Two community groups that have collaborated on past projects are again working together to address housing needs for homeless people in Portland.

This time, however, they are taking a long-term approach.

Avesta Housing and Preble Street are teaming up on a plan to create “site-based Housing First permanent Housing” at the former Oxford Street Shelter, with 30 to 50 apartments and on-site support services for chronically homeless people.

The project’s goal is to maintain services for the unhoused community in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood on a more permanent basis rather than in a shelter designed to be temporary.