Portland’s newest safe rest village welcomed 67 temporary residents Friday in North Portland.
The Peninsula Crossing village is the fifth of at least seven scheduled to open so far under the city-run program, which has shown evidence of success in getting people off the streets since last year.
California-based nonprofit Urban Alchemy, which specializes in homeless outreach and operates sanctioned camping sites in California, will manage the site. In April, the city approved an open-ended five-year contract for up to $50 million with Urban Alchemy to manage shelter sites.
All safe rest villages are staffed 24/7, and offer dozens of tiny homes equipped with air conditioning, heating and twin-sized mattresses. Several organizations helped temporary residents move in Friday.
“Collaboration across teams helped ensure this move was peaceful and dignified,” spokesperson Bryan Aptekar said in a statement.
The site at 6767 N. Syracuse St. spans roughly 14,600 square feet, and houses 60 units.
The city is scheduled to open the Sunderland RV Safe Park and the Reedway Safe Rest Village in the coming months.
The Peninsula Crossing Trail, where most of the village residents were living before receiving housing at the site, will remain closed until June 16.
– Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
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