Motel Shelter Program

The impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us. Families and individuals who were homeless going into the pandemic were put at greater risk of contracting the virus due to challenges with social distancing and lack of access to critical protective and cleaning products. Many families and individuals who have never experienced homelessness before have lost work, fallen behind on rent, and faced the realities of becoming homeless in the midst of an international pandemic. We are hearing every day from people who need help, and need help now — that's why we created the Emergency COVID-19 Relief Shelter Program.

In March of 2020 when Covid hit we moved our guests out of our rotational host sites and into local motels with kitchenettes so they could shelter in place safely. While the shelter options diminished, our local city and county leaders sought ways to shelter those at highest risk of Covid-19. By expanding the system we already had in place, Family Promise of Tualatin Valley is now providing 15 rooms of shelter to those who need it most. Our community partners are graciously providing food assistance to all of our guests.  

FPTV's volunteers have played a critical role in supporting our guests by providing food deliveries throughout our guests' time at the motel. Our church and civic partners are serving their host weeks by gathering food donations for our current program participants and our graduate families (when needed) and making deliveries to the motel and Day Center. Our Day Center is currently serving as a food pantry in addition to hosting our staff offices. 

We have already provided thousands of shelter bed nights and meals to program guests along with comprehensive case management plans to move folks back into housing. We expect to serve 50 households each year, with over 80% finding their new homes along the way. ​