Blanchet House unveils plans to open 75-bed overnight women’s shelter

Published 2:55 pm Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Coming next year, an up-to-75-bed shelter will occupy the main sanctuary of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in downtown Portland. 

Blanchet House announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10, its future plans to open Bethanie’s Room, an overnight emergency shelter for women. 

According to Blanchet House, there are currently no emergency nighttime shelters for women in downtown Portland without a waitlist.

“We feel morally compelled to open Bethanie’s Room to ensure no woman has to sleep on the streets,” Scott Kerman, executive director of Blanchet House, said in a release. “This shelter is a crucial step in addressing the homelessness crisis and providing women with a safe place to be at night, a time which can be incredibly dangerous for them.”

The new shelter, which is planned to open at 1432 SW 13th Ave/ next spring, will operate 365 nights a year to provide woman a safe space to sleep and stay.

Named in memory of Bethanie, a homeless woman who frequented Blanchet House’s café and died earlier this year from a hit-and-run crash, it will be a place to honor her memory and aim to prevent other women from the same fate. 

Blanchet House works with nonprofit Operation Nightwatch, which provides an evening community space at the church, and welcomed them to open the shelter in the church. 

Bed reservations will be made by partner agencies and through a dedicated referral line for outreach teams and organizations who care for unsheltered woman at night. Women in need of shelter will be able to go to Blanchet House for a referral and free cab ride to Bethanie’s Room.

It will cost an estimated $1 million in the first year for renovations to meet safety standards; the hiring and training of staff; and the procurement of supplies and equipment. Funding is sought from the city of Portland, individuals, foundations and businesses. 

For those interested in financially supporting Bethanie’s Room, contact Steve Cook at scook@blanchethouse.org.