Southeast 21st Avenue, Hillsboro
- Beaverton Community Center, 12350 Southwest 5th Street, Beaverton
This site is open until Wednesday:
- Wingspan, 801 Northeast 34th Avenue, Hillsboro
Click here for more info about warming shelters in Washington County.
CLARK COUNTY
To access the shelters, call the Council for the Homeless Housing hotline at 360-695-9677 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays:
- St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 Northeast Gher Road, Vancouver
- St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin Street, Vancouver
- Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 12513 Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
- Immanuel Lutheran Church, 8310 MacArthur Boulevard, Vancouver
- River City Church, 2400 East Fourth Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
Click here for more info about warming shelters in Clark County.