Temporary Camp Site Opens To Help Homeless Community Members In Hillsboro

Press release from the City of Hillsboro:

July 7, 2021

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Temporary Camp Site Opens to Help Homeless Community Members

The challenges of homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting vulnerable community members who continue to seek shelter and support – particularly in and around Downtown Hillsboro.

On Thursday, July 8, the City of Hillsboro along with community partners opened a temporary camping site at 699 SW Wood Street near Downtown Hillsboro, with the goal of providing a safer, more secure environment with access to basic services.

A City Council Work Session to discuss homelessness, including this camp site, was held on Tuesday, May 18. Watch the video of that work session below.

“We have heard from many community members that Hillsboro’s livability is suffering,” said Assistant City Manager Simone Brooks during the Work Session. “Unsafe conditions, threats to the environment such as garbage and poor sanitation, nuisance, criminal activity and business disruption are frequent topics of complaints. Perhaps with equal frequency, we receive complaints about the lack of access to shelters and affordable housing, social services, and resources for our unhoused community members to meet even the most basic needs of a place to eat, find water, use a restroom or sleep.”

City Manager Robby Hammond also noted that the City has been considering the best use of the City-owned property for more than a year.

To learn more about what the City of Hillsboro is doing about homelessness, please go to the City's Homelessness initiatives webpage.

Contact Information

Project Homeless Connect staff can be reached at 503-825-8970 for issues or questions specific to camp operations.

Please email our Wood Street Project Team at Wood.Street.Camp@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov with general comments or inquiries about the project.

Please call Hillsboro Police’s non-emergency line at 503-629-0111 for general non-emergency issues, and 911 should be called for emergency issues that require police or code compliance response.

Why was the Wood Street site selected?

The Wood Street property is owned by the City of Hillsboro and is currently undeveloped. Located next to the Jackson Bottom Wetland Preserve and the city-owned Public Safety Training Facility, the camp site is well situated to limit impacts on surrounding businesses and community members.

Businesses and residents in the area are receiving information directly from the City of Hillsboro about the camp, which will be managed by Project Homeless Connect. Some campers at the site have already been identified and are willing to make the move after previously camping nearby.

What provisions will the Wood Street site offer?

Investments from the City and other partners will make the site capable of hosting a maximum of 30 campers, and the site will have the following facilities and services:

• Portable restrooms
• Hand washing station
• Trash collection service
• Security fencing
• 30 designated tent sites
• Sleeping bags
• Sleeping pads
• 24/7 supervision (from Project Homeless Connect)
• Limited food and bottled water (from Project Homeless Connect)

The size of the site will help address the current sheltering needs in the Hillsboro community, and Project Homeless Connect is working to assist campers with transportation options to reach the site.

How long will the site be operational?

The Wood Street camp site will operate for up to six months during the warm weather months – until campers can transition to winter weather shelters in the colder months.

Why was Project Homeless Connect selected to manage the site?

Project Homeless Connect staff have a successful history of managing shelters and camp sites in Hillsboro, including at the Hillsboro Civic Center in Downtown Hillsboro, the Safe Sleep Village at the Washington County Fair Complex in central Hillsboro, the Shelter at Orenco Station, and the Salvation Army Shelter near Sunset Esplanade. Three Project Homeless Connect staff members will be on-site at all times to provide services and care, and to ensure a safe and managed site.

How were plans for the tent camp site communicated?

Information about the plans for the tent camp site were shared directly with neighbors in the immediate area through a mailed letter. Additional communication via mail, social media, email newsletter followed to the entire community. Follow up communication with neighboring residents and businesses included phone calls, emails, door-to-door visits, and an in-person conversation forum. Staff will remain available to listen and respond to concerns during the camp site’s operations.

Did the camp site require permitting or rezoning of the property?

This short-term use of the site for camping is allowed with a Temporary Use Permit and does not require a zoning change.

Is flooding a concern on this property?

The dry weather season camp is not within the 100-year floodplain. It is situated on the highest part of the property, with elevated tent pads.

What is being done for pedestrian/vehicle safety in the area?

Project Homeless Connect staff will provide transportation options for campers in order to minimize additional pedestrian traffic on Wood Street. Additionally, Project Homeless Connect staff do not provide walk-up services. Staff are coordinating with neighboring industries to maintain a high level of awareness. At the request of neighboring industries, a temporary gravel path will be constructed connecting the camp entrance with the existing public sidewalk on Wood Street.

If the camp is full, will individuals be allowed to camp outside of the camp site?

The camp will accommodate up to 30 campers. Camping will not be allowed outside the camp site, and Project Homeless Connect staff do not provide walk-up services.

Will the camp attract illegal RV parking along Wood Street?

Project Homeless Connect staff do not provide walk-up services. RVs have not gathered outside previous service locations. Hillsboro Police Department officers will provide increased patrolling of the area.

What initiatives are in place for preventing trash, pollution, and environmental impacts?

The site is in response to an existing community need. Trash and pollution concerns are already impacting the nearby areas around Dairy Creek, McKay Creek, and Downtown Hillsboro. Project Homeless Connect staff will monitor inside the camp and the surrounding area. Campers are expected to use trash disposal service. Staff will remain available to listen and respond to concerns during the camp site’s operations.

Where is the funding for the project coming from, and how much will it cost?

Services being provided by Project Homeless Connect are being paid for by the City of Hillsboro. The estimated funding is $170,000 to operate the tent camp site through November 2021.

Will the City compensate property owners for lost property value or security enhancements?

The site is in response to an existing community need that is already impacting the nearby areas around Dairy Creek, McKay Creek, and Downtown Hillsboro. There is no plan to financially compensate neighbors for perceived loss of property value or additional security investments stemming from camp site operations on City-owned property.

What kind of security and police presence will be provided around the area?

Project Homeless Connect staff will perform regular perimeter walks of the site. Hillsboro Police Department officers will provide increased patrolling of the area.

What can neighbors do if they experience issues?

Project Homeless Connect staff can be reached at 503-825-8970 for issues or questions specific to camp operations.

Please email our Wood Street Project Team at Wood.Street.Camp@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov with general comments or inquiries about the project.

Please call Hillsboro Police’s non-emergency line at 503-629-0111 for general non-emergency issues, and 911 should be called for emergency issues that require police or code compliance response.

How long will the site be operational?

The site is planned to operate through November 2021.

Are campers required to provide a clean drug test?

No. While drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the premises, tenants will not be required to provide a clean drug test.

Are campers required to be actively seeking employment?

No. All Project Homeless Connect programs operate from a low barrier perspective. Project Homeless Connect welcome campers to a community of people experiencing similar challenges, meeting them where they are at, and assisting those who are seeking and capable of employment.

Are campers required to police themselves?

Three Project Homeless Connect staff members will be on site at all times to implement the guidelines for acceptable behavior. Campers are required to sign their agreement to abide by the camp guidelines in order to enter the camp.

Will campers be removed if they don’t follow the rules of the camp?

Yes. Project Homeless Connect staff will endeavor to help guests live within the guidelines but campers may be evicted if they fail to do so. Staff members will make a case by case assessment of each unique situation in order to maintain a safe and communal atmosphere.

This press release was produced by the City of Hillsboro. The views expressed are the author's own.