The Just Compassion Shelter & Resource Center in Tigard provides 60 beds for homeless adults as well as a resource center, but on the morning of Wednesday, March 19, so many officials, including the governor, business leaders, community members, Just Compassion staff and volunteers, and media were crowded into the new facility’s lower level that no homeless people could have squeezed inside.
Luckily, the center didn’t open for business until March 24, and homeless folks were still being accommodated across the courtyard in the original facility.
Michael Austin, Just Compassion’s development director and master of ceremonies for the event, introduced the speakers one by one, who all praised the organization and the collaborative efforts by many entities to bring the project to fruition.
Just Compassion Board President Darla Tillman Samuelson credited the organization’s founding board members for getting the program started by talking to homeless people in downtown Tigard to learn about their needs and figuring out ways to provide services to the homeless for the first time in this part of Washington County. The program originated in the Tigard Foursquare Church before moving into two old houses next to the new facility on Hall Boulevard.
“I am absolutely honored to be here today,” said Gov. Tina Kotek, who noted that “our homeless crisis is complex.” She said that the additional 60 beds provided at the center are vital to serving the homeless, and more than 100 people can be accommodated in extreme weather.
Kotek also said that Just Compassion’s motto (“Be seen, be heard, be known”) “makes me so proud as your governor, and when we work together, we can accomplish this… and move people into stability. From my first day in office, I have been focusing on people living outside…
“I will walk with you on this journey. Thank you for everything you are doing for your community.”
Tigard Mayor Heidi Lueb noted, “This is more than just a building – it is a beacon of hope, a place of safety, and a critical step forward in our collective effort to address houselessness in Tigard.” She added that “addressing houselessness is a priority for the Tigard City Council, and we know that it takes a community-wide effort to make a real difference.”
Lueb also thanked the city’s funding partners, “including Washington County and Metro, whose support through the Supportive Housing Services Program – passed by voters in May 2020 (thank you, voters) – ensures that shelters like this can operate and serve those in need.”
Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington also thanked all the partners involved in creating the facility and noted that Washington County has gone from no overnight beds for the homeless to 375 currently. “This is our first purpose-built access center that has come to fruition, and two more are coming in Washington County… but there continues to be a need, and we can’t take our foot off the gas,” she said.
Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon 6th Congressional District) said that homelessness is decreasing, which is “directly related to new and expanded housing resources, just like this center, that are connecting people quickly to emergency shelters, housing case management support, rental assistance and permanent supportive housing.
“However, there is still work to do. Unfortunately, too many Americans are just one emergency, one unforeseen expense, or one medical bill away from not being able to meet their basic needs… Whether it means working in Washington, D.C., to address the root causes of our houselessness and affordability crises, or reaching out to government agencies to help keep good projects moving forward, I am committed to partnering with stakeholders to ensure all Oregonians can thrive.”
Metro Council President Lynn Peterson noted that regional supportive housing funds made the difference in the project coming together. She said that Metro put the Supportive Housing Services measure on the ballot right before Covid hit, and “it was sized for the homeless population at the time. There are five years left on the measure, and we should be sizing down now, but we need to ask voters to extend it.”
Dr. Vernon Baker, executive director of Just Compassion of East Washington County, noted that 750 donors had contributed financially to build the center, with some even giving 50 cents or $1 on a regular basis. He thanked Just Compassion’s board members, staff and volunteers as well as those who designed and built the center.
“This is a great day, but we’re not finished yet,” Baker said. “We have a tremendous amount of work to do. This is the jumping-off point. Without you, there is no Just Compassion.”
The low-barrier shelter will allow pets and offer guests showers, hot meals and case management. Services offered at the resource center will range from housing navigation and behavioral health services from culturally responsive providers to haircuts and assistance with obtaining DMV-issued identification and food assistance.
Washington County funded the shelter’s expansion in part with $9.8 million from the voter-approved Metro SHS measure. The county is also leveraging SHS to fund ongoing operations. Other support includes $4 million in American Rescue Plan funding and more than $650,000 in Washington County Community Development Block Grants.
While the grand opening ceremony was underway, it was business as usual at Just Compassion’s original shelter next door. Detrick Lane is formerly homeless and has worked at Just Compassion for 4 ½ years, including driving people to the YMCA three times a week to shower and taking them to a laundromat.
He said the daily meal schedule includes serving early-morning coffee followed by breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner. “We serve about 45 people daily but have more for dinner and coffee in the morning,” he said. “There is a clothing closet where we hand out clothes and coats. We also provide shampoo, soap and deodorant.”
A man named Mark sitting outside the facility said he had been coming there for a few months. “I’m a newbie,” he said. “I like that we get meals. Lunch was good today.”
Mark, 60, was excited about the new facility opening the following week. “I’m in the first group that gets to move in,” he said. “I’m No. 3.”
He was a contractor, but after a divorce he ended up on the streets. “I’m on a housing list to get a one-bedroom apartment,” he said. “I plan to get a job, and you can stay here for a while after you start working. This is a nice place, and it gives you a way to rebuild your life. I like the way the program is set up. If you utilize it, you can get back on your feet.”
Just Compassion is located at 12280 S.W. Hall Blvd. and is open 24 hours. The phone number is 503-624-4666.
