HILLSBORO, Ore. (KATU) — A homeless pod village that has been stirring up local residents is set to open Monday in Aloha, Oregon.
The "pods" are ergonomic structures based off the "Tiny Home" idea that provide basic shelter, water, heat and the like for the unhoused.
The village, which sits on the grounds of the Aloha United Methodist Church, has become part of Allen Ballantyne's backyard view.
"Putting a homeless encampment in a frankly, quite geriatric neighborhood.. a lot of old folks and young families living here, right in the middle of that, couldn't seem like a worst idea to me,” Ballantyne said.
Jim Wassgren, who has lived along the same stretch of highway the church sits on for 25 years, is concerned about the unknowns that come with moving a large group of people, like the incoming homeless, to the area.
Many in the area say it is a quiet community, but they fear that can soon change. "People are just nervous. and change does happen,” Wassgren added.
"We've invested in a lot of cameras. We have also purchased a security for the house," Ballantyne said.
There are 30 pods meant to be temporary shelters for the homeless. It is surrounded by wooden fencing and there is only one way in and out.
It will be a low barrier shelter, meaning it will not require drug tests or participation in certain programs.
However, those seeking help must still go through a selective process, says Emily Roots, the public affairs administrator at the Washington County Department of Housing Services.
"Really from there, it's connecting them with the housing case manager which is another way that OpenDoor has really stepped up and connecting them with rental assistance."
She said they have been working with the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Security will be present at all times and camping outside will not be allowed.
I think my message is, anyone who has concerns is to come in [and] to the opening of this program with an open mind," Roots added.In the meantime, neighbors will be keeping a watchful eye.
"Well we're very apprehensive. We constantly hear horror stories about what happens in the other areas and I've been by a few of them and they don't look good," Ballantyne explained. "We're hoping for the best at this location. We've been assured by the county that they have everything under control, but we're very skeptical."
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