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'It was a big surprise': Lents residents split on new homeless shelters

The Lents Neighborhood Association said a nonprofit organization is looking into buying property for a shelter.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- There is a lot going on in the Lents neighborhood. Even as the area is getting new life with new buildings, neighbors are still struggling with homeless issues.

Bre Thrasher just moved to the area a couple of months ago.

“We're super excited to be right down the street from all the new construction,” said Thrasher.

New apartments and shops will be popping up soon. But right across the street from her is a building that’s currently used to help men get help with addiction and recovery.

On Tuesday, workers could be seen moving things out. One man with the organization said they had already found a new location in Estacada.

Talk around the neighborhood indicates the property near Southeast Tolman Street and 92nd Avenue could turn into a new homeless shelter for families and children.

A property in Portland's Lents neighborhood near Southeast Tolman and 92nd Avenue.

“I personally don't have much of an issue. I personally think Portland needs a lot more shelters,” said Thrasher.

Plans aren't set in stone, but the Lents Neighborhood Association said a nonprofit organization is looking into buying the place. Sabina Urdes, Chair of the LNA, said she was told the nonprofit was out on the property testing soil and inspecting the property. At this point, she said everyone is waiting to see if plans will move forward.

On Tuesday evening the LNA scheduled a general meeting where Brandi Tuck, the Executive Director of Portland Homeless Family Solutions, was scheduled to speak to community members about the possibility of the new family shelter.

While it seems neighbors seem to open to the idea, across the way at Southeast 61st Avenue and Foster Road, people living near a shelter that will go in soon are frustrated.

“It was a big surprise. There was no notice to anyone until the week of Christmas,” said David Potts, who lives in the Lents neighborhood.

“One of the citizens asked the question: ‘So is this a done deal?’ and we were told yes, and they were roundly booed,” Potts recalled.

Potts doesn’t live next to the shelter that’s expected to go in, but says he’s watching the situation closely.

“We’ve been watching it because that tells me what the city, county’s process is going to be for the next shelter that’s sited,” he said.

“There are five different neighborhood associations that are within a block or two of that property. Now that the lease is signed, [the city is] going out to meet with them and basically telling them this is how it’s gonna be,” Potts said.

Portland resident Tyler Bechtel filed a public records request in an effort to get information about the shelter. He filed a lawsuit against the city of Portland and Mayor Ted Wheeler, demanding it release an email that was withheld from him. A city worker said the email had confidential information that was either financial or personal in nature. Bechtel said the city could have given him the email with the confidential parts left out. KGW called the mayor's office, but were told he isn't commenting on it.

“The city and the county jointly are looking to, appears they're looking to, house all of the homeless folks out here on the eastside,” said Potts.

Thrasher said she understands why neighbors are upset about the shelter going in at 61st and Foster, but as for the one that could go in across the street from her, she’s got a wait and see mentality. She said her neighbors’ concerns about crime and trash are valid.

“I think it’s okay to be concerned about those possibilities but I also think having an open mind and seeing how things play out is real important as well,” Thrasher said.

The Lents Neighborhood Association meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at 8835 SE Woodstock Street.

“We’re not anti homeless. We get painted that a lot. But what we do want is for the city to do a better job at housing the unhoused,” said Potts.

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