Living up to the motto for his Straightway Services Homeless Outreach, “Where failure is not an option,” Pastor Dwight Minnieweather this week announced the much-awaited opening of The Light Community, a wrap-around service park for homeless people living in their cars.
Straightway Services, founded by Minnieweather, has focused for more than 22 years on programs serving youth, workforce development and homeless services. The nonprofit was selected by Multnomah County’s Joint Office of Homeless Services to manage the park in the Montavilla Neighborhood at 333 SE 82nd Ave.
The site will be fenced and will include sleeping pods (tiny homes) for sleeping, parking spaces, separate buildings for showers and restrooms, laundry, kitchenette and on-site housing services from the county and several nonprofits.
Among them are Rentwell Services which provides a day course where participants can learn about credit, dealing with a landlords and receive a voucher to access housing specialists and how to access a stable income. Easterseals Oregon will provide help with finding jobs for those who are 55 and older.
“We will also have wrap-around services for the participants that include cooking, healthy eating classes and differing activities throughout the week, including movie night on a big screen,” Minnieweather said.
Plans call for the site to open on March 13, Minnieweather said. “We have 29 pods and just started the referral process and right now have 17 individuals (approved). Referrals have come from Rahab’s Sisters, PDX Saints Love Day Shelter and Straightway Services Homeless Outreach.
The site has space for 29 pods, or tiny houses, and 29 parking spaces, including eight parking spaces that will be wheelchair accessible. Half the restrooms will feature roll-in showers, and all facilities will have ramps and landings.
The facility will include also include office space for security personnel, one-on-one counseling, site manager and secretary, and another space where community participants can meet with a community health worker to address a variety of issues, such as documentation, “Things they need to catch up,” said Minnieweather, which can include birth certificates, Social Security and food stamp cards.
People with substance abuse disorders will also receive support from Straightway Services, which has a proven track record in helping community members overcome substance abuse.
“It means the world to us to operate this shelter and support an alternative way of helping people who sleep in their vehicles,” he said.
Neighborhood businesses and residents are often hesitant about a new shelter in their neighborhood, but many support them once they are operational.
On March 12 of last year, about 30 community members attended an event supporting the shelter, hosted by Saints Peter & Paul Episcopal Church, which is located near the safe park site.
Rev. Sara Fischer, who leads the church, said she heard from many people who want to support their unhoused neighbors.
“I think having a place where unhoused Montavilla neighbors can park free from anxiety about whether they or their vehicles are in danger helps the whole community,” she said.
“It creates a space where residents can receive needed services that can help them navigate through the health care system and ideally continue on the path toward permanent housing. As with all of us, that path is going to look different for every person, but having a safe, supportive place to park is an important first step.”
Former state Senator Diane Rosenbaum, who formerly represented the Montavilla neighborhood as a county commissioner, also spoke at the community event.
“Quality shelter can provide dignity, safety and a pathway into housing and it can be an asset to its neighborhood,” she said. “I’m energized by the compassion, welcoming and thoughtful engagement of many neighbors I’ve met.”
The Joint Office of Homeless Services is a partnership between the county and the city of Portland. Those with questions about the proposed park can call 503-988-2525.