NOTE: the Multnomah Neighborhood Association (MNA) has not taken a position for or against the Multnomah Safe Rest Village (MSRV), but we want a successful Good Neighborhood Agreement (GNA). Our representatives to the CAC work to achieve that success.

Latest News

Urban Alchemy is operating the MSRV effective July 1.

MSRV Onsite Manager: Damien Rouse Damienrouse@urban-alchemy.us
24/7 Hotline: 971-269-0024 - Press 1 to reach a person or leave VM

———————————————————————

From Portland Shelter Services:

As of July 1, the City of Portland’s Multnomah Safe Rest Village has officially transitioned over to Urban Alchemy as the site operator. After a fair, thorough, and statutorily mandated procurement process, Urban Alchemy’s vision and prior success with large-scale alternative 24/7 shelters was the best fit for the 100-unit site.   The City thanks Sunstone Way, the prior operator of the site, for their work and continued partnership.

 A press release for MSRV’s Transition to Urban Alchemy can be found here.
https://www.portland.gov/portland-solutions/news/2025/7/1/city-portland-announces-transition-multnomah-safe-rest-village

———————————————————————

Click here for the Urban Alchemy website

Sears Armory may be rezoned CM2 to allow affordable housing development

The proposal would modify the current zoning (EG2) to allow for permanent residential housing and commercial services (CM2 zone) on the site, which is not permitted under the current zoning. Time is of the essence. The new zoning would also allow the MSRV to continue after the housing emergency ends.

UPDATE: The proposal has moved from Discussion Draft to Proposed Draft and sent to the Portland Planning Commission for review and public testimony.

Here is the timeline for Planning Commission testimony.

Submit public testimony on the project's Proposed Draft

• The Proposed Draft of the Affordable Housing Opportunities Project will be available the week of Aug. 4.

• Submit written public testimony through the Map App beginning the week of Aug. 4.

• Planning Commission hearing is set for Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. Sign up for verbal testimony by Monday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m.

For more information, click here

• Project website: https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/affordable-housing/news/2025/6/2/offer-feedback-affordable-housing-opportunities

• Public comment portal: https://www.portlandmaps.com/bps/ahop/#/map/

• AHOP team can be reached directly at ahop@portlandoregon.gov 

Another proposal, RICAP 11*, would allow up to 200 units on a site like MSRV.
We received notice of the proposal too late to do meaningful analysis of it, so we sent a comment to the city in opposition based on that inadequate notice.
Oregon statutes may make the change moot, however.
*RICAP 11 stands for Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Package 11

Click here to see the RICAP 11 draft proposal.
See item # MP14 on pages 102-105 for proposed change related to outdoor shelters.

Click here to see all public comments on the AHOP and RICAP-11 change, including the Sears site

Click here to see community comments received by MNA

Update from our CAC representatives June 30, 2025:

The June MSRV CAC meeting was on Tuesday June 17th.

 Shelter Services (SS) continues to work on the transition from Sunstone Way to Urban Alchemy (UA) as the MSRV Operator. UA will begin the afternoon of June 30th. UA’s “Portland Love” Team will continue their weekday patrols, and now that UA is onsite, they will have more ability to address adjacent neighbor perimeter issues in the evenings and weekends. The CAC had asked for increased area patrols by the UA Neighborhood Ambassadors to include evenings and weekends, but the City has no intention of expanding or increasing the UA patrol hours.

 UA will expand the number of participants at the site from 100 people to 120 people, by doubling-up participants in some of the pods. UA will have a ratio of participants-to-staff of 20-to1; they will provide this coverage 24/7. Area neighbors can contact UA, on their “Portland Love” dispatch hotline, which is staffed 24/7, if they have any concerns. The number is: 971-269-0024. UA will be looking at addressing the ongoing noise issues for adjacent neighbors when they begin operations in July. If participants are exited from the site, UA will not be walking them to the gate outside the MSRV, as has been done in the past, but will be finding alternative shelter space or will work with City Outreach teams for assistance.

 The MSRV is funded through June 2026. It is unclear if the recently proposed AHOP re-zoning at the Sears site will make the MSRV a permanent fixture, or will allow for expansion, to include community services, a night shelter, a day shelter, etc. as is stated in the language of the re-zoning documentation. The City provided no concrete answers regarding future plans for the MSRV site.

 SW 25th is now a designated “Permit Parking Only” area with signs for “No RV Parking” to deter camping/loitering near the MSRV. UA Staff will be parking in that area. UA will help with the reporting of any parking violations to PBOT who will enforce the new parking rules.

 Our next CAC meeting is on Tuesday, July 15th.

 Click here for  more information in our full July report.