I admire your concern for the housing crisis in our home city of Portland, Oregon. The problem has been weighing heavily on my mind and I am hoping some of the local organizations and community members such as yourself who are already working on these issues would join me in exploring the pros and possible cons of repurposing the Lloyd Shopping Center into Crisis Housing. 

Many of the mall facilities are already built to meet the needs of large groups of people in several aspects, such as food preparation and distribution, temperature regulation, space and toilet facilities, and it seems many areas could be reasonably retrofitted to meet the additional needs, such as room and bunks being divided out from larger areas, and empty salons’ water hookups being converted into private showers and laundry services. Access to additional services could easily be set up in existing vacant storefronts, the Gentle Dental could be joined by other healthcare providers that accept OHP. The community college would be incentivized to expand. 

Job services to parenting classes could be offered on location, complete with other essential services for obtaining and maintaining steady employment such as an interview outfits library and public child care. With all 4 anchor stores being empty, it seems feasible to divide out areas for families, couples, and other groups with specific needs such as the disabled, the elderly, those struggling with addiction, or even just those people who are only willing to be in a home where their animal companion is also welcome. Many traditional homeless shelters are only available to single men, leaving other vulnerable populations without options. 

Staffing and servicing these new roles will create many jobs and offer plenty of profitable business opportunities to those who are willing to partner with the city in its efforts. Between initial renovations and decorating, and the ongoing food management, cleaning and administration there will be plenty of chances. Housing people inside will beautify our streets as well, since so many more people will have access to waste management and personal storage spaces.

It is an ideal location, companies have abandoned the retail space and it is still in an area which is very accessible via public transportation services. Many homeless people are already choosing to flock to there because it has places nearby suitable for tent and car living that can be augmented with this climate controlled public space. Housing First is an evidence based long term strategy to effectively ending housing insecurity. The Lloyd Center is a huge drain of public spaces and energy resources in its state currently. By putting what clearly needs to be there into that location we can revitalize our people and our neighborhood.

Please join me in a call to action requesting an inquiry to explore the feasibility of a plan in which the city would buy or rent a portion of the Lloyd Shopping Center and use part of Portland's extensive housing crisis budget of 150 million dollars annually to make this once great structure again serve the community part of what makes Portland great.

Concerned Citizen,

Rebecca Mayfield