2026-09-08 · housing
A lifeline for Oregon mothers battling addiction is going away
Central City Concern said it will close the Letty Owings Center, a Portland residential facility where women recover from drug addiction while living with their babies, at the end of October, along with its attached transitional housing facility, Laura's Place. CCC president Dr. Andy Mendenhall estimated that no more than 150 beds exist statewide where children can live with mothers receiving treatment, including the 29 at Letty Owings. CCC's closure announcement cited a 52% increase in the program's operating costs over five years while funding opportunities decreased, and said no other provider was found to take over the program.
Central City Concern's closure announcement sets an effective date of October 31, 2026; the center opened in 1989 and paused new admissions in July.