Bethanie's Room accommodates 75 homeless women in its new, overnight shelter
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
Blanchet House has officially opened Bethanie’s Room, a meticulously planned overnight shelter for as many as 75 homeless women. Guests will sleep on new mattresses in new beds with new linens. Amenities include a light evening meal, morning breakfast of pastry and coffee, five bathrooms, community sitting area and ample storage.
Planners researched trauma-informed principles to assure safety, dignity and rest. Bethanie’s Room will operate 365 days a year from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Professionals will be present at all times to help guests connect to services for long-term, safe and stable housing. Some staff are former guests of Blanchet House, also trained to provide resources and peer counseling. Security is on site. Pets are allowed.
Four out of 10 unsheltered people in Portland are women, according to the city of Portland. Although some experts consider homelessness to be in a downturn nationally, it is an crucial issue in Portland. Even 24-hour and overnight shelters for men have had long waiting lists.
Overnight shelters have only recently been available to unhoused women. That means that, for decades, women either slept overnight in doorways or stayed awake, walking around or sitting up in a space they hoped would keep them warm and safe in an environment that is often frightening and violent.
Bethanie’s Room is named in memoriam for a Blanchet House guest, who died on the streets of Old Town in 2024. Bethanie was 41 and suffered for years from mental illness. She was an artist, singer and musician with a degree in music therapy. At the time of her death, there were no overnight emergency shelters in Portland for women.
To achieve the goals of safety, dignity and rest, planners considered every element of an emergency shelter for women. A lighting system controls soft illumination and dimming to create a sense of calm. The 75 beds and linens are donated by Mattress Firm and the National Women’s Shelter Network. There are five rollaway or ADA-accessible cots, distinguishing Bethanie’s Room as one of the only shelters in the region to provide them. Five bathrooms have an emergency light and alarm system.
During the day, guests may store their belongings, including bicycles and carts when they leave the shelter at 8 a.m. until they return. They receive hygiene supplies. They can select warm clothing and footwear from the clothes closet.
All Bethanie’s Room guests will receive a light evening meal and a breakfast of pastry and coffee. Nearby, Blanchet House offers three hot meals a day and Rose Haven Day Center for Women and Kids offers showers and laundry services.
Blanchet House operates Bethanie's Room on private donations. There is no public funding.
In an homage to her love of art, an expansive wall mural captures attention in carefully selected colors and flowers, created by Oui Design. Guests at Blanchet Farm built a line of large planters in the wood shop. They also built the reception counter, desk and tables.
Bethanie’s Room is located at 1015 N.W. 17th Ave. at N.W. Lovejoy. Women age 18 and older may arrive at 7 p.m. for the intake process or leave a voice mail message at 971-358-7774 or email bethaniesroom@blanchethouse.org.
Donations can be made online or by mail for Bethanie’s Room and Blanchet House.
