Another micro-refugee debuted in Salem.
This one, at 1280 Center Street, officially opens later this month with 80 modules for others hoping to find stronger housing. There is a waiting list for microrefuges that has several hundred people, and they have been completed even before they opened. .
Micro-shelters provide occupants with a warm place to sleep and protect their belongings. Advocates say it allows other homeless people to stabilize, seek care and adhere to more permanent housing solutions.
On Sunday, Church at the Park hosted an open space at the new location to allow the network to see what small buildings look like.
Related: Salem’s New Team Attempts a Different Response to Homeless Camps
Twenty of the structures have moved from a transience on Portland Road, with the rest arriving in the final week of this month, according to Church at the Park founding pastor DJ Vincent.
“They (microrefuges) come from Silverton and Portland Road, like the DMV,” Vincent said.
Church at the Park is receiving help from the city’s homeless advocacy teams like ARCHES to provide beds for the homeless population.
Joshua Erickson, chief operating officer of Church at the Park, said all of this outreach is about helping other people find “the best next. “
“In the last year and a half, almost two hundred other people have transitioned to positive destinations. But part of that is possibly one of the UGM programs, a rehabilitation program, a detoxification center. Some of those things aren’t permanent yet, but it’s the most productive thing you can do,” Erickson said.
Every 30 days, citizens will be evaluated to see if they are executing on their case plan and following netpainting standards. As long as progress is made, Church at the Park will continue to paint with them.
“For some people, especially the elderly, it is very difficult to find housing. So, it can take a long time,” Erickson said. I would say that our average (people’s dwell time) is less than 4 months. But we’re doing a 30-day recertification just to make sure we’re really headed towards something. “
Lately there are 3 other microrefuge communities in the city. Village of Hope on Center Street is for adults without children, Portland Road, near Catholic Community Services, is for families, and Turner Road SE is for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24.
On-site trash cans, meals, showers, portable toilets and connection to a gym are provided. The villages are staffed 24 hours a day and are safe.
Erikson and Vincent said they appreciate the community’s help in creating micro-shelters and helped Church at the Park to the city’s homeless population.
For Erickson, laughter is creating the map.
“Every site is different,” said Erickson. Es exclusive and we asked ourselves, ‘Okay, how can we make these paintings here?'”
For more information on microrefuge communities, visit the Church at the Park website.