The City of Hillsboro is grateful to our community partners, Washington County and Open Door HousingWorks, for working together to meet the community’s urgent needs for life-saving shelter and services by providing the temporary Safe Rest Pods on SW 17th Avenue from December 2023 through October 2024.

The temporary shelter closed at the end of October to clear the property for year-round shelter construction.

• With support from Open Door HousingWorks, all guests have safely transitioned to housing or alternate shelter.
  
  
• The Pallet Shelters — or pods — are portable and owned by Washington County.
  
  
• The pods were moved to a Washington County property to be stored while the County explores opportunities for future pod village locations.

Since December 2023, the Safe Rest Pods have: 

• Sheltered and supported to 30 to 40 guests each night, with pets allowed.
  
  
• Served 111 individual guests from 107 households
  
  
• Connected all 111 guests to housing assessments

First Round of Safe Rest Pods

From fall 2022 through summer 2023, the first round of temporary Safe Rest Pods served 85 guests and connected 67 to individualized housing assessments. The original conestoga hut shelters were moved to Cornelius in the summer of 2023 and are still in use as a Washington County shelter village.

The City's SW 17th Avenue property was equipped with electricity to offer heating and cooling to ensure guest safety during extreme temperatures before reopening the following winter.

Looking Ahead: Year-Round Shelter Project

The City of Hillsboro and Washington County expect to begin construction of the year-round shelter this winter.

You can learn more about the Year-Round Shelter Project, see the latest designs, and ask questions on Engage Hillsboro.

How You Can Help

Give back and strengthen our community when you donate needed items or volunteer with local homelessness service providers to help our neighbors stay warm & dry this winter.

Stay Informed

Sign up for monthly email updates on the City's homelessness initiatives. 

Learn More

• Shelters in Hillsboro
• Year-Round Shelter Project
• Hillsboro’s Homelessness Initiatives 
• Washington County Emergency Shelters 
• Washington County Day Centers & Homeless Resources