Update 5/5/2026
Our search team has identified a suitable site that will address shelter priorities that the East County Family Shelter would have fulfilled. The search team focused on what matters most: timeliness, family safety, and project efficacy.
Importantly, funding for this family shelter project remains secure in our Fiscal Year 2026 budget, and this project is included in the Chair’s proposed budget for next year. We are continuing to strive to find a long-term option in East County.
Operations at the East County Temporary Family Shelter are slated to commence in late-May, 2026.
We have identified a temporary site in East Portland at 9707 SE Stark Street, an inn located in a commercial and residential area near public transportation and shopping amenities.
The families who will receive services from the site operator, Just Compassion, will be either coming off our waitlist (i.e., not currently in shelter) or be transferred from our flexible motel shelter vouchers.
Please send inquiries to gregorio.benavides@multco.us
The programming at this temporary location will look similar to what was planned for the East County Family Shelter, including a 24/7 staff to support families, on-site food service, child development and behavioral health specialists, and housing case management support and navigation specialists.
Having a program located in East Portland does not preclude families who might have school-aged children enrolled in our East County school districts (Reynolds and Gresham-Barlow) from attending their schools in East County. The McKinney-Vento Act ensures the stability and educational rights of youth experiencing homelessness by providing transportation to the school of origin.
Update 3/19/2026
Due to unforeseen challenges related to the planned East County Family Shelter (ECFS), Multnomah County HSD has made the difficult decision to find a new location for this program.
The Homeless Services Department (HSD), in partnership with the planned shelter operator, Just Compassion, is moving quickly to find another site for the shelter and limit further delay in expanding our shelter capacity for families experiencing homelessness.
HSD remains fully committed to launching this program and restoring needed capacity in our family shelter system.
If you are interested in receiving updates directly, please contact gregorio.benavides@multco.us or complete the form linked below.
East Multnomah County HSD
The Homeless Services Department (HSD) at Multnomah County is using a motel to provide emergency shelter to serving families. The site is located at 24124 SE Stark St in Gresham.*
In October, 2025, Just Compassion was selected to operate the East County Family Shelter, starting in April 2026. Just Compassion spoke at Community Meeting #2 (10-29-2025) and presented to members of the community on their community-centered response approach to operations at the East County Family Shelter.
The site will include the following critical services:
*Updates to be announced
(rev. 3/11/26)
The March 12th community meeting at Mount Hood Community College (MHCC) about the East County Family Shelter is cancelled.
We will be updating this project website as soon as more information is available.
Family Shelter Operator Selected
Just Compassion has been selected to operate the new Family Shelter in East County. They have extensive experience working in both Washington County and the City of Tigard, and they will be speaking at the upcoming community meeting on 10/29/2025. URL: https://www.justcompassionewc.com/
Family Shelter Start Date
HSD anticipates a December 1, 2025, start date for programming at the 24124 SE Stark Street shelter site in Gresham. Just Compassion will start pre-operations work in November 2025 at the site.
Second Community Meeting
RSVPs for the next community meeting at Walt Morey Middle School for Wednesday, October 29 @ 6:00pm is here: RSVP is closed for this event
ECFS in the Media
Planned East County Family Shelter would fill need in Gresham
Christopher Keizur
Sep. 18, 2025
ECFS Meeting Dates
CANCELLED: Good Neighbor Agreement Public Presentation March 12, 2026
Co-development of a Good Neighbor Agreement (December 2025 to March 2026)
Planned opening: TBA
(Rev. 3/11/26)
Past Events
Community Meeting #2 – Meet the Shelter Operator
Wednesday, October 29 | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Walt Morey Middle School @ school cafeteria
Presentation slides
County Board Meeting – Resolution Vote
Item R.2: Resolution Approving a Room-Block Agreement (RBA) at the Motel
Located at 24124 SE Stark St, Gresham, OR.
Thursday, September 25 | 9:30 – 11:45am
Multnomah Building (501 Southeast Hawthorne Blvd)
Boardroom 100
Watch or listen
(Item R.2 time: hour 0:29:05 to hour 1:05:29)
Community Meeting #1
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:15pm
Mount Hood Community College (26000 SE Stark St)
Town & Gown Room
Presentation slides
For questions or comments about this project, email gregorio.benavides@multco.us.
