Multnomah County Provides $1.5 Million Emergency Funding to Save Bybee Lakes Shelter

Multnomah County has approved a $1.5 million bailout to keep the Bybee Lakes Hope Center, a homeless shelter located at the former Wapato Jail, open through the end of the year. The county chair initially offered $808,000 but eventually agreed to the higher amount after negotiations. The shelter's board of directors stated that $1.5 million is the minimum needed to sustain operations. The funding comes with stipulations, including the creation of a financial recovery plan and fiscal monitoring. Some county commissioners are advocating for additional funding to expand the shelter's capacity.