211info.org

 

Give the gift of Charity this Holiday Season

211info is a community-based nonprofit organization funded by state and municipal contracts, foundations, United Ways, donations and community partners in Oregon and Southwest Washington. 

It empowers communities by helping people identify, navigate and connect with the local resources they need. They provide assessment services for homeless families in Multnomah County.

       Child Care & Parenting Contact Center Coordination Center Emergency Management Food  Health Housing & ShelterMoney, Debt, & Taxes Resource Department Utility Assistance Donations & Volunteering

Winter & Severe Weather Shelters

    211 started out as a nonprofit contact center in 1980. Originally it was a crisis line, and has transformed into a service providing callers with referrals to basic needs programs such as food, shelter, health care and more. They provide services in all of the areas listed above. 
    Housing and shelter assistance can be easily accessible through 211info. They partner with Coordinated Entry, Family Shelter Access, and Rent Well. The resources that can be provided to those in need is just a phone call away. Keeping those less fortunate in mind is necessary, especially now.   Gathering as much information about these types of services and available outreach is really useful knowledge to have. 
    These programs are life saving, and need our support. Don't have the time, but you want to help promote equity and help make a difference. Service through donation during the holidays is one way to give back. Struggling to think of gift ideas, give a donation under a family member or friend's name. This is a one of a kind opportunity to give the true spirit of the season to another this holiday. Start Holiday Donations today!

Anti-homeless Architecture

 

For homeless people, finding a dry, unused spot to sit or lay for a few hours can be the only opportunity to get some rest. Aside from homeless shelters which fill up quickly and are usually overcrowded, there are few options for those living on the streets as it is. Still, some property owners and city planning committees have begun utilizing new strategies to push the homeless away from the areas that they tend to use most.

Often referred to as “hostile architecture” or “defensive design,” many cities have begun to see an increase in layout and landscaping designed specifically to restrict and exclude certain uses or groups of people from public spaces. One of the most common uses for this type of design is to deny loitering or even just general use by the homeless. In many cases, hostile architecture is intentionally designed to blend-in and be unnoticed by those who are unaffected by it, but chances are you have personally witnessed many examples of it in public spaces whether you knew it’s true purpose at the time or not. There are all sorts of different strategies used to make areas unusable to the homeless, from strategically placed planters and boulders to literal bars and spikes sectioning areas off and making it impossible to lay down comfortably.

The biggest problem with this sort of design is that it doesn’t generally benefit anyone. Hostile architecture is a band-aid solution for property owners and urban planners to push the homeless out of sight, but it doesn’t actually do anything to decrease the homeless population. Further, most of the strategies used actually make the spaces less convenient for regular use as well, ultimately creating an uninviting atmosphere and environment. For example, one of the most common uses of hostile architecture to dissuade usage by the homeless are bars or “armrests” retrofitted onto park benches so that it’s impossible to lay across the whole bench and get some rest. More hostile examples include gaps between walls and awnings so that rain can pour onto the areas a homeless person might sleep, or even spikes installed directly into the ground so that they can’t sit or lay in the area. There are countless strategies employed by users of hostile architecture to “solve” the problem of homeless loitering, but at the end of the day, none of them are actually solving anything; they’re just hoping to push it out of view so that they don’t have to think about it. This practice should be considered both inhumane and wasteful. Using funding and resources to intentionally make homeless people’s lives even more difficult, rather than to help lift them out of their difficult situation is counterproductive to improving the human condition.

 To see more examples of hostile design strategies and read more about the topic, click here.

Food for Thought: Food Insecurity in the Land of Waist

As the housing crisis increases the cost of living and in turn the rate of homelessness in Oregon, food insecurity also increases. Food insecurity is a bland euphemism for a critical problem. According to Oregon’s Hunger Task Force, 1 in 4 Oregonians are food insecure, a problem that is especially prevalent among Portland's large homeless community. The Unites States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food required to achieve a healthy life.

Because most homeless individuals lack access to safe food storage, they rely mostly on nonperishable options. Often these items are high in fat, low in fiber, and lack the required daily nutrients. According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, the meals received at shelters are not much healthier, as most donations are nonperishable, many homeless are left to struggle with malnutrition. It might seem homeless individuals would be at risk of being underweight, after all, we see stereotypes portrayed in media of severely thin and emaciated individuals. However, because of a limited access to healthy food and an increased reliance on cheap foods; homeless are at a high risk of obesity and related comorbidity. A study conducted by Harvard University found that 57% of chronically homeless adults were malnourished leading to obesity. 

According to the American Medical Association Obesity is associated with an approximately 25% increased risk for mental health disorders. Furthermore, Research conducted by BioMed Central, indicates that individuals experiencing food insecurity are far more likely to suffer from adverse mental health. Food insecure individuals are 257 percent more likely to suffer anxiety, and 253 percent more likely to face depression. Multnomah County's 2019 Point-in-time count of Homelessness study found that 38.5% of people experiencing homelessness are suffering from mental illness, and 37.5% from substance abuse disorders largely due to severe depression. 

According to KGW, Portland's struggle with mental illness among homeless creates concern for rising crime and violence in neighborhoods with the largest prevalence of homeless individuals. These higher levels of crime cause concern among sheltered residents resulting in police sweeps of homeless camps further displacing homeless individuals.

Americans waist $218 billion of perfectly edible food each year, among the most discarded items are dairy and produce. Donating healthy foods to your local food bank may not seem like a big contribution but can have an enormous impact on the mental and physical health of homeless individuals living food insecure. According to Feeding America, the items food banks need the most but receive the least are milk, fresh fruit, fresh or frozen vegetables, and lean meats.


The Oregon food bank has five main locations, click here to find a location near you to donate today.

Portland's Extreme Heat Wave

 

We all remember the record hitting temperatures during last summer. This wasn’t like any typical summer for us here in Portland. Sure, we have had hot summers, but this was different. It was a sweltering, suffocating heat. Walking outside was already difficult enough. Combine that with walking to your car only to find that you can’t sit in the vehicle for more than a couple of minutes without the air turned on. A heat so strong living everyday life became even more difficult.

Those who did not have air in their homes were struggling and suffocating just like those who were living on the street. The “Tower Fan'' and the “Oscillating Fan’ just aren't cutting it anymore. According to Grist.org “at least 71 people are confirmed or suspected to have died of heat related causes in Multnomah County.” According to the article this is the total number of deaths during the heat wave. However, Adam Mahoney states in his article that it is unclear how many of these deaths occurred among people who were experiencing homelessness.

While that was just one statistic. We don’t know if these 71 people were homeless or if they were at home simply lacking the ability to have air conditioning. Most Portland Homes were built when the climate was more adequate and less temperamental. However, due to climate change, we are finding that even most homes, apartment buildings, and townhouses, are without AC. The landlords were either unprepared for such heat, lacking the funds, or were simply negligent.

Now combine this horrible situation with someone who lacks shelter and is being forced to live on the street due to a plethora of reasons. They could have recently been struggling with paying their rent and have been evicted. They are now on the street and exposed to the elements. According to Mahoney, and his interview with Portland resident Scott Kerman ``If we are going to have colder winters and hotter summers then we have to be prepared for people who are unhoused or poorly housed continuing to die.” Where do the houseless go when we are reaching record temperatures in summer? Where do they go when the city is frozen over? Homeless shelters can only hold so many people. When there is no more room left, where are people left to turn?

These are questions we need to ask ourselves, and points we need to bring up to our city council. However, on the bright side there are some things being done to combat climate change and being houseless. Many of you around town have probably seen the little compounds of tiny homes being set up around town. The city is beginning to set up houseless villages with electricity and heating. The New York Post reported on this, “The homeless will be granted access to the camp if they’re given referrals from first responders, social or homeless services and park rangers.” Not only will these camps offer housing to those who are in need, but this simple action of setting up tiny home camps around town could possibly save lives.

In short people should not be dying because of heat waves, or the neglect of landlords unwilling to install central AC. The year is 2021 when living in a home we are past the age of having no AC. Having AC installed in homes as well as having space for the houseless to shelter from the elements are a much-needed necessity. The Houseless villages are a small step in the right direction. One can only hope that speaking up and getting out there can put us on the right track. It’s got to be better than sitting back and accepting the circumstances, right?

If you'd like to learn more about Portland's Heat Wave Please click here. If you'd like to donate or volunteer to help those in need at Portland Rescue Mission click here.

Cites Credited:

COVID left Portland’s homeless population in crisis mode. Then the heat wave hit

Portland to set up homeless villages with electricity and heating

Housing is Healthcare

 

Like many of the major cities across the country, Portland is experiencing a housing market imbalance resulting from an increased demand for housing unmatched by the supply. Currently, home ownership feels out of reach for all but the wealthiest. With an influx of wealthy families paying unprecedented amounts above home value, gentrification leads to a loss of affordable housing. The US Census Bureau reported that since 2010 Portland’s median rent has increased more than 57% and the median house price has skyrocketed from $242,000 to $539,000, growing at more than double the national rate. Consequently, lower income families, many of which are BIPOC households, are inequitably forced into displacement and homelessness. 

There are many forms of homelessness but whether an individual lives on the streets, in a shelter, or in a transitional housing program, homelessness creates dramatic economic and public health repercussions. 

Homeless individuals face tremendous barriers to health care. While they suffer from the same illnesses as others, they do so in higher rates, according to The National Alliance to End Homelessness, homeless individuals are up to six times more likely to have the illness. Lack of insurance, safety, and access to care results in thousands of deaths from preventable illnesses. Studies conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that homeless individuals typically have much shorter life expectancy, dying up to 30 years sooner than those with housing. Furthermore, homeless suffer higher rates of cancer, birth defects,  infant mortality, mental health disorders, asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. 

The impact of homelessness is severe to all who suffer it, but the impact on children is detrimental and lifelong. Homeless children face constant daily hardships and harsh living conditions. The stress of poverty can delay a child’s brain development with long-term consequences on physical and mental health. According to The Family Housing Fund, children who are homeless are four times more likely to show major developmental delays or have a learning disability; lifelong effects that follow them into adulthood impacting their chances to succeed academically and financially. The social impact is clear, children are the future workers and leaders of our communities. Thus, there will be an economic impact if a large proportion have not had access to education, health, or a safe environment in which to grow and learn. 

Housing has a direct tie to health and in turn, the education and economic prosperity of our community. Familiarity with local programs can help us all to participate in the continued betterment of our community. 

Click here to learn more about Portland’s community efforts to increase health access for the homeless. 

The Misconceptions of Homelessness and the Homeless

Like many things in this world, we humans like to generalize and paint things in black and white which often leads to a misguided understanding of reality. This is especially true with how our society understands homelessness and the perception of the homeless. Thought as lazy, uneducated and unwilling to better themselves, too often homeless individuals are seen as irredeemable and sometimes even a threat to modern society. But in reality, they are an outcome of modern economics.

Here are some common misconceptions about homelessness and the homeless.

People who are homeless are addicts

• In fact according to Homeless Hub, the percentage of homeless people that are experiencing addiction is comparable to the general population

Homeless don’t take advantage of the services and support provided to them

• The reality of these services is that they are focused on emergency services, such as shelters and food banks, that help these people survive rather than help them escape the cycle of poverty and homelessness

Homeless people should just get a job

• Interestingly enough, Council for the Homeless revealed that a nation-wide study showed that roughly 40% - 60% of homeless people are employed. Often the challenge is not only getting a job, but keeping the job long-term. Also a single job in most cases is not enough to break the homelessness cycle.

There is nothing I can do about homelessness/ it can’t be solved

• The Borgen Project highlights how Finland decreased their homelessness rates by nearly 40% due to “individually tailored solutions, affordable housing, policy changes and local support”. Change can happen through inspiring community effort and supporting holistic policy changes regarding housing in our society.

The reality of homelessness is that it affects demographics that you wouldn’t expect (children) and economically costs taxpayers. A Sierra Sun article illustrates how providing permanent housing for homeless people actually saves taxpayer money through less frequent hospitalizations, use of emergency care services, fewer police interventions and decreasing incarceration rates. Not to mention lowering cleanup costs and the sheer volume of services offered to this large community.

Getting involved, pushing for policy change and inspiring community efforts should not only appeal to us because it helps more people find a place to live but also alleviates many societal problems that this housing crisis has caused.

Our society demonizes homeless people and hyper focuses on the individual rather than the societal context that has led to so many to be without the means to have a place of their own. In order to solve an issue like homelessness, a broader approach that addresses housing inequality in our society will be required.

        

RENT WELL

"Get the Keys, Keep the Keys."

    Permanent housing interventions have increased dramatically in the past 5 years. This is not to say that homelessness is getting better. It is saying that people are coming up with some thoughtful, sustainable, and truly equitable solutions for those in need. What if safety didn't just mean a shelter. 

What if it meant the safety of your own home? 

    This is possible, and the agency that is providing it is expanding! 

    Introducing Rent Well, a program of Transition Projects, based in Portland Oregon. Rent Well is a powerful and life changing course for those with housing struggles and barriers, that focuses on renter education and success. Graduating from this fifteen week course provides people with the confidence, skills, portfolio, step by step assistance and facilitation with finding a place they can call home.  

     This is Karen. She is a transgender women that struggles with mental illness and was homeless for over ten years before she found help through Rent Well. She graduated from the program and has been living in her very own apartment for over 15 months. She has never been happier.

👀

    

     Rent Well is not only looking for those seeking housing, but offers a thorough instructor training course to nonprofits, publicly funded agencies, and governmental organizations, with housing focused mission statements. The goal is for Rent Well to be easily accessible, with numerous instructors to provide this life changing program. 

    Rent Well feels so confident in this program, and their graduates, that it offers a Landlord Incentive Fund. This fund acts as insurance and provides the property manager with a financial guarantee beyond the security deposit if something should happen. Since 2009 only 1% of landlords have had to access these funds. Its success has been outstanding, and soon it will be expanding to an online format, so it can be offered to many more who need it. Currently rentwell.org offers the most up to date information for renters, future instructors, and potential landlords. Is Rent Well available in your county? If not, then why? This program has the amazing potential to not only change lives but also communities.

Frozen In Rose City

Portland freezing over during the winter months is something most try to prepare for but globally changing weather patterns are making it unpredictable. 

In 2020, Power was knocked out for 6 days, Transit frozen in its tracks, resources limited as businesses struggled to open and operate. In 2021, with homeless rising due to Covid more people have been outplaced onto the streets to freeze this year as well.

 People without power were devastated and it was hard. Imagine, though, if you didn’t even have a roof over your head? Then what? Many Homeless people were stranded and braved the cold as they couldn’t make it to any emergency shelter. Sadly, Deaths were reported when makeshift fires to stay warm burned down some encampments. Some didn’t have information about community resources in order to stay warm. I believe it’s very important to know options as we’ve seen Rose City has unpredictable weather. Nobody should be left out in the cold. 

For More Information Click The Link Below: Stay Warm & Stay Safe 

https://www.multco.us/care-when-its-cold/warming-shelters-and-homelessness