A u g u s t 3. 2011 $Iorthinò (Observer Commons c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 13 “I think what is really interesting has been watching people move into the apartments,” she said. On the day it opened, the waiting list to get into the commons' afford­ able housing was already 150 names long. Currently, Duke said the wait­ ing list has reached 450 individuals. “This is pretty fast paced,” said Duke. “There are quite a number of people out there who could ben­ efit.” already patients or they think will be appropriate for the housing, includ­ ing Outside In, Central City Con­ cern, Native American Rehabilita­ tion Association and Multnomah County West Clinic. Duke explained that rent for the residents of the affordable housing units is 30 percent of their income. “If their income is zero then they pay zero, she said. “We are working hard to help people access ben- Page 17 dedicated to serving people’s basic needs as they tran sitio n from homelessness to housing, both the patio and recreation room were filled with people. Connections, in addition to of­ fering housing assistance for home­ less individuals, also provides a number of other immediate services, including individual showers, cloth­ ing, laundry, access to residential programs, information and referrals and a computer lab, telephones and even a hair salon. “I think this is making a huge difference,” said Fern Elledge, Con- tiny waiting area with only 12 seats. The new facility she said is “clean and modem and has space for people to be.” Still, the center on Friday was providing services for 50 to 80 people, and according to Elise Flanders, who has worked at the day center since it opened, said “This is pretty slow right now.” While the Bud Clark Commons stands as a testament that the City of Portland has made some progress to reduce homelessness within the city, even with the new building, the need for further resources has be­ come increasingly evident. “The public investments we’ve made in the 10-Year Plan, and the effective work of our community partners, shows us that we are put­ ting our money in the right places to end homelessness, enabling us to “hold the line” against even greater increases in homelessness,” said Hampto. “Yet, our work is not done.” Duke agreed. “I am pretty sure we could fill up more than 130 units if we had them,” she said. “It is hard to get better and make changes for your life if you don’t have a home to go back to. If you can’t take care of yourself then it is hard to live. “ According to Hampto, the recent strategic plan made by the Portland Housing Bureau for 2011-2013 will continue to prioritize development and preservation of affordable units for the most vulnerable residents because most people simply need housing they can afford. She said there is a need to in­ crease the current level of funding for residential programs to finish the job of ending homelessness. “It is scary and dangerous to live outside,” said Duke. “It is hard to protect yourself and stay safe.” The 130-units at Bud Clark Com­ mons are expected to be filled by Labor Day weekend. As part of the plan to reduce homelessness and create a commu­ nity resource for those most in need, the new building, which celebrated its grand opening on June 2, has become a multi-faceted center, of­ fering a day resource center to ad­ dress basic needs, a 90 bed m en’s shelter and a 130 unit apartment complex for homeless individuals considered to be the most vulner­ able. “The comm ons’ 130 units of housing will take a small step to­ ward restoring a healthy balance of housing options,” said Maileen Hampto, public information officer for the Portland Housing Bureau. “The day center is an essential re­ source for people who are currently experiencing homelessness to get connected to vital information and basic services as they apply for housing, jobs, and benefits.” The building and services were made possible through partnerships between the Portland Housing Bu­ reau, Home Forward (formerly, the Housing Authority of Portland), T ran sitio n P ro je cts, Inc., and Multnomah County. The Portland Housing Bureau invested $29.5 million to build the Bud Clark Commons, and in the first year, the city will fund operations. photo by M indy C< x ) per /T he P ortland O bserver Located downtown at the edge Fern Elledge, connections director for the Bud Clark Commons, gives a tour o f the new downtown of Northwest Broadway Avenue housing landmark and its Transitions, Inc. day center and homeless shelter, which provides a and Hoyt Street, the center is the number o f immediate services for homeless people throughout the metro area. first of its kind in the country to earn an energy saving LEED Platinum Each week, she said, there are efits.” rating and has made great strides in new people being assessed, but not According to Hampto, on a one- nections director. “It’s wonderful the initiative to end homelessness all of those on the list are considered night count conducted in January, to have the space where people can within the city. to be vulnerable to homelessness. more than 2,700 people were home­ access service in dignity.” “We don’t have enough hous­ Because of the high need for less in Portland. Although nearly 40 She said the old service center, ing for people who can’t afford housing, the candidates are selected percent of these individuals were in located at Northwest Fifth Avenue market rent,” said Rachael Duke, through a very particular process. shelters, the rest were sleeping on and Glisan Street downtown, had a manager of operations and partner­ ships for Home Forward. “So every time we build new housing, we are h e lp in g to end p e o p le being hom elessness.” Home forward, which is the larg­ est provider of affordable housing in the state of Oregon, developed the building and manages the 130- unit apartment community. “I think this is a great model, and it is very exciting to be here,” said Duke, who has been diligently work­ ing on the project for over a year now. In sid e the new a p artm e n t building’s lobby last week, Duke photo by M indy C ooper /T he P ortland O bserver said they had just finished up a Heather Weitman, the resident and community services coordina­ resident meal. Residents asked for tor for the Bud Clark Commons, conducts a screening o f a ice trays, while other individuals potential resident for one o f the building's 130-studio units. The NOW OPEN were being assessed by the Home downtown housing complex, which celebrated its grand opening Mon-Fri: 6:00am-6:00pm Forward team to see if they could be on June 2, provides permanent housing for homeless individuals. a future resident of a unit. Accepting Children as early as 1 month -13 years old. Although the complex has only “We have organized our wait list so the streets. been opened for two-months, she it is organized by vulnerability, and The progress and success of the Accepting full or part time child care. said half of the available units are not time and date,” Duke said. operations of the commons has been already being leased, with 128 indi­ We don’t do all the assessments a team effort, Duke said. For more information Contact: viduals already moved in or in the ourselves, she said. “We have a Inside the Connections day cen­ Carrie Green: 503-384-2529 cue to soon make the building their relationship with four different clin­ ter facility run by Transitions, Inc., or Carrieg9@comcast.net new home. ics that work with people who are an independent non-profit agency Carri«'’s C©rr£