In Portland there has to be a change in perception of the homeless citizens because as of now most view homeless in homogenized terms. In these communities People of Color are often the most present but they have the least amount of representation. According to a 2018 Multnomah County news release on homelessness “People of color now make up 38.1 percent of the count, even though they are only 29.5 percent of Multnomah County’s population.”. The effects of institutional racism and lack of shelter combine for harsh realities for the homeless minorities of Portland but all's not lost. Transition Projects Inc, a Local development company, has been an innovator in finding suitable shelter for POC residents through the use of the community based modular housing units. Each building provides all the necessities to wash clothes, medical care and guidance seeking long term housing all for free for those that apply. According to the Transition Projects 2019 data states that “1,200 people will obtain permanent housing...of people placed into permanent housing 41% will be people of color”. This progress shows that these resources are reaching those who need it the most and that there is a sustainable effort to housing POC. The fact remains these types of buildings are limited and on any given night there can still be upwards of 2000 people left sleeping unsheltered. Transition Project Inc is always accepting help from those in the community willing to make a change. For those in Portland this means changing how you view shelters and their benefit to the Minorities. During this pandemic there are those in need that we all can help even from our homes by donating at Transition Projects. Know that this is a community based effort that strives on one idea providing housing to every individual possible.
By Nick Garza
https://www.tprojects.org/how-to-help
Work Cited
No comments:
Post a Comment