Frequently Asked Questions
As your neighbors and community members, we think it’s important to respond to some of the feedback coming in through our volunteers and community groups.
Who is "Safe Rest PDX" ?
“Safe Rest PDX” is literally just the subject of the group and location, as succinctly as possible.
It is made up of a group of neighbors and business owners who live and work in Montavilla. This is our home, and where our livelihoods and lives are, and we care about what is happening in Montavilla.
This group came together when we learned about the county and city’s plans to put transitional projects directly next to our homes and schools, with absolutely no communication.
We are here to give a voice to community concerns and open the lines of communication with local government.
What is your purpose?
We formed to give our concerns, and the concerns of our neighbors a voice. The residents of this neighborhood area are diverse in nationality, background, age, and income level, and all of us deserve representation.
The City of Portland and Multnomah County have a big job ahead of them, that is clear. They have promised a lot of things to us, their constituents, the minimum of which is communication. However, the county and city haven’t been following through.
Quietly, our government has rolled back zoning rules, and slowly voted away agreed upon parameters for these projects — equitable placement, distance from schools, distance from private residences, fencing requirements, etc.
They have also not followed through on promises of communication to communities. We are here to connect Montavilla to the leadership and organizations that are making plans that directly impact this area.
Is this group anti-homeless / houseless?
Absolutely not.
Due to a complete lack of transparency from the city and county, residents have been left without a clue of what’s coming. Leadership of these projects has changed hands multiple times… so unless you know how to navigate local government systems (and even if you do) it is nearly impossible to get questions answers and concerns listened to.
The leadership of this city doesn’t live on your block. They do not share your experiences, or know what this neighborhood has been going through. It is the duty of your government to listen. If their policy making and decisions are not informed by the lived experiences of their constituents, how can they hope to meet the needs of this community?
That is why we are here. The citizens of this area literally live the results of bad policy, disengaged leadership, and poorly executed city and county plans. It’s time for us to use our voice.
Is this group affiliated with the the county / city housing projects?
It is not.
Safe Rest was just the original subject of the group.
The city / county have different names for their transitional projects, some details of which were only released after the formation of this group. We only represent the residents that these projects will be impacting, and are not, and do not claim to be a part of the county or city’s programs.
How is this group funded?
No dark money to see here.
We each chipped in what we could, but this 100% volunteers and donations.
Where is the group based?
This group is all Montavilla-based.
The “business address” is required by law to send out email to any subscribers. We aren’t a business or official entity, since we’re just a group of neighbors. No conspiracy here, just legal mailing list requirements.