City-purchased structure will house seven young clients

A $178,000 Community Development Block Grant the Beaverton City Council recently approved for the Boys & Girls Aid Transitional Living Program will fund the rehabilitation of a four-plex dwelling on Southwest Fifth Street to provide transitional housing for youths between ages 16 and 21.

The city is partnering with Boys & Girls Aid to renovate the 1950s-era home at 11855 S.W. Fifth St. the city purchased in January for $315,000.

The facility, which can house up to seven qualified youth at a time, will serve as the Transitional Living Program’s permanent home. The program provides stable housing and case management for youths in an effort to help them succeed as they transition into adulthood.

Participating youths may finish their high school education, gain employment and attend weekly skill-building classes that assist them on the way toward independent housing. Youth clients may live at the site for up to two years.

The City Council OK’d the grant at its July 17 meeting.

The program, which currently operates out of a rented duplex in Washington County, will double its capacity in the new facility. Funds used to rent the previous location will be freed to invest in delivering more services to youths in need. Additional grants and private donations will augment the Community Development Block Grant funding.

“Sadly, the Beaverton School District has one of the highest rates of homelessness in Oregon,” said Mayor Dennis Doyle. “Currently, there are more than 1,840 homeless youth in Beaverton. These youth need stability and support to ensure their future success — we’re here to provide them with just that.”

Anyone who would like to learn more about how to assist with this project should visit BeavertonOregon.gov/BGA or contact Andrea Nelson at 503-526-2533.

The oldest welfare 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency in the state, Boys & Girls Aid as served Oregon’s children since 1885 and works to improve the lives of children in need by providing safe housing, positive relationships with caring adults and tools to learn and grow.

In addition to foster care, the agency provides adoption services and temporary safe housing for young people.

For more information, visit www.boysandgirlsaid.org.