Portland's family shelter overstretched

Press Herald - Portland’s shelter for homeless families is being stretched beyond capacity by an influx of new arrivals – especially asylum-seeking immigrants – combined with a housing crunch that is hindering the city’s ability to move families out of the shelter system. Portland social services officials have been forced to house several families in overflow spaces, such as administrative offices converted at night into makeshift sleeping quarters, because the city’s 36-unit family shelter and three standby hotel rooms have been full for several weeks. Meanwhile, several churches and individuals are trying to build a coalition of host families willing to provide temporary housing and other assistance when demand outstrips space in city shelters.