Do Good Multnomah Purchases Former North Portland Hotel

Do Good Multnomah has purchased a former North Portland hotel with plans to open a 17-bed recovery shelter to better serve veterans experiencing homelessness. With the help of a Multnomah County loan, Do Good Multnomah was able to buy the Kenton Hotel on North Interstate Avenue to serve as a recovery shelter for veterans.

The facility, which is planned to open in late 2025, will prioritize creating a supportive space for veterans who are currently in recovery from substance use disorders or are wanting to begin their recovery journey. The program will be called The Thayer Family Foundation Veterans Shelter, named for a local charitable foundation focused on veteran projects who donated funds to support the purchase.

The project fills a gap identified by Do Good Multnomah staff and shelter participants, who have expressed a need for a shelter designed to support veterans who are both experiencing homelessness and recovering from substance use disorders.

“There isn’t anything like this out there right now,” said Matthew Harvey, U.S. Navy veteran and a Do Good Multnomah case manager, who has himself previously experienced homelessness in multiple states. “Recovery beds are very few and far between. Having a recovery community, especially one that’s veteran-centered, is something that would have changed everything for me when I was going through my struggles. We’re building a space that’s been so needed and the Do Good community has been ready for.”

“Veterans experiencing homelessness deserve a shelter that meets their needs for support and recovery. We’re excited Do Good is making this vision a reality,” Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said. “This place will transform lives — providing a safe place for veterans to find stability and hope, alongside peers who truly understand what they’re going through.”

The shelter will be open 24/7 for participants and offer structured, clean and sober programming and support, helping each participant build the skills and community connections needed to succeed in stable housing. 

The shelter will be staffed with a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, along with peer wellness specialists and recovery mentors.

Do Good Multnomah will provide a range of services directly on-site, including case management to help participants meet their individual goals, such as accessing health care and obtaining necessary documents for housing applications like identification cards, Social Security cards, and birth certificates. The organization will also offer support and expertise to assist participants in working toward permanent housing goals, including help with applications and connections to resources. Additionally, there will be a food pantry, a pet supply pantry, and a clothing closet available to participants, along with daily dinners provided on-site. Free transportation to all external appointments will be available through TriMet or Lyft, ensuring participants can attend necessary meetings and services. Do Good Multnomah will also offer connections to services provided by partner organizations to further support participants on their path to stability and housing.

“This project is so much more than putting a Band-Aid on veteran homelessness,’’ said Harvey. “We’re creating a place that will change somebody’s life immensely.’’