Multnomah County and Shelter Provider in Rocky Split

Spending a morning with Brad Ketch at Rockwood Community Development Corp. in the Rockwood area of Gresham, Oregon, gives a glimpse into his commitment to supporting vulnerable families. However, allegations of financial impropriety have cast a shadow over his work.

Multnomah County accuses Ketch of submitting unauthorized expenses and inflating costs at the family shelter he manages. The county claims that he billed for rooms that were unavailable due to repairs, overcharged for maintenance, and hired a contractor owned by one of his employees. Consequently, the county suspended payments for 50 rooms at Rockwood Tower, a former Best Western purchased by Rockwood CDC with a $7 million grant in 2021.

Despite these accusations, Ketch, 63, refutes them adamantly. He states that the county altered the terms of their agreement and then targeted him unjustly. Moreover, Ketch asserts that Rockwood CDC ended the partnership because the county owed $1.1 million in overdue payments for housing families in crisis. According to Ketch, the county’s reluctance to fund a safe and sustainable program led to the breakdown of their collaboration.

The clash between Ketch and the county exemplifies the larger issue of oversight concerning the county’s contractors responsible for housing homeless individuals, providing job training, substance abuse treatment, and other social services. County officials have faced criticism since 2024 when an audit exposed significant deficiencies in contracting practices. Outdated policies and lax monitoring of nonprofit organizations highlighted the need for stricter supervision.

In the case of Rockwood CDC, the county has taken a firm stance following allegations of financial irregularities. County staff publicly disclosed the accusations, emphasizing their duty to use taxpayer dollars responsibly. Rockwood Tower residents were notified to vacate the premises, impacting 40 families. The shelter is a vital resource, accommodating nearly half of the county’s family-shelter occupants with larger rooms capable of housing entire families.

Since its inauguration in 2021, Rockwood Tower has aided 449 families totaling 1,194 members, providing over 634,014 meals and assisting 178 families in transitioning to permanent housing. Ketch, a Wheaton College and Kellogg School of Management graduate, embarked on a unique career trajectory from the corporate sphere to running a family shelter. His experiences, including leading a tech company and overseeing a poverty-focused nonprofit in the Philippines, eventually led him to establish Rockwood CDC in 2013.

Rockwood CDC’s comprehensive approach covers various aspects of poverty, from nutrition to homeownership and language instruction programs. Ketch’s wife and son are also actively involved in the organization, reflecting their dedication to community service. Rockwood Tower, the flagship initiative, offers warm and welcoming accommodation for homeless families, complete with recreational areas and amenities.

Despite the earlier success of the partnership between Multnomah County and Rockwood CDC, tensions arose during a financial review in 2024. Subsequently, the county imposed new requirements on Rockwood CDC, causing strain in their collaboration. The ongoing dispute underscores the challenges of ensuring accountability and transparency in public-private partnerships aimed at alleviating homelessness and poverty within communities.