By The Portland Medium
Multnomah County District 4 Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon will convene East County leaders and residents to reassess plans for a homelessness services facility at Cook Plaza in Gresham.
The announcement follows a directive from County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, in collaboration with Commissioner Jones-Dixon, to implement a 90-day pause on construction of the East County Homelessness Resource Center. The facility, located at 19421 S.E. Stark St., was slated to offer day services and 24/7 shelter units, along with warming and cooling space during severe weather.
The building, a former State of Oregon employment office purchased by the County in December 2022, has previously served as a severe weather shelter. Renovations were unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners in September 2023.
Though the planned facility is part of a countywide shelter strategy, the landscape of homelessness services in East County—particularly in Gresham and Rockwood—has evolved since the project’s inception. County officials said that shifting conditions and emerging service developments call for renewed community input and collaboration.
“We heard loud and clear from East County leaders their need to be meaningfully involved to ensure investments are made where they are needed most,” said Commissioner Jones-Dixon. “I felt it was critical to be responsive to this feedback.”
Chair Vega Pederson reaffirmed the County’s commitment to East County, stating, “There continues to be a great need for these resources. We are committed to staying at the table with elected leaders and the community to make sure our strategic visions align so that we can move these resources forward together.”
Commissioner Jones-Dixon plans to lead a series of meetings in the coming months to develop a revised path forward that reflects the region’s evolving needs.
