Arbor Lodge shelter opening still delayed, Multnomah County says it's 'very close'

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Multnomah County officials say they are “very close” to opening the Arbor Lodge shelter after several construction delays.

The North Portland homeless shelter located at a former Rite Aid along Lombard Street originally closed for renovations last spring. The site is now expected to open in mid- to late October. The delays in construction were first reported by Willamette Week.

“There have been several roadbumps with construction that have led to delays. This was in no small part due to significant supply chain challenges,” spokesperson Julia Comnes said.

Multnomah County reported delays in electronic installations, such as badge access and security camera systems. Recent months have been dedicated to installations, electrical and fire safety work, and inspections.

Back in June, officials held a “grand opening” for the shelter, though spokesperson Julia Comnes said it is “typical for us to hold a grand opening celebration at a site before it is actually open.”

“It would have been clear to attendees at the event that more work needed to happen — for example, there still wasn’t a front door at the time,” Comnes said. “There were unfortunately further delays after the grand opening event that have caused a later opening date than we’d hoped.”

Back in June, officials said more than $10 million had been dedicated to renovating the shelter, which was expected to hold more than 106 people who are in the process of making their way out of homelessness. The shelter will also partner with “Do Good Multnomah,” which focuses on housing veterans in the Portland area.

The beds at Arbor Lodge are part of a longer-term Multnomah County goal of 1,000 shelter units by the end of next year.