Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson halted development of a new homeless shelter in the Rockwood section of Gresham to give Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon time to convene local leaders and determine if the site is still the best option for the facility.

The county purchased a former state employment office on Southeast Stark Street at 194th Avenue for $3 million in December 2022 and has used it as a severe weather shelter. In September, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a renovation to turn it into the East County Homelessness Resource Center.

In an interview, Jones-Dixon said he is concerned that Rockwood is shouldering too much of the burden for homeless services. There are already three county-supported shelters in the neighborhood, where the quality of life h

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