Petition filed to keep planned Rockwood homeless shelter away from Davis Elementary

Rockwood neighbors have begun a petition to relocate a proposed homeless services center that is to be built a few blocks from an elementary school and across the street from a youth services program.

Multnomah County announced it would rebrand and remodel the Cook Plaza Building, 19431 S.E. Stark St., into the East County Homelessness Resource Center. It would create hub for both drop-in day services and a 24/7 shelter, with the ability to continue serving as a warming and colling center.

That announcement has left some members of the community frustrated, spurring the pushback against the development. They are worried the homelessness center will lead to students at Davis Elementary School, less than a quarter mile from Cook Plaza, and the youths who attend programs across the street at the Salvation Army, to face harassment and threats of violence.

“While we recognize the importance of providing resources for the houseless community, we have serious safety concerns,” wrote Rockwood Families PDX, the group that has begun a petition against the project. “Children walk along this street to school every day.”

There is precedent to their concerns. When a nearby church bolstered its services for homeless people, neighbors say there were a rash of incidents. Children, ages 5 to 10, on their way to school and the adjacent Davis Park, faced enough dangerous interactions that the church ultimately canceled the program.

Detractors of the project say the neighborhood was intentionally left in the dark about the plans. In the past projects like this, such as within the Montavilla neighborhood in Southeast Portland, had canvassing before approval was sought for a homeless resource center. Rockwood Families PDX say that was not done in this time around.

The building is a former State of Oregon employment office that was purchased by the county in December 2022. The planned $8.4 million remodel, which is scheduled to begin next spring, will include:

A day center, with hygiene services, case management, and housing navigation28 personal shelter pods in an adjoining lot, with 24/7 village-style shelter for up to 42 people90 beds for use during weather emergencies8 new restrooms, including 7 shower spacesLaundry facilities, a kitchen and kitchenette, common spaces and officesUpdates to the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systemsNew roof and entrance for the day centerGreen space and covered outdoor community area, with privacy fencing

Sign the petition online at tinyurl.com/462d5wun

Learn more about the efforts to relocate the Homeless Resource Center by following @rockwoodfamiliespdx on Instagram.