City of Salem – 07/13/21 5:12 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Partners Needed Immediately for Limited Duration Women’s Shelter in Salem
July 13, 2021 Salem, Ore., The City of Salem is asking land and business owners in Salem to partner in providing temporary shelter space for women experiencing homelessness. Stipends are available for business partners who have at least 2,500 square feet of indoor space with bathrooms and ADA accessibility. Buildings must pass safety and fire inspections and business partners must be willing to enter a memorandum of understanding with the City.
Business partners do not need to provide the City with shelter management or operational support, as careful coordination and a shelter management agreement is already in place with a local non-profit organization, providing sleeping mats or beds, 24-7 guest supervision and direct access to support services.
Timeliness of this ask is imperative, as ODOT has set a schedule to move the Market Street and Salem Parkway encampments July 19, 2021 before new permanent shelter sites are scheduled to open for women and children.
While the new UGM men’s shelter is on track to open by the end of July and provide 284 beds, shelter options for unsheltered women in Salem will be limited until the City can open their next indoor and outdoor shelter site on Portland Road, expected before the end of October.
Individuals who are interested in partnering or would like to share suggestions should contact the City’s Human Rights and Federal Compliance Manager, Gretchen Bennett by email at ennett@cityofsalem.net“>gbennett@cityofsalem.net
For more information about upcoming projects related to homelessness, including the city’s recent allocation of $8.1 million to support sheltering and social service providers in 2021, visit the City’s public website.
