Washington County funds transitional housing sites and access center with SHS resources

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners approved $42.3 million in one-time resources for two transitional housing projects located in Hillsboro and unincorporated Washington County and one new access center located in Cornelius. These awards were made through open, competitive Notice of Funding Opportunities released by the county and will add 119 units of transitional housing and an additional 24/7 access center to the Washington County system of care.

“One-time investments in access centers and transitional housing paired with ongoing funding for onsite services are only possible through the 2020 Supportive Housing Services measure,” said Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington. “These future housing and access points will make a huge difference in our community. We simply cannot lose momentum on needed solutions for our homeless services system of care.”

Of the $42.3 million awarded funds, $2.5 million are Oregon Health Authority resources dedicated to support housing for people with behavioral health needs and represent a partnership between the Department of Housing Services and the Health and Human Services Department. The majority of the one-time investments in these projects come from the Supportive Housing Services measure. Washington County’s award of these funds is contingent on Metro Council’s referral of a potential SHS revenue reduction measure that could impact the county’s ability to support ongoing operations.

Transitional Housing

Transcending Hope will receive $8.1 million to build a transitional housing facility in Hillsboro. This new construction has an anticipated opening date of Spring 2026 and will provide stabilization for 39 people with behavioral health needs. Transcending Hope will also provide an emphasis on culturally specific programming for Latine households.

“Transcending Hope Recovery Homes remains humbled and grateful as we embark on a journey of serving some of our communities most vulnerable populations. Our dedicated staff, and support of our community partners has made this possible,” said Deena Feldes, executive director of Transcending Hope. “Thank you to Monta Knudson Consulting, Ethos Development, and Katelyn Bessette; by working together we will help fill a gap and create foundations for sustained pathways to permanent housing.”

Central City Concern will receive $29.2 million to rehabilitate an existing hotel located in unincorporated Washington County. When completed in March 2026, the site will provide 80-90 temporary homes for people experiencing homelessness to transition into while receiving substance use disorder treatment.

Access Center

Open Door Housing Works currently operates a small drop-in service center in Cornelius that is too small to meet community need. They also currently operate a Safe Rest Village in Cornelius, where the lot was purchased using SHS capital funds, which will be redeveloped to serve as an access center when the village closes in September 2025. The site provides easy access to public transportation, many other public amenities, and connections to employment opportunities in the area.

County-funded access centers will offer critical front door access to services including immediate life-saving resources and long-term housing connections. These capital investments are supporting the development of purpose-built space that will offer those in need showers, hot meals, storage and connection to case managers and services.

Services will be offered seven-days a week, 12-hours a day at the new location. This access center will also provide “pop up” emergency shelter capacity to address additional shelter needs during times of severe weather. To see existing day center capacity, visit our website here.

This marks the third access center Washington County has funded with SHS resources. The first location will open in Tigard in 2025 at a site owned and operated by Just Compassion. The second site will begin construction in Hillsboro in the new year at a site owned and operated by Project Homeless Connect. The county anticipates funding one additional access center location in Beaverton in the future.

Future Project Homeless Connect Access Center, located in Hillsboro

Future Just Compassion Resource Center, located in Tigard