Old Kenton Hotel to Become Shelter for Sober Homeless Veterans This Fall

A new 24-hour shelter focused on providing support for sober homeless veterans is set to launch this fall in the former Kenton Hotel on North Interstate Avenue, aiming to deliver housing and stability to those who have served and are dedicated to their recovery journey.

A partnership has been formed between Multnomah County and Do Good Multnomah, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing homelessness among veterans in the community. The organization has announced that the shelter will accommodate 17 guests simultaneously, with the requirement that all individuals must be sober and possess some form of prior military service, including active duty, the National Guard, or a reserve component, to be eligible.

“Nothing else compares to this at the moment,” stated Matthew Harvey, a case manager at Do Good Multnomah and a military veteran who has faced homelessness personally. He pointed out that numerous shelters fail to distinguish between individuals based on sobriety or veteran status, resulting in a lack of tailored support for this group.

Do Good Multnomah has acquired the former hotel building, aided by a $500,000 forgivable loan from Multnomah County along with a generous contribution from the Thayer Family Foundation, based in Portland. A commercial loan covered the remaining expenses.

The organization currently operates six accessible shelters throughout Multnomah County, serving all who require assistance. This new facility represents a significant shift, focusing on the specific needs of sober veterans as they face the challenges of homelessness and recovery.

The Kenton Hotel, a historic site, is set to undergo a transformation aimed at creating a nurturing space for veterans. This initiative will ensure that they have access to not only secure accommodations but also essential services, including case management, housing navigation, and health support.

County officials indicate that the investment demonstrates a commitment to creating more customized shelter solutions that target specific deficiencies within the overall homeless services framework. “This initiative focuses on engaging individuals in their contexts, providing services that resonate with their identities,” one official stated.

Harvey highlighted the shelter's goal of fostering a community centered on accountability and recovery. He stated, "Being in the company of those who understand the challenges of service and the difficulties that follow can be the pivotal moment between remaining homeless and finding stability."

The shelter is set to launch by the end of 2025, with plans to promptly begin accepting referrals from the Department of Veterans Affairs and local outreach teams.

‍