Salvation Army Portland women’s shelter to close

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The loss of public funding at one of Portland’s homeless shelters will leave about 80 women needing a new place to stay in late July.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the Salvation Army gave incomplete answers on a new application for taxpayer money, leading to the loss of funding.

The Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter started getting money in 2008 from the city but the Joint Office of Homeless Services, created as the city and Multnomah County consolidated homeless services, devised a more robust application process.

Salvation Army Oregon and Southern Idaho operations CEO Nancy Dihle says officials were unprepared for the rigor of the process and that they hope to be more competitive next time.

The closure won’t reduce the total number of homeless shelter beds, however, as new shelters open this summer and temporary shelters are extended.