Pendleton City Council approves emergency declaration to expand warming shelter operations

PENDLETON – Neighbor 2 Neighbor’s warming shelter will be permitted to operate outside of its normal time of year, after the Pendleton City Council approved an emergency declaration at its Tuesday night meeting.

The city opened the council chambers to its larger configuration to accommodate Tuesday’s crowd, most of whom spoke in favor of the declaration and Neighbor 2 Neighbor expanding its services.

Previously, the warming shelter only operated during the winter months when temperatures dropped, giving homeless residents a place to stay warm. The facility will now act as a year-round overnight shelter, having trained staff on volunteers on-site during operating hours, along with meals, showers, restrooms, clothing, phone charging and other essential supplies. It also gives homeless residents an address to receive mail.

Dwight Johnson, a representative with Neighbor 2 Neighbor, said the organization will also act as first point of contact for people seeking additional services including housing, healthcare, and behavioral health.

Johnson said right now the facility off Court Avenue currently has 27 beds available, and that was pretty much at capacity for the current space.

The expanded services were made possible through a grant from CAPECO. When a community member asked if failing to extend the emergency past its initial 90-day window would put the grant in jeopardy, Johnson said the agreement with CAPECO ensures Neighbor 2 Neighbor would not be penalized in that scenario.

Up to three 90-day extensions are allowed for the emergency declaration, meaning the council could keep the declaration active for up to a year.

Photo of Neighbor 2 Neighbor warming center.

---

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

Elkhorn Media Group