South Salem couple says “yes, in my backyard” with microshelter

Cindel Mikesell, left, with her cat Natty, are living in a microshelter at the home of Lisa Arana and Brenda Chandler, right, in south Salem (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Brenda Chandler and Lisa Arana are used to opening their home to strangers.

The south Salem couple has made a habit of hosting people in need of a place to stay over the years – a Nicaraguan asylum seeker, and others temporarily down on their luck.

So…