Portland Families At Risk? Exploring Homeless Family Statistics

Homelessness remains an ongoing issue that affects families across the nation. In this blog post, we will delve into the concerning increase in the number of homeless families in Portland. By examining the data, we aim to shed light on the challenges faced by these families while maintaining respect and empathy for their situation.

Between 2019 and 2022, Portland experienced a significant increase in the number of homeless families. The data reveals that the count rose from 319 families to a staggering 668 families during this period. These numbers paint a stark picture of the growing issue and emphasize the urgent need for action.The rise in homelessness among families can be attributed to a range of complex factors, including economic instability, lack of affordable housing, and unforeseen events. These circumstances can push families to the brink of homelessness, jeopardizing their stability and well-being.

The increasing number of homeless families in Portland calls for a collective effort from various stakeholders to find effective solutions. It is crucial to approach this topic with empathy and understanding, recognizing that the struggles faced by homeless families often stem from circumstances beyond their control.

By fostering compassion and actively engaging with this issue, we can work towards creating a society where no family has to endure the hardships of homelessness. This entails providing access to safe and affordable housing, comprehensive support services, and opportunities for sustainable employment. Collaborative efforts among government agencies, non-profit organizations, and communities are essential in addressing the underlying causes and providing the necessary support to homeless families.

The alarming increase in the number of homeless families in Portland underscores the urgent need for proactive measures and compassionate support systems. By acknowledging the challenges faced by these families, raising awareness, and working together, we can make a significant difference in their lives. Let us strive for a future where every family in Portland has access to secure housing and the resources they need to thrive.

For more information and statistical references please visit: https://www.multco.us/johs/point-time-counts

By Christian Riley Fuller

 

Why not learn from other cities?

Over the years, Portland’s city government has made great efforts to address homelessness, and some progress has been made. But homelessness remains a serious problem, some measures or plans have also caused great controversy, for example, the public camping ban and establishment of sanctioned campsites. There is an urgent need to learn from the success of other cities and make some policy improvements. Here, I would like to introduce some successful experience of Boston and Houston. 

Boston’s officials are employing what they refer to as a “public health response” to unsheltered homelessness. They are making measurable progress toward resolving encampments through connections to health care, treatment, interim shelter, and permanent homes—not law enforcement and bulldozers. The following are some of their unique and actionable experiences that appear to be applicable to many other cities:

Harm Reduction and “Whole Person” Treatment: Boston’s health care providers and homeless outreach teams used non-judgmental listening to engage people, build their trust, figure out what they needed to lower their risk of dangerous or fatal outcomes (such as overdoses), and personalize a path to recovery. Health care providers are offering a “whole person” approach to treatment: meeting people where they are; attending to primary care and social needs like housing, food, and community; and adapting treatment modalities based on individual needs.

Reimagined Shelters: The city used Emergency Solutions Grants from the CARES Act and State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan to launch three (and eventually four) sites near the encampment that operated as special 24-hour “low-threshold” shelters. Compared to other shelters in the city, these offered more privacy (with no more than a few residents in each room), more freedom (residents could come and go as they wanted), and more empathy for the realities of addiction (substance use was not allowed in the facility but outside use did not expel them from the shelter).

Housing: To move people quickly into permanent housing, the city used Emergency Housing Vouchers from the American Rescue Plan, Emergency Solutions Grants from the CARES Act, Housing Choice Vouchers from Boston Housing Authority, and a revamped coordinated-entry system. New permanent supportive housing is being developed that will serve as another option for former encampment residents.

Boston is demonstrating that it is possible to get people off the streets and into shelter and housing with a proactive public health approach rather than an aggressive approach driven by law enforcement.

Houston’s The Way Home continuum is managed by the Coalition for the Homeless, with the city, counties and various partners operating with a shared goal. All funding, including federal, state and county funds, grants to individual agencies or philanthropic contributions, is arranged by The Way Home’s steering committee, which consists of county leaders, various other government officials and agency leaders and a range of others. 

Any organization or agency that receives funding has to be part of the homeless response system. The steering committee uses data to drive its decision-making. When it comes to how to distribute funding, allocate resources and determine what programs to take on, the committee invests wherever the data shows that they get the biggest rate of return.

Ultimately, Houston’s strategy has worked because since that initial community meeting it has received strong political support. The aligned leadership make it a priority between providers; systems; and city, county, and other local elected officials. (Ziwen)

If you want to know more information, please click:

What Other Cities Can Learn From Boston’s Public Health Approach to Homelessness | United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)

 

How Houston’s homeless strategy became a model for other US citiesBy Danielle McLean • Nov. 29, 2022

 

 

 

   They have jobs and they can’t afford to rent!

                                                     

Rent is the biggest expense for the vast majority of households that don’t own their homes, as it is for families in Oregon. The rise and fall of rent are directly related to their quality of life and affordability. Forbes Home, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, determined that Oregon residents spend the largest percentage of their income on rent, ranking ninth in the United States. According to this study, Oregonians spend an average of $1,284 on rent. Oregon renters earn an average of $5,133 a month and spend more than 25.01% of their income on rent each month. In Oregon, one of the states with one of the nation’s worst housing crises, renters are about to face the biggest rent increase since limits began. The average rent for a one-bedroom in Portland was $1,500 a month, according to apartment rental company Zumper last year. And in 2023, if a landlord decides to implement the 14.6 percent maximum increase, the monthly rent for the same apartment could climb to $1,719, which would cost renters an additional $2,628 over the year.

The video “Go inside 24 hours of Portland’s homeless crisis” shows that Portland has a serious housing crisis, with homeless tents all over the streets. An old couple lived in a dilapidated trailer for a long time. An Asian woman about 50 years old works in a super market during the day and lives in a shelter at night. A young single mother and her little daughter were living in an RV but couldn’t find a place to park them for the night. They have jobs but their incomes are too low to cover the high rents. The Oregon and Portland city governments urgently need to build more affordable housing and low-rent apartments to solve the housing problem of low-income and homeless people. (Ziwen)

If you want to know more information, please click:

https://youtu.be/sxbGmqfmfBE

Is Housing the First Step Towards Economic Stability for Houseless Portlanders?

Oregon’s Multnomah County is willing to bet $14M that it is

In February of 2023, Multnomah County unveiled a bold new pilot plan: they will allocate $14 Million of the State’s budget towards establishing government-subsidized housing for the homeless. Called “Multnomah Now,” the program will directly connect people experiencing homelessness with apartments paid for by the State. The project is also being carried with the assistance of local landlords, whose properties will be used for the program. By the end of the year, Multnomah County hopes to provide long-term housing for at least 300 people who are currently experiencing homelessness. 

Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB

The fact that this program specifically targets housing scarcity is no accident–of all the resources that people experiencing homelessness have difficulty accessing, housing is one of the greatest barriers to economic stability. Without a permanent address or a secure location to sleep at night, Portland’s houseless residents find themselves at a disadvantage in applying for jobs, or even meeting their safety needs. Having the guarantee of stable housing to fall back on is the first step towards building a secure platform from which to develop social and economic security. 

Multnomah Now is part of a larger, State-wide push from Oregon’s State Government. Earlier in 2023, Governor Tina Kotek proposed to allocate $130 million towards creating programs to address the houseless crisis in Oregon. In addition, the State Government has created a program that is designed to track the efficacy of Oregon’s efforts to reduce the problem of housing access. The program will be headed by a dedicated task force that will use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor the progress of programs such as Multnomah Now. 

If this pilot program is successful, the documentation of its impact will hopefully lead to the creation of other, State-sponsored programs. In lieu of an economic system that is willing to allocate resources to each person according to their needs, government intervention may be able to fill in the gaps–and perhaps, create a stepping stone for people to pursue economic stability. 

Portland Open Bible Community Food Pantry

 "From Hunger to Hope: How Food Pantries like the Portland Open Bible Community Food Pantry are Changing Lives"

The article “How a food pantry is helping relieve hunger, food insecurity in Southeast Portland” by Sheraz Sadiq, talks about how the Portland Open Bible Community Food Pantry is making a difference in many lives by helping with food donations. Hunger and food insecurity are pressing issues affecting many communities across the United States, which is why the Portland Open Bible Community Food Pantry is working towards providing free groceries and support services to families and individuals in need. They have partnered with Providence Health to stock local clinics with the food pantry. Through their efforts, they are making a significant impact on the lives of those who need it most.

It's easy to underestimate the impact that hunger and food insecurity can have on an individual's life. Not having access to regular, nutritious meals can lead to health problems, emotional stress, and financial strain. The Portland Open Bible Community Food Pantry sees these challenges and is helping to provide food to those who seek their assistance. The Portland Open Bible Community Food pantry also seeks to provide to underrepresented groups and diverse communities that may need extra support. 

Despite the stigma around food insecurity and the challenges that come with running a non-profit organization, the food pantry has been successful in making a real difference in their community. They have helped countless families and individuals get the support they need to move forward and rebuild their lives.

If you're interested in supporting the Portland Open Bible Community Food Pantry or learning more about how you can help fight hunger and food insecurity in your own community, click the link below to visit their website. They offer many ways to be involved such as volunteering, donating, and many events. Together, we can make a difference and help create a brighter future for all.

Article: https://www.opb.org/article/2023/01/13/how-a-food-pantry-is-helping-relieve-hunger-food-insecurity-in-southeast-portland/

Link to website: https://www.pobcpantry.com/

Join us in the fight against hunger and food insecurity by visiting the Portland Open Bible Community Food Pantry website today.

Pregnant & Homeless: How An Organization Is Changing Lives For Expectant Vulnerable Mothers

Homelessness in Portland has become an enduring crisis, with multifaceted challenges that demand our attention and collective action. As we delve into the numerous issues surrounding the long term impacts of homelessness here we explore one critical aspect stands out: the insidious impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on individuals experiencing homelessness and how it impacts women who are homeless & pregnant. The trauma endured on the streets often deepens wounds, perpetuating a cycle of despair and making recovery seem insurmountable. 

Today, we explore an eye-opening article that sheds light on the significance of PTSD in the context of homeless women who are pregnant. The writer of this article, Nicki Bland shares her own insight as one who has experienced homelessness and the trauma that never seems to fade still after picking herself back up.  

The article "Breaking the Cycle" by Nicki Bland explores the topic through an empathetic and solution-oriented approach. It highlights a success story of an organization implementing trauma-informed care and support systems, demonstrating the power of a holistic approach to recovery. The organization mentioned is called "Carried to Full Term", Bland states "CTFT is a 501(c)(3) organization in Haymarket providing long-term residential support for pregnant women facing homelessness. But while housing is the immediate and primary service offered, their comprehensive program focuses on the overall well-being of its residents and their families, determined to help them break cycles of homelessness and financial insecurity." 

Frances Robin featured on Lifestyle Magazine in front of CTFT housing 

CTFT Housing Offered to expecting mothers

Director Frances Robin of CTFT recognized for Human Rights Award

Read the full article below as well as more info about CTFT here 

through these additional articles:

Full article: https://princewilliamliving.com/breaking-the-cycle/

Interview with CTFT org: https://www.lovewhatmatters.com/carried-to-full-term-homeless-pregnant-women-kindness/

CTFT website: https://www.carriedtofullterm.org/

Join the conversation and let's work towards a more compassionate and effective approach to restoring lives and hope.

Skip a Step!

 Is taxpayer's money being spent wisely? Some cities have different approaches to saving these at-risk individuals living on the streets. Portland homeless advocates and providers are asking property owners to house help house 3,000 individuals by the end of the year. They ask these property owners to pledge one of their empty units to house homeless people. This will eliminate the millions used for temporary shelters that only sometimes lead to housing. 

Offering homes that are already built will ensure the shelters are available immediately and can reduce the cost of building a new shelter. These advocacy organizations are calling on Portland and Multnomah County to provide some assistance with vouchers and rental subsidies to entice property owners. Urban League of Portland's Julia Delgado states that it would cost them around $28,000 per adult annually. Portland and Seattle's shelter cost would be between $14,000- 40,000. Would you favor skipping shelters and putting people experiencing homelessness in more permanent homes? 

                                                                                OR

For more information visit:  https://www.opb.org/article/2022/03/03/portland-homeless-advocates-goal-house-3000-people-by-end-of-year/

OR

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/what-is-the-cost-to-house-and-provide-treatment-for-seattles-homeless/

New Homeless Shelters In Action?

    On March 8th 2023 Mayor Ted Wheeler held a news conferences announcing his plan to open a group of new homeless shelters. During this new conference the Mayor discusses that homelessness in our city has increase by 50% from 2019-2022. What people may not know is that while substance abuse, mental illnesses and drug use may be a cause of homelessness, the main issue and reason is actually the lack of affordable housing. While the end goal is to increase the numbers of affordable housing in the Portland area, the city council has $27 million set aside specifically for these temporary shelters will be the start of this transition. 

    The plan for these shelters are to provide, safe, secure and hygienic places. There will be 100 tents for up to 150 people. They will get two meals a day with snacks, access to laundry, storage, wifi, trash and hazardous waste removal, pet areas and more. There is no alcohol or drugs, cooking or fires allowed and all weapons will be checked at the entrance of the property. While it has not been confirmed yet, Security for these shelters will most likely be staffed by Urban Alchemy non-profit. There hasn’t been any say in locations for these shelters as of now. The Mayor does state that there will be neighborhood and community meetings for the areas located near these shelters.With that being said, there is a possibility of the first shelter being located at 1490 SE Gideon Street between the Brooklyn and Hosford-Abernathy neighborhoods.

    While in theory these sound like a great start, we still don’t have any dates in line. Along with that, the issues of drug and substance use are nowhere near to being fixed. I fear the rules will limit the number of people who will take advantage of these shelters, as well as the safety for the neighborhoods they choose for these shelters. I have hope that this can be the start to the change in decreasing our homelessness numbers, but without any dates or deadlines I still fear there will be more action needed in order to fix this problem.

For more information on this topic you can go to https://www.kptv.com/2023/03/08/wheeler-details-plan-eliminate-unsanctioned-camping-portland/ for the article or to watch the video of the news conference. 
OR
This website goes in more depth on this topic which is also linked in the article above. 
https://www.portland.gov/wheeler/shelter-sites
The image is also from the first link above. 

The Incarceration Root

Low-income housing is an issue in the city of Portland due to a lack of availability, but there is another contributing factor and that is criminal records.  It has become widely known that minorities are disproportionally incarcerated and that may just be one of the contributing factors to minorities also being disproportionately more likely to experience homelessness. 

Nick Turner works with the Vera Institute of Justice.  He sat down for a TED Salon interview.  Nick explains to us how the system is set up in a way that hurts people, not helps them.  One thing that really stood out to me is that from their research, 10.5 million people are arrested in the United States each year.  That equates out to 1 person every 3 second, with 80 percent of those people being arrested for crimes associated to poverty, homelessness, mental illness, and substance use. He goes on to explain what defunding policing would look like and how to meet people where they are at when he faces opposition to this idea. 

What do you think, could this be one of the roots of the homelessness crisis we see in the city of Portland and other cities around the country?

We want action on homelessness

                              

                   

    Mayor Ted Wheeler is trying to resolve this issue on homelessness by everyone having a safe place, that is secure and affordable. In a article that was the City Portland’s Response to Homelessness, Wheeler states that “You have my promise that he will continue to find and implement solutions to our communities homelessness crisis. “ I wonder how long is it going to take to take action in the issue instead of solutions? People are fed up they want their streets, and neighborhood back.

    But fixing the problem is taking more than a token of verbal acknowledgement.  This article Why Portland’s Homeless Situation is the Worst in the country couldn’t of stated better. This is what I was speaking on in the top paragraph that any person can talk but we need to see action happening to resolve the problem. We all have to find a way to solve these issues because the State and City are not helping much.

   What ideas can the people come up to take action is that there needs to be more homeless shelters for safety. Address those that want to be in their own tents because they maybe want to have a canceled weapon or use drugs. Those need to face the justice system according to Rene Gonzales a person who lives in Portland and is running for City Council.  To me this is a interesting observation because he knows the issue Portland is having on homelessness and know Gonzales who lives in Portland wants to be in the City Council to do something about the situation.

Resources for the homeless    https://www.portlandoregon.gov/toolkit/69886 

Image from- https://www.koin.com/is-portland-over/pandemics-impact-to-portlands-homeless-population-still-unknown/