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Tents set up along Southwest 13th Avenue in Portland, April 2022 |
Homelessness is not merely numbers on a page; it is a crisis impacting our friends, neighbors, and communities. In Oregon, rows of tents and improvised shelters lining the streets of cities like Portland make the severity of the situation easy to see. Seeing so many Oregonians forced to live without basic shelter is disheartening and overwhelming. Yet each temporary residence shelters an individual with a story of struggles and hardships, and most important of all, a hope for a brighter future.
Each day, thousands across Oregon confront the unforgiving reality of having no home to call their own, a crisis that has taken root statewide, affecting not only those without shelter but every member of our interconnected communities. However, within this immense challenge exists a profound truth: change starts from within, and together our small acts of kindness can make a world of difference.
Oregon has been aggressively addressing homelessness proactively in ways that are not only creating shelter for the night but building the solutions for the future. For anyone who takes time to listen to these stories, it is even more than the act of removing people off the streets; they get an opportunity to live again with dignity and stability.
A 70-Year-Old Woman’s Journey to Stability
Imagine being 70 years old, on the brink of securing permanent housing after months of waiting, only to face the prospect of losing it all because you have to move your makeshift camp. This was the reality for one Portland woman. When her temporary camp was set to be removed, she feared losing the opportunity for a stable home because her outreach worker might not find her again. Furthermore, moving all her belongings at her age was an impossible task.
But this story took a turn for the better, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Streets Services Coordination Center (SSCC). In the next few hours, a team secured a hotel voucher for her, ensuring she had a safe place to stay while waiting for her permanent housing. The team also spent a lot of time packing her property and they made sure none of the items were left behind. This is more than a story of a woman getting a hotel room; it is the story of what happens when a group of people loves and mobilizes.
Home at Last: A New Beginning for a 48-Year-Old Woman
A woman in her late forties, childless and without a job, had been living on the streets for six years because of untreated mental disorders that kept her from holding a job or paying rent. After finally receiving help and stabilizing her life, she had one simple wish: a place to call home. But when she applied for a housing benefit she was rejected and it appeared her small dream may also disappear.
Here comes the Navigation Team who not only assisted her to appeal the denial but also supported her to fight for her rights. The team did not give up, and at last, she was able to be placed in her own home. The young woman now has full-time employment and pays rent: she is finally experiencing the stability that was out of her reach for a long time. This isn’t just about a roof over her head; it’s about restoring a life.
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Candi Silvis gazes out at the park from her new apartment in Beaverton, Oregon, September 2023. She moved in just three weeks earlier, ending several years of homelessness. |
The Human Face of Homelessness
Candi Silvis, a 51-year-old woman, spent three years homeless in Washington County after fleeing an abusive relationship, living in her car, shelters, or sometimes returning to her abuser because she had nowhere else to go. Her life was consumed by the constant struggle to meet basic needs while battling anxiety and despair. Her story, like that of many Oregonians, highlights the harsh realities of homelessness, where individuals face overwhelming obstacles after losing stability due to circumstances beyond their control. Candi’s path to recovery only began after receiving a rental assistance voucher, allowing her to finally find stability and hope.
A Path Forward: The Power of Action
You might be asking, “Why should I care about homelessness? What does it have to do with me?” The answer is straightforward: these stories reflect the strength and resiliency of our community. Collectively, we can actually get together and decide to care and plant these seeds and make a concrete difference. Individuals like Candi Silvis, who spent years living in her car after fleeing abuse, represent the countless Oregonians who face unimaginable struggles. Homelessness is not only a problem of the homeless, but of the entire society since it affects the latter’s security, well-being and economic development.
The way we address homelessness is an indication of what sort of nation we are. It’s about more than just addressing immediate needs; it’s about fostering a community that supports one another and upholds the dignity of every person. This is why a more coordinated approach as exemplified by the SSCC program actually works in bringing the kind of change that is desirable. But change is not made in pieces, it’s systemic and therefore is not as simple as having occasional good examples. One’s readiness to invest in affordable homes, fondness for important services, and commitment to fighting for change ensures a more stable society.
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