On the heels of these distressing reports the Central Eastside Industrial Council petitioned the City of Portland to form an “Enhanced Service District,” citing growing problems with bio-waste, trash, and people sleeping on sidewalks. They proposed to collect close to 3 million in real estate fees, intending to spend two thirds of those funds employing a private security force to patrol public space. The final third was designated to cleaning up street waste and graffiti removal.

With just 2 public bathrooms available in those 77 city blocks, shelters at capacity, and no place to legally dispose of household trash – we knew that private policing would not solve the problems created by a grievous lack of basic public health, sanitation, and safety infrastructure for those forced to live on the streets. For this reason we argued against additional security spending likely to increase police interactions, arrests, and 9-1-1 calls. Instead, we argued for the creation of safe and legal facilities allowing those living outside greater access to safe, legal, low barrier bathrooms, showers, trash disposal, and areas to sleep.

When we failed to convince the City and the Central Eastside property owners to reallocate security funds to create sanitation and safety  infrastructure, we began organizing with our houseless neighbors to design and envision a peer-run hygiene, sanitation and safety hub that might address the shared problems housed and unhoused Central Eastsiders were experiencing.

After a year and a half of twice-weekly focus groups and planning sessions, we approached Commissioner Eudaly’s staff with our plan. They helped us secure a spot for the hub on PBOT land. By the summer of 2020 we began building H4A’s outbuilding-pods under the Morrison Bridge. Over the fall we spent 46 hours training our staff and volunteers in mental health first aid, wound care, reducing identity and status related harm, and de-escalation planning and strategies.  On December 15th, 2020 we gathered with representatives of 40 collaborating organizations to open our bright little buildings, surrounded  by art, murals, greenery, and a very special team of hopeful human beings.

As Commissioner Meieran said on our opening day, our little hub stands as proof of what we “accomplish when we get together, and work with people who are most impacted by our different and ineffective systems and figure out what people genuinely need and want.” A visit to the Hub for foot care can circumvent visits to the ER, which frequently ends in the loss of toes, feet, or legs. As Commissioner Eudaly passionately stated: “It shouldn’t be this hard to do something this essential.” We agree. Our purpose is to pave the way to making it easier.