Low-Barrier Shelter
At our shelters, we see, serve, and support our communities so that we can help eliminate the personal and social impact of houselessness.
Our approach is low-barrier–an intentional effort to remove as many pre-conditions of entry as possible so that we can directly respond to the true emergency: thousands of Oregonians are currently sleeping outside.
At Do Good, low-barrier isn’t a buzzword, it’s an inclusive commitment that prioritizes accessibility for Veterans and other historically marginalized individuals. In addition to essential services, stability, and respite, our shelter programs build community through the power of human relationships, connection, and good old-fashioned persistence.
Wy'East
Wy’east is Portland’s first 24/7 Veteran-priority shelter, and the evolution of our first ever program that began in 2016. It houses 90 male-identifying participants, the majority of whom are Veterans. Participants have access to laundry, showers, secure storage for belongings, and a consistent bed each night. Daily homemade meals foster meaningful connections between participants and staff, who stand as guides throughout the housing process, building relationships and promoting a strong sense of community within the shelter.
259
Veterans moved into transitional housing
98,500+
meals served each year
167
Veterans moved into permanent housing
579
Veterans served since 2019
It is our privilege to serve Veterans at the Wy’east shelter and give back to those who gave so much. Providing a safe, trauma-informed atmosphere is vital to helping them rebuild their lives again.
— Nancy Ruiz, Navy Veteran
Peer Support Specialist & Kitchen Manager
Arbor Lodge
This corner of N. Lombard began serving the community as a COVID vaccine clinic in 2020, then evolved in a winter shelter in 2021 and a severe weather shelter in 2022. Today, the wholly-renovated Arbor Lodge Shelter is a flagship of trauma-informed design, specially built for serving folx who've survived in the streets. This shelter was renovated by Multnomah County in partnership the Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association, Kenton Neighborhood Association, and BIPOC Artists, Qué Lo Gì, who led the community mural. On site, you’ll find compassionate, structured care from staff as they equip participants with the skills and confidence for independent living.
18
pods reserved for women, trans, and non-binary individuals
110+
Community members were involved in the mural
5,936
Meals Served each month
106
beds available to participants
At the Arbor Lodge shelter, we are instilling lifelong skills into folx that come through our doors. Our team is here to support their individual needs and provide them with the necessary steps to achieve housing stability.
— Sean Rotbergs, Arbor Lodge Shelter Program Manager
Downtown
Located in the heart of Old Town, our Downtown shelter is geographically close to numerous peer agencies, resource providers, and transit lines for job access. The space is unique among shelters in Multnomah County in that it welcomes couples, pets, and all gender identities. With nightly scratch-made dinners and showers available 24/7, Downtown meets participants where they are in their journey, serving as a transformative stepping stone to regaining self-worth and embarking on sustainable pathways out of homelessness.
151
Individuals moved into permanent or transitional housing
2,100+
Personal hygiene & PPE items distributed
9,020+
Hours of case management and housing navigation services
90
beds available to participants
To visit Do Good’s Downtown Shelter is to experience a staff that is trauma-informed, collaborative and so, so helpful. Their team is incredible and some of the most acute people I have seen in shelter in a long time.
— Jackie Thompson, Senior Director, Cascadia Behavioral Health
Motel Shelters
Born out of a need for safe space for participants experiencing high vulnerability to COVID-19, our Motel Shelters have since evolved to become a successful and effective model of care. Participants have their own rooms with a locked door, weekly professional housekeeping, and daily meals. This creates a strong sense of belonging and nurtures a fertile environment for life building skills.
Roseway
Roseway is the largest motel shelter in Multnomah County, with 110 individualized rooms, a 24/7 food pantry that counteracts food scarcity, and two large, fenced-in areas for pets to roam free. A large, covered outdoor community space allows participants to bond with each other and build rapport.
82nd VIMo
NE 82nd Ave Voluntary Isolation Motel
Our Voluntary Isolation Motel (VIMo) is the only shelter in Multnomah County offering medically-isolated rooms for up to two weeks for contagious illness, as well as respite care for those coming out of medical trauma. Breakfast and dinner are served daily. Couples are welcome, as well as one pet per person.
To refer medically vulnerable individuals to VIMo, please call 971-500-9163.
Stark Street
Located on the border of East Portland and Gresham, the Stark Street motel offers 40 rooms community gardens, and a large outdoor kitchen setup. The location is right on several transit lines, and has a very high walkability score. A current participant states “We can be self-sufficient. We can cook, we can clean, we have our privacy.”
Shelter Referrals
All Do Good shelters are for individuals 18+. For legal reasons, we cannot serve children or families, but can support pregnant individuals up until the third trimester, at which point we can help secure family shelter.
Typically, individuals join motel shelters by first staying in one of our congregate programs. We understand how stressful it can be for some to be in shared spaces. But, we do highly recommend entering our congregate shelters as a starting point so we can establish rapport and begin the housing journey with you.