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Update from March 31, 2026 Community Advisory Committee Meeting

Shelter Updates

• The free little library project is complete and seeing strong use. Staff check it once or twice a day. (Photos below!)

• Working to support higher foot traffic around the shelter by redirecting individuals to the North Portland Drop-in Center or overnight-only shelters using a trifold handout. (Photos below!)

• Mural repairs are underway and graffiti is being removed, in coordination with the original artist.

• The community volunteer trash pickup event continues with high neighbor turnout. See details at arborlodgepdx.org.

HSD Updates

• The Thayer Veterans Motel Shelter has begun a soft launch opening. The Good Neighbor Agreement is expected to be finalized soon.

• Waste Management pickups are returning to pre-6am timing.

• Q2 shelter performance: 91% occupancy, 348 participants served YTD, average stay of 70 days, and 13% exits to permanent housing (among confirmed outcomes).

Reported Issues in the Neighborhood Near the Shelter

• Neighbors and business owners along Lombard and near the open lot across Denver have reported concerns about loitering, trespassing, and trash. The site safety manager is working on messaging to residents as foot traffic increases with warmer weather. DGM is being transparent that violations of community agreements can lead to participant exits, while noting that enforcement requires police involvement.

• A property owner behind Heavenly Donuts has offered to enclose the back of their property to address trespassing. Businesses experiencing ongoing issues are encouraged to contact the City of Portland's PEMO Problem Solver program: portland.gov/pemo/pemoproblemsolver. Small grants may be available for temporary fencing in high-traffic areas. (CAC member will be investigating possible grants.)

• HSD is lobbying BDS to fence off the empty lot across the street.

• Businesses that do not have a gated area are frustrated with repeated use of their property for loitering, drug use, littering, and toileting, which requires cleanup and decontamination. Neighbors need to report to the police whenever they witness illegal activity.

Next Meeting

April 27, 2026

Additional Support

If you would like to contribute donations, you can check the "Give Support" section below for the items the shelter most greatly needs right now. You can drop off donations to the shelter, or contact arbor-lodge-shelter-cac@googlegroups.com to coordinate for a member of the CAC to pick up your items.

The Arbor Lodge Shelter can always use additional support. The CAC will maintain this page with the most current list of most-needed items. 

Financial Donations

Money donations can be made directly to Do Good Multnomah on their donation page. If you want your donation to go directly to the Arbor Lodge Shelter you indicate that by leaving a comment when donating. 

Other Donations

• Wash cloths 

• Socks

• Coffee

• Underwear, men's and women's (all sizes). 

• Tea/hot cocoa for our coffee bar

• Bars of soap

• Combs

• Travel-sized lotion

• Bike locks

• Headphones

• Lip balm

• Sunscreen 

• Flowers

• Soil

• Planter for the front entrance

Other Support

Backyard bouquets from neighbors' gardens are especially enjoyed by participants and staff.  Contact your arbor-lodge-shelter-cac@googlegroups.com for more information.

The shelter is currently getting adult and children book donations from the library, including children's books, and want to share with the community.  We have obtained donations of materials and labor and installation for our little library along the line of bushes on the west side along Denver. Stop by !

Manager of the shelter, Sean Rotbergs can be reached at his email address.: Srotbergs@dogoodmultnomah.org

Do you need to report an issue related to the shelter or looking for support from the CAC? You can contact us at arbor-lodge-shelter-cac@googlegroups.com.