From the increase in Winters Shelters in Hillsboro to Beaverton’s year-round shelter, there are better options out there now. Additionally, several City of Hillsboro and County services have come together to support individuals with mental health needs, addiction services, job placement, and long-term housing. Hillsboro’s 75-bed year-round shelter is on track to provide housing for an additional 75 people, which will have a significant impact as our community continues to face these trying times. The biggest challenge will be maintaining options in 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. The graph line of the Point In Time Count for 2025 is leading North, and that is not good. There is also a slight increase in the number of unsheltered people.
Notice that the number of people documented as Homeless has increased by 167 over the past two years, but the unhoused numbers have increased by only a small amount. That is a positive outcome. However, we still have more work to do, as any increase is undesirable. It is very enlightening to read.
In Hillsboro, many of us have noticed the concentration of campers in the areas around OHSU Westside, which was formerly known as Tuality. The Block 67 area has also seen an increase. In the News released today, the City has revised and restricted additional areas around the hospital and Project Homeless Connect, which is on 6th Street between Oak and Baseline. This means that camping (from Dusk to Dawn) is restricted in these areas, and a portion of Block 67 that was previously open to camping is no longer allowing it. This is the area that the City of Hillsboro’s news release indicates has been further restricted.
Click Here for the online version: https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/Home/Components/News/News/16648/4300
News & Announcements
Homelessness: Camping Areas Updated in Downtown Hillsboro
Overnight camping will no longer be permitted in two identified areas of Downtown Hillsboro, pictured below, starting on July 1. These updates are in alignment with the City of Hillsboro’s camping rules.
During a quarterly review, the two areas were identified as being located within restricted zones. Proactive community outreach is underway, and enforcement will begin July 1.
The impacted areas include:
- The 600 Block of SE Baseline Street between 6th and 7th Avenue and SE Washington Street and surrounding public right-of-ways.
- Public right-of-ways within 500 feet of shelters and homelessness services located on the 100 & 300 Blocks of SE 6th Avenue.
View the full size map of impacted areas.
The City of Hillsboro recognizes that this change may impact camping activity in other locations. The creation and enforcement of camping rules will not provide a solution to homelessness or reduce the amount of people living outside.
Allowed Public Camping Areas
Subject to time, place, and manner restrictions, areas where camping may be allowed are indicated on the interactive public camping map, which will be updated on July 1.
Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions
The City has rules for where, when and how people may camp on public property. These time, place, and manner restrictions continue to preserve Hillsboro’s livability while recognizing the needs of community members living unsheltered.
- Camping is allowed overnight from 7 pm to 7 am.
Among other restricted areas, camping is not permitted within:
- Residential zones
- City parks
- 10 feet of business doorways or any driveway
- 500 feet of K-12 schools and homelessness services
Among other restrictions, camping may not:
- Block sidewalks, bike baths, or fire hydrants
- Leave behind litter or waste
- Cause fire hazards
Please visit our Camping Rules webpage for the full guidelines.
Managing Impacts
The City is proactively sharing this information with community members experiencing homelessness through Police, Fire & Rescue, Library, and Parks & Recreation staff, and is reaching out to community partners and outreach teams to help us raise awareness.
We will continue to work together to connect community members living unsheltered with services and resources, including shelters and day centers.
In the coming weeks, the interactive camping map, informational handouts, and the City’s Camping Rules webpage will be updated, and new signage will be posted at the 600 Block of SE Baseline Street.
As homelessness continues to increase nationwide and locally, the City of Hillsboro is collaborating on compassionate & proven solutions to reduce impacts, including increasing shelter capacity.
Construction on Hillsboro’s future year-round shelter is well underway. In partnership with Washington County, the shelter will provide safe sleeping spaces and wrap-around services for up to 75 adults experiencing homelessness and is expected to open by the end of the year.
Your Questions Answered
What resources are available for people living unsheltered?
- Community members can find day centers & areas where overnight camping may be allowed on our interactive public camping map.
- Overnight shelter accommodations may be requested by contacting Community Connect at 503-640-3263 or CommunityConnect@CAOWash.org.
- Help from 211 resource specialists can be accessed 24/7 by dialing 211 or 1-866-698-6155.
- Information on food pantries, utility & rent assistance, affordable housing resources, and more is available on the City’s Community Resources webpage.
What should I do if people are camping in violation of the adopted time, place, and manner restrictions?
To report camping not in compliance with the City’s rules, please call Washington County Non-Emergency Dispatch at 503-629-0111.
For the Hillsboro Police Department, Hillsboro City Manager’s Office, and community partners, the current focus is to provide education and services to community members living unsheltered rather than issue penalties. Learn more on our Camping Rules webpage.
I’m concerned about mental health issues and drug use in the community. What is the City doing to work on these issues?
If you believe someone is in a crisis related to mental health and/or addiction, call Washington County’s Crisis Line at 503-291-9111. If there is immediate, life-threatening danger, dial 911.
The City of Hillsboro recognizes that there are gaps in mental health care and addiction treatment both nationally and locally.
The City of Hillsboro works to connect people to Washington County’s county-wide mental health and addiction services system. To add capacity, the County is developing a new Center for Addiction Triage and Treatment (CATT) with additional treatment beds, a peer drop-in center, and many other services. The CATT’s Hillsboro Recovery Center located at 5250 NE Elam Young Parkway opened to provide services on June 2.
How were allowed camping areas selected?
The City did not directly choose specific areas where camping is allowed.
Instead, the City created a list of areas where camping will not be allowed, with considerations for:
- Community feedback & community engagement, including Camping Ordinance Workgroup recommendations
- Safety (not allowed near roads with high-speed limits)
- Accessible locations (near public transportation)
- Leaving adequate space for all people who do not have shelter
The Workgroup and City staff also worked to ensure that the overall camping rules are objectively reasonable. By identifying areas where camping is not allowed, the City was able to identify allowed locations. View the Camping Areas Map.
Visit Engage Hillsboro to learn more about how the Camping Rules were created.
Contact Us
For questions related to homelessness, camping rules, behavioral health, and neighborhood livability, please email us.
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Learn More
- Hillsboro’s Homelessness Initiatives
- Shelters in Hillsboro
- Year-Round Shelter Project
- Washington County Emergency Shelters
- Washington County Day Centers & Homeless Resources
Ok so just a little confused. So only the small corner of block 67 is allowed for camping and then starting July 1st none of block 67 will be allowed for camping, is that correct?
Yes, that is my understanding. There are not many other changes – maybe a few right of way areas are effected. What this did really was square off some areas that were previously left off by the circles- I am not sure how much this will help, but it was a guesture that the city is making towards a growing number of business owners in that area who have been so highly effected – they have been coming into City Council and begging for help!