Oregon Public Broadcasting

Construction has begun on a new daytime center for people living on Portland's streets. April Baer reports the Resource Access Center is a first-of-its kind project for Oregon.

The road to the groundbreaking was long and sometimes messy.

Funding got hung up in a dispute over development and tax diversions.  But Commissioner Nick Fish said he was proud to join the mayor and other leaders in what he called a major step forward.

Nick Fish:   "I'm very proud we've reached this day. It was a long time in the planning, but I want to tell people if all we do is show up for the groundbreaking, cut the ribbon, and go home feeling we've solved the problem. we are fooling ourselves."

Fish says solving  homelessness will require all members of the community to take at least some responsibility.

Funding for the center comes from various public and private sources.

The largest piece of the pie is specially-diverted tax revenue from Portland's River District.

The center will offer hot showers; storage lockers; and voicemail to its clients, along with job assistance and addiction treatment counseling.