Multnomah County officials tonight will open an overnight warming center at the Multnomah County East Building in Gresham, offering people without shelter in East County refuge from windchills that forecasters expect to drop below 25 degrees.
The Multnomah County East Building is at 600 NE 8th St. The warming center will be open from 7 p.m. tonight through 7 a.m. Saturday. Severe weather centers accommodate individuals and couples, pets and belongings, and do not require identification or any other documentation. Families with children seeking shelter should call 211 to be directed to a shelter that can accommodate children.
A Home For Everyone staff monitor weather conditions and open emergency warming centers as needed. So far this winter, responding to snow, ice and freezing temperatures, hundreds of volunteers have helped the City of Portland, Multnomah County and other partners provide severe weather shelter for thousands of people.
If you see someone outside unsheltered whose life appears to be in danger or is in an apparent medical crisis, call 911. Otherwise, if you see someone about whom you are concerned, such as not being dressed for the weather conditions, call police non-emergency (503) 823-3333 and request a welfare check for that person. To assist someone in locating shelter and transportation to shelter, please call 211.
Multnomah County offers mental health crisis resources, at any hour, for anyone experiencing a crisis. Mental health clinicians can provide direct phone assistance to individuals experiencing a mental-health crisis including: escalated symptoms of agitation, anxiety, depression, psychosis, dangerous to self or others, substance use, etc. Call (503) 988-4888 or visit the Multnomah County Mental Health Crisis Intervention website for more information.
CONTACT: Communications Coordinator Denis Theriault, Joint Office of Homeless Services, denis.theriault@multco.us