Weeks before a union ballot count at Portland homeless services provider All Good NW, the nonprofit organization decided to shut down one of three three tiny house villages it operates.
Michael Rainey, a union supporter at Old Town Village, confirmed to the Labor Press that the site is slated to shut down in June. Management cited safety concerns in the Old Town neighborhood as reason for the closure. Getting All Good NW to take greater responsibility for safety is also a key reason workers want a union. Staff and about half of the Old Town Village residents will be able to move to All Good’s new tiny house site in Multnomah Village, Rainey said. Workers are trying to find alternate housing for the residents who can’t come to the new site, he said.
The Old Town site was the subject of multiple Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) complaints in late 2021 and early 2022. Those led OSHA to find violations and assess a $2,190 fine.
Workers at the Old Town site and two others started a union campaign in April, looking to affiliate with AFSCME. Votes will be counted June 2.
It’s been an active few weeks for All Good: Besides the Old Town shutdown, the organization relocated Queer Affinity Village from Southeast to Southwest Portland and opened a 120-bed housing shelter on Southeast Market Avenue.Â
