Fallout Spreads From Rockwood Tower

Multnomah County is scrambling to replace shelter space after cutting ties with East County Housing LLC over accounting discrepancies at Rockwood Tower, a former Best Western in Gresham converted to family shelter with a $6.8 million state grant. The contractor, founded by former tech executive Brad Ketch, lost the property to foreclosure by WaFD Bank after losing its county shelter contract, forcing the displacement of homeless families who had been housed there. County Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon announced plans to use a Days Inn & Suites on Southeast Stark Street fell through due to financing issues, leaving the county without immediate replacement shelter capacity.