Hillsboro Shelter

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Vea el Proyecto de Refugio de Todo el Año en español.

We Cut the Ribbon!

The Hillsboro Shelter Welcomed Guests December 1

Elected leaders and project partners celebrated the new Hillsboro Shelter near Winco & Dairy Creek Park with a grand opening event on Friday, November 14. Take a peek inside!

The City of Hillsboro and Washington County worked together to build & open the 75-bed facility to provide life-saving shelter year-round and connect guests with support services and pathways to long-term housing. Project Homeless Connect (PHC) will manage ongoing operations and services at the pet-friendly facility.

The Hillsboro Shelter is possible thanks to use of the property owned by the City of Hillsboro and funding provided by Washington County’s allocation of Metro's Supportive Housing Services Measure as well as state and federal support. Once open, the shelter will be operated by Project Homeless Connect (PHC).


How to Request Shelter

Shelter placement is not location-specific and is based on individual needs and current availability.

To get on a waitlist for shelter in Washington County, community members can visit a day center, contact Community Connect at 503-640-3263 or email CommunityConnect@CAOWash.org.

Community Engagement

Food Drive: Ongoing

Support neighbors in need and future shelter guests by donating ready-to-eat, shelf-stable and/or non-perishable food items to Project Homeless Connect. Consider including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options.

Drop-Off Times: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm

Location: Salvation Army Building, 1440 SE 21st Ave, Hillsboro
(PHC's Temporary Access Center is at the far east end)

Requested items include:

  • Canned or packaged meat, fish, soups, beans, chili, ravioli, and fruit
  • Cereals, instant oatmeal, granola bars, and peanut butter
  • Instant meals like ramen, cup noodles, easy mac, and rice packets
  • Coffee, tea, honey, sugar, and shelf-stable creamers
  • Snack items like nuts, crackers, chips, and fruit, pudding, or jello cups
  • Shelf stable milk & milk alternatives, juices, vitamin & mineral fortified drinks

Expired items will not be accepted.


Open House Event

Shelter neighbors and community members were invited to tour the shelter during an open house event on November 26 and encouraged to bring food donations.


Neighborhood Plan

The Hillsboro shelter's Neighborhood Plan is an agreement made by Project Homeless Connect and Washington County to ensure the shelter location is a supportive neighbor and guide communication and collaborative problem-solving.

Nearby residents and businesses were invited to help develop the Plan and had the opportunity to review the draft and share feedback.


Community Meeting

The City of Hillsboro, Washington County, and PHC invited community members to learn more about the project, get to know PHC, and ask questions during a virtual meeting in August.

Spanish interpretation was provided. See the Spanish recording & PowerPoint presentation on Conéctate Hillsboro.


Focus Groups & Community-Wide Survey

The City’s previous community engagement through stakeholder focus groups and a community-wide survey has informed:

  • Plans for the shelter's design, architecture, and amenities

  • Operator selection & qualifications


Ask Us Questions

We're also inviting community members to ask questions and sharing those questions and our responses below.

Vea el Proyecto de Refugio de Todo el Año en español.

We Cut the Ribbon!

The Hillsboro Shelter Welcomed Guests December 1

Elected leaders and project partners celebrated the new Hillsboro Shelter near Winco & Dairy Creek Park with a grand opening event on Friday, November 14. Take a peek inside!

The City of Hillsboro and Washington County worked together to build & open the 75-bed facility to provide life-saving shelter year-round and connect guests with support services and pathways to long-term housing. Project Homeless Connect (PHC) will manage ongoing operations and services at the pet-friendly facility.

The Hillsboro Shelter is possible thanks to use of the property owned by the City of Hillsboro and funding provided by Washington County’s allocation of Metro's Supportive Housing Services Measure as well as state and federal support. Once open, the shelter will be operated by Project Homeless Connect (PHC).


How to Request Shelter

Shelter placement is not location-specific and is based on individual needs and current availability.

To get on a waitlist for shelter in Washington County, community members can visit a day center, contact Community Connect at 503-640-3263 or email CommunityConnect@CAOWash.org.

Community Engagement

Food Drive: Ongoing

Support neighbors in need and future shelter guests by donating ready-to-eat, shelf-stable and/or non-perishable food items to Project Homeless Connect. Consider including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options.

Drop-Off Times: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm

Location: Salvation Army Building, 1440 SE 21st Ave, Hillsboro
(PHC's Temporary Access Center is at the far east end)

Requested items include:

  • Canned or packaged meat, fish, soups, beans, chili, ravioli, and fruit
  • Cereals, instant oatmeal, granola bars, and peanut butter
  • Instant meals like ramen, cup noodles, easy mac, and rice packets
  • Coffee, tea, honey, sugar, and shelf-stable creamers
  • Snack items like nuts, crackers, chips, and fruit, pudding, or jello cups
  • Shelf stable milk & milk alternatives, juices, vitamin & mineral fortified drinks

Expired items will not be accepted.


Open House Event

Shelter neighbors and community members were invited to tour the shelter during an open house event on November 26 and encouraged to bring food donations.


Neighborhood Plan

The Hillsboro shelter's Neighborhood Plan is an agreement made by Project Homeless Connect and Washington County to ensure the shelter location is a supportive neighbor and guide communication and collaborative problem-solving.

Nearby residents and businesses were invited to help develop the Plan and had the opportunity to review the draft and share feedback.


Community Meeting

The City of Hillsboro, Washington County, and PHC invited community members to learn more about the project, get to know PHC, and ask questions during a virtual meeting in August.

Spanish interpretation was provided. See the Spanish recording & PowerPoint presentation on Conéctate Hillsboro.


Focus Groups & Community-Wide Survey

The City’s previous community engagement through stakeholder focus groups and a community-wide survey has informed:

  • Plans for the shelter's design, architecture, and amenities

  • Operator selection & qualifications


Ask Us Questions

We're also inviting community members to ask questions and sharing those questions and our responses below.

  • March 2024: $850,000 in Funding Secured

    Share March 2024: $850,000 in Funding Secured on Facebook Share March 2024: $850,000 in Funding Secured on Twitter Share March 2024: $850,000 in Funding Secured on Linkedin Email March 2024: $850,000 in Funding Secured link

    With support from Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Senator Jeff Merkley, and Senator Ron Wyden, the project received $850,000 in Community Project Funding through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

    We are grateful for the continued efforts of our elected officials!

    The City of Hillsboro continues to explore options to help meet the total project costs.

  • March 2024: Design-Build Team Selected

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    After a competitive Request for Proposals process, project partners have selected Walsh Construction & Holst Architecture as the shelter's design-build team.

    This collaborative contract will help us keep the project within budget as prices for labor and materials fluctuate.

    Read our March 2024 news article to learn more.

  • Spring 2024 Community Feedback Report

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    Since spring 2022, the City has engaged the community to help shape the design & operation of the future Year-Round Shelter.

    42 community members participated in the spring 2022 focus groups, and 455 respondents completed the online survey, including:

    • People with lived experiences of homelessness
    • Homelessness service providers
    • Neighboring residents and businesses
    • Dairy Creek Park visitors
    • People who live, work, learn, and volunteer in Hillsboro


    Feedback will inform shelter design & amenities, selection of a shelter operator, elements of the shelter's Good Neighbor Agreement, and ongoing community engagement.

    See the Spring 2024 Community Feedback Report for the detailed results or read our latest news article for a summary of top themes.

  • December 2023: Reopened the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue

    Share December 2023: Reopened the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue on Facebook Share December 2023: Reopened the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue on Twitter Share December 2023: Reopened the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue on Linkedin Email December 2023: Reopened the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue link

    The City of Hillsboro, Washington County, and Open Door HousingWorks reopened the Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue with new, temporary shelter pods on the in response to critical need. The temporary site will provide life-saving shelter through late summer or fall 2024.

    Visit our Shelters webpage to learn more.

  • August 2023 Site Visit

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    In August 2023, the City of Hillsboro and Washington County will host a project briefing and site tour for key community partners and legislators, including Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, State Senator Janeen Sollman, State Representatives Nathan Sosa, Lisa Reynolds, and Susan McLain, and staff for State Representative Hai Pham.

  • August 2023: Pursuit of Design-Build Contract

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    Due to the complex nature of the project and changes in expected cost, the City chose to pursue a Design-Build Contract in August 2023.

    Rather than continuing with the previous Early Design Concept, the Design-Build approach will allow contractors to work with architects and the City as one team to keep the project within budget as costs for labors and materials fluctuate.

  • November 2022: Initial Community Feedback

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    Community feedback from three focus groups and initial survey results through October 14 is informing the shelter's physical design.

    Community members noted the importance of:

    • Spaces designed to be healing, welcoming, durable, attractive, and clean
    • Personal hygiene amenities to meet basic needs
    • Adequate trash disposal
    • Using trauma-informed design

    They also shared thoughts on key considerations for selecting a site operator and shaping a future Good Neighbor Agreement. Results were shared with Washington County and Carleton Hart Architecture at the November Design Kick-Off

    Read the initial Community Feedback Report and take the survey to share your thoughts

  • October 2022: Temporary Safe Rest Pods

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    The City of Hillsboro, Washington County, and Open Door HousingWorks acted quickly to provide unhoused community members with temporary shelter by providing Safe Rest Pods at the Year-Round Shelter site.

    The Safe Rest Pods provided safe sleeping spaces and support services for 30 to 40 unhoused individuals and couples from October 2022 to June 2023.

  • October 2022: Architecture Firm Selected

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    The City of Hillsboro selected Carleton Hart Architecture to create an initial design concept for the future Year-Round Shelter in October 2022. The firm brought vast shelter design experience, a community-based approach, and core values that reflect their passion and care for people experiencing houselessness.

    Note: Due to the complex nature of the project and changes in expected cost, the City chose to pursue a Design-Build Contract in August 2023.

Page last updated: 08 Dec 2025, 02:43 PM