Washington County Receives $6.2M Grant to Convert Hillsboro Motel into Shelter

Washington County has received a Project Turnkey grant of $6.2 million to convert a 60-room motel into a shelter, Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced Thursday.

The hotel, located at 622 Southeast 10th Avenue, will be used in part as a COVID-respite shelter for seasonal and migrant workers and others needing a safe space, as well as a shelter for the homeless.

According to OCF, this will be the first year-round shelter for single adults in Washington County.

OCF says community organizations - Bienestar and the Urban League of Portland (Portland, OR) - have partnered with the county and will "help ensure that programs, services and referrals are culturally relevant to meet the specific needs of underserved populations."

"Black and Brown communities around the state are experiencing a crisis within a crisis as the effects of systemic racism are magnified in this pandemic," said Denetta Monk, Director of Housing Programs, Urban League of Portland. "The Urban League is pleased to expand our culturally-specific model of service to support Washington County residents. For this important first step, our team stands ready to mobilize services and take action that leads to solidifying equitable access to safe, stable, and affordable housing."

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