Advocates for a planned Rockwood homeless resources center, which has been the focus of some community concerns and petition, have shared more about the ways to ensure the building can uplift the homeless community while maintaining neighborhood livability.
The East County Homelessness Resource Center, 19431 S.E. Stark St., will rebrand and remodel the Cook Plaza Building into a hub for both drop-in day service and a 24/7 shelter. 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, set to begin next spring and be completed in early 2026, 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 emergenciesEight new restrooms, including seven 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
The concerns from neighbors, and a petition made by Rockwood Families PDX seeking to relocate the center to a different neighborhood, center on the proximity to nearby Davis Elementary School. In the past a church in the neighborhood instituted some homeless resources, but the level of demand led to difficulties. Some of the homeless individuals began harassing and threatening students walking to class. Eventually that all was shuttered.
Some neighbors say the Homeless Resource Center will reignite the student safety concerns.
“While we recognize the importance of providing resources for the houseless community, we have serious safety concerns,” wrote Rockwood Families PDX. “Children walk along this street to school every day.”
But there are differences that set this project apart.
“We completely understand the apprehension after what the community has experienced, but the reality is often much more benign and banal,” said Zach Kearl, management analyst for the Joint Office of Homeless Services. “It seems like the well-meaning staff and volunteers at the church had everything burst at the seams.”
The shelter will be referral only, so there won’t be lines of individuals waiting to get a bed by a first-come, first-served process. The entrance to the center is on the east side of the property, away from a common student walking route and bus stop. Where the shelter pods are located, there is a wrought-iron fence and a privacy screen will be installed.
“This will have a professional provider with adequate resources and staffing to address the concerns from the neighborhood while supporting people with nowhere else to go,” Kearl said.
Conversations have been had with local stakeholders, including the city of Gresham, Neighborhood Associations, The Salvation Army, and Reynolds School District. Part of what is currently happening is the drafting of “Good Neighbor” agreements, formalizing things like quiet hours and rules for shelter residents.
Within the shelter will be communal spaces for people to gather, limiting the need for them to linger or congregate elsewhere in the neighborhood. There will also be a curfew to limit comings and goings.
The Homeless Resource Center will have a no-camping buffer zone, and staff (an official service provider/operator will be announced by Spring 2025) will discourage folks from milling about the day center.
“Our intent is to continue bringing people together to form this representative neighborhood body that can discuss all these intricacies,” Kearl said. “We are invested in this community.”
For more information on the project or to sign up for updates, visit johs.us/emergency-shelters/alternative-shelters/echrc/
Questions about the project can also be emailed to echrc@multco.us
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