Heat, Hope & Community: What Summer Means for the Pearl District
Water Relief, Shelter Updates, and How Neighbors are Shaping the Future Together
Summer’s Here — and So Is Our Opportunity to Help! With Portland’s summer in full swing, the heat is more than just an inconvenience — it’s a real danger for many of our neighbors. The good news? Thanks to generous local support, NWCC has an extra supply of bottled water ready to distribute to those most in need.
If you see someone who looks like they could use help, please don’t hesitate to reach out through our Members Portal. A simple act of care — like handing someone water — can truly be life-changing during these hot months.
Image: KOIN 6
Shelter Plans: Where We Are and What’s Next
You’ve probably heard by now: the City is moving forward with plans to open a temporary shelter in our neighborhood — possibly as early as September. This is a complex issue that has sparked passionate conversations across the Pearl District and surrounding communities.
I am working with the city so that if/when they open the shelter, we can mitigate potential issues, so the impact on the community is far less. We have not yet heard an official start date, but it appears that September is the city’s goal.
A sincere thank you to everyone who sent letters to Mayor Wheeler and the Portland City Council. Even if you haven’t heard back, your advocacy was seen. City staffers have taken notice.
These efforts demonstrate that Pearl District residents are closely watching — and that any shelter project in our neighborhood must succeed. There is no room for failure in such a high-visibility, high-impact location.
Here’s what’s happening:
PDNA and NWDA continue to advocate for alternate shelter sites that better align with urban density, services, and safety concerns.
Contact Bruce Studer, President, Pearl District Neighborhood Association (PDNA), and Todd Zarnitz, President, Northwest District Association (NWDA), for more information.
NWCC is in active communication with city leadership, the neighborhood associations, and the nonprofits involved to proactively address concerns and mitigate disruptions, should the shelter proceed.
Read more on our blog Shelter Proposals in the Pearl: What You Need to Know
Looking Ahead: What You Can Do
Whether you’ve lived here for 20 years or just moved in, this community is yours — and we all have a role to play in keeping it safe, healthy, and compassionate.
Together, we can meet the challenges of summer not just with concern, but with action, vision, and hope.
Keep speaking up. Your emails and outreach are working.
Share this blog or our newsletter with neighbors who want to stay informed.
Learn more about the city’s Portland Solutions initiative:
https://www.portland.gov/portland-solutionsQuestions? Connect with me at Chase@nwccpdx.org
Connect with local leaders who are actively involved in this conversation:
Stories from the Street
NWCC is connecting individuals not just to shelter, but to long-term pathways: detox centers, transitional housing, support programs, and resources that help them return to self-sufficiency.
We believe everyone deserves dignity, direction, and a second chance — and we’re here to help make that happen. Read more about real impact in our Stories from the Street.
Accountability Matters
NWCC tracks a variety of monthly metrics with help from our partners and local officials. Additional metrics on the NWCC member page.
