Queer Affinity Village

   The LGBTQ+ population is a group that is at a high risk for experiencing houselessness in their lives. According to The Trevor Project, 28% of LGBTQ+ youth and 38% of transgender youth in the United States will be houseless or experience some kind of housing instability at some point in their lives. This puts these individuals at higher risk for physical harm and mental illness such as depression, self-harm, and attempted suicide. While there are a variety of different factors that contribute to why members of the LGBTQ+ community are disproportionately represented in houseless populations, a majority of these individuals report leaving their previous homes due to abuse or mistreatment they faced because of their queer identities. Because of this, it is important that these individuals have access to housing resources where their identities are openly accepted. 

    In mid-2022, Portland-based nonprofit All Good Northwest took over operations for the Queer Affinity Village, which is an alternative shelter specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals who are experiencing houselessness that began during the pandemic. The Queer Affinity Village, or QA Village for short, consists of 35 sleeping units that include wash rooms, laundry services, and a shared kitchenette. Aside from providing shelter resources, the QA Village is a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ individuals to relieve trauma of all kinds, create connections with fellow queer folks, and form support systems. A variety of social services are also available for residents of the QA Village, such as mental health services, peer support groups, and case management services. 

        Formerly located on SE Water Avenue in Downtown, the Queer Affinity Village relocated to Naito Parkway in Southwest Portland. Amidst this move, The QA Village made a transition from an emergency shelter resource to a more permanent housing option for queer, unhoused Portland residents. Following this transition period, September of 2022 was also when All Good Northwest took over Village operations from the Joint Office of Homeless Services. 

    

     If you or someone you know is interested in joining the waitlist for the Queer Affinity Village, you can do that online here: Queer Affinity Village Waitlist Contact or by calling All Good Northwest at (971) 380 - 7592. For more information on the QA Village as a whole, you can visit their website through this link: Queer Affinity Village. or on the City of Portland's website here: https://www.portland.gov/ryan/queer-affinity-qa-village-2185-sw-naito-parkway