After $10 million renovation, Arbor Lodge shelter reopens with over 100 beds

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A North Portland homeless shelter that closed for renovations last spring can now shelter more than 100 people who are in the process of making their way out of homelessness.

The Arbor Lodge Shelter, which used to be a Rite Aid along Lombard Street, now has more beds, more privacy, and more plans to bring people off the streets and into more permanent housing.

"Folks that are living on the streets right here in the community will now have a place to come, seek shelter, and get services," said Terrance Moses, chair of the Kenton Neighborhood Association. "North Portland is that forgotten child. We often get looked over and last to get anything done in any kind of activation here. So to be able to have this facility here means that we're finally in the step of finally being noticed."

After $10 million was spent on renovations, there will be 106 beds, eight toilets, eight showers, plus a kitchen and laundry room. The shelter will also partner with "Do Good Multnomah," which focuses on housing veterans in the Portland area.

"It's transitional, so they'll have a case manager, they'll work with 'Do Good' as an organization and their case manager provided to get back on their feet," said Sean Rotbergs, the program manager at Arbor Lodge.

While many unhoused people may feel uneasy about coming to shelters, often because of the fear of being turned away, Rotbergs says the Arbor Lodge shelter is different through intentionality.

"As far as coming into this program, I don't think anyone is going to see this as a big scary challenge, or as a barrier or as a program that's denying them simply because there's an overwhelming number of folks that we have to serve," Rotbergs said.

Neighbors at the reopening say they're looking forward to how the shelter could change the community.

"I think if we can really have shelters like this, that have wrap-around services, including mental health, and the recovery health services, it can really change those perceptions and can really help change those dynamics," said Laura Streib.

The long-term goal of Arbor Lodge is to add 1,000 shelter units by the end of next year.