The homeless need our help: Ways to effectively help our communities

 

     Few issues in Oregon are in as greater need of help then homelessness. A report done by Portland State indicates that homelessness has grown 8.5% since 2022. Native Oregonians have all seen the rise of inflation affecting housing, food and insurance costs. It is now harder than ever to afford to live, and we're seeing this firsthand on our streets. Today in this blog, we will dive into the ways we can effectively manage this crisis, and what you can do to help the homeless. 

    We will start by dissecting different resources available to the public. Some of these resources may be familiar, some may not. The idea here is to get these organizations higher on the public radar. Many know that homelessness is a real problem but may not know what to do to help solve it. The goal here is to come up with a plan, and ideally, a solution.

       Non-profits are essential 

    

    If we want to effectively support the homeless population, we need to start now. Non-profits such as Housing Oregon are vital to funding affordable housing. Making donations and becoming a member gives you the power to make real change. This is a company that establishes connections with other companies, votes on policies and has a voice in the community. 

    Organizations like Housing Oregon are a fantastic way to establish change. So, what next? The next organization is fundamental for the homeless to transition out of their previous lives. Transition Projects is a unique and amazing non-profit that puts people into temporary shelters, giving them a good place to sleep while they find a more permanent solution. Supporting a company like this gives people a real chance at life and it also increases their chances of not being homeless again. We don't want to just fight homelessness head on, we also want to make efforts to prevent it further. 

What is the next step? 

    So, we donate to programs to get homeless people back on their feet, now what? Now is when we spread our awareness of programs that transitions people from renting a property, to home ownership. The big picture of helping people is inform the public of programs that fight for the common people. One such company that provides these programs is Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI). This company provides programs such as help with home ownership, asset building and financial education. 

  

    This could mean a real step in the right direction for thousands of people, and fully transition the homeless to a long and comfortable life. Spreading information about such programs could be a big piece to slowing down homelessness and creating a smooth transition for those looking to find somewhere to live. If we donate to our local non-profits and spread awareness of community programs, we can give many people the chance they desperately need.

Make your voice heard, vote!

    Your voice matters, it's time to do your part. Make sure to vote in your local elections and research upcoming measures and policies. Making sure particular measures pass can be the difference the homeless desperately need. Make sure your tax dollars are hard at work doing what you believe is right. 

    Many naysayers would argue that voting to spend more tax dollars on affordable housing would cut money going to other important places. However, the benefits speak for themselves "The high cost can cut public spending in other areas, however. National studies show that permanent supportive housing can also lead to a drop in hospital stays, time in mental health facilities and arrests for recipients." (Zielinski, OPB). 

Let's put this all together

    Now that we have all of the necessary information needed to effectively help our communities, it's time to put it into action:

1. Donate to local non-profits

2. Spread information about transition programs to get the homeless on their feet

3. Support companies like PCRI to give the tools of housing and financial education to people

4. Vote in local elections and vote for measures in support of affordable housing

 

Closing statement

    WE have the power to make a meaningful difference in our communities. Do your part by donating, voting and supporting meaningful programs. If we want to make a dent in the homelessness crisis, we have to start now. If we do not, there may be no end in sight. These people rely on us to do the right thing. 

Cited works and important resources 

Here are some solutions to homelessness in Oregon - OPB

Become a Member – Housing Oregon

Stories of Transition — Transition Projects

Portland State releases 2023 Oregon statewide homelessness report | Portland State University

Homeless Nutrition Education: The Importance of Nutrition for Decisions Making and Health

 

What is nutrition and why do we need it?

Nutrition is about having and maintaining a standard and balanced diet on a daily basis. It is necessary to fuel your body and keep it going every day. Having a good diet will provide you with nutrients to maintain your overall health including energy, brain, skin, muscle, bone, immune system, and blood circulation.  

Two main key nutrients that we have in our food are macronutrients and micronutrients. Energy and essential fatty acids are provided by macronutrients and they help to build and repair muscles and tissues. On the other hand, micronutrients provide minerals and vitamins that are essential for various body functions. 

What foods are healthy to eat?

Most scientists suggest having a diet with plant-based ingredients which are essential for optimal health. Following a plant-based diet not only provides various health benefits, but also helps to lower the risk of having chronic illnesses, heart disease, and cancer. There are some of the plant-based foods that contain the biggest nutrients and stand out from most foods. You can add these healthy foods to your diet and it is also good to consume everyday. Berries, Leaf greens, nuts, fatty fish, and vegetables are the healthy plant-based foods you can eat everyday.

Here are some tips on how to have a healthy eating:

• Eat more fruit and vegetables: They contain a great amount of vitamins and minerals that are essential for our body. Fruits and vegetables will provide you with fiber that are good for digestion and to maintain a healthy weight. Pick and consume fresh fruit and veggies when in season. You can also choose canned options but with less salt and no sugar.

• Eat more whole grains: Eating whole grains will help with heart health and provide fiber. There are tips to eat more whole grains and will be included below.

• Consume less salt or sodium: Having high blood pressure is a result of eating high sodium food. When you can not find the canned fruit/vegetables that say “low sodium”, try to drain the water in the can or rinse your vegetables with clean water. Try to use seasonings for your canned food other than salt.

• Consume less sugar: High sugar food will cause server health problems including obesity and one relating to tooth decay. Avoid eating canned fruit with sugar or syrup. If you can not find canned fruit with "less sugar" or "no sugar", try to rinse off your canned fruit with water.

Basic ways to make healthy food without a kitchen

It is hard sometimes to have a healthy diet, and it depends on what you already have or what you are provided in the food stores. There are some basic ways to make your food healthier and taste even better with little preparation and materials that are easy to find. You need to have a food container that is airtight, a can opener, and the essential utensils including folk, spoon, and knife.  

Here are some simple meal prep ideas that you can do without having a kitchen:

Canned beans soup with chicken broth:

• Mix different canned beans together, mix canned vegetables and chicken to make a soup.

• Add lemon juice, canned corn, tomatoes, and onions. 

• Mix them with the soup and enjoy with corn tortilla or whole bread.

Canned vegetable salad:

• Mix canned beans, corn, and peas together.

• Add a small amount of light salad dressing and enjoy the healthy salad.

• Optional: Add green onion and parsley.

For more healthy meal preps, visit this site: Homeless Nutrition Education Toolkit

The Impact of Mental Health on Homelessness

 

                                        

Mental Health is one of the biggest issues in the United States today, affecting most of the country's population. As inflation has risen over the past years, so has the lack of supply and treatment for individuals who are experiencing homelessness. What makes this issue significant is that, with many struggling with homelessness and barriers to treatment they are stuck remaining in a cycle of being unstable. This blog will explores the different causes of homelessness in Portland, looking for innovative solutions and re-examine the role that mental health have in our community. 

What The Health?

According to a The Oregonian article by Nicole Hayden, 63% of Portlanders reported suffering from mental health issues. Of all the people surveyed: over 65% of people experiencing homelessness suffers from depression and anxiety and stated that mental health have made it difficult to find a house. When they were offered to help with housing however, 75% of people experiencing homelessness were never contact again regarding updates. The stress, hunger and exhaustion of being homeless really worsen the mental health of the individuals and if often mistreated can really impacts another person's life or behaviors. 

As homelessness continues, many people are more against getting help due to the judgement of others or the police brutality occurs when homeless encampments are happening. Honey, a Portlander experiencing homelessness stated that her camp was swept by the city at least 4 times, an encampment resident was shot, another fatally overdosed and so on. As a result this only worsened Honey's mental health and distrust in accepting health from others. 

The Problems Surrounding Homelessness:

As mentioned above, inflation is a clear indicator that homelessness exist. Chronic homelessness is challenging to interrupt because of the way the person think, since homelessness puts you in a state of constant high alert, where you choose "flight, fight or freeze", the brain's fear center is overreactive. This dulls the brain's prefrontal cortex, which regulates critical thinking and emotions, stated by Alex Zielinski in an OPB article "How homelessness in Oregon started, grew and became a statewide crisis". 

Another reason contributes to this is limited housing inventory, as a result landlords are able to keep rents high. We then find a direct correlation between high homelessness rates and high housing rates, among the wealthier cities they are prone to have higher homelessness rates comparing to less wealthier cities. 

What Has Been Done? 

Housing and more importantly case support for financial assistance and helping out with difficult paper work has lead many people from experiencing homelessness to being more content with their lives as a result. With mental health affecting their ability to fill out long and difficult paper work, case managers are there to provide them with the tools and assistance they need in order to obtain shelter. In Honey's word from The Oregonian article, "Not everyone has a case manager, sometimes people just direct you to someone else or tell you to do it yourself, but everyone deserves a case manager, we don't have enough of them". 

Path Home would be the perfect resource for people like Honey who's experiencing homelessness, they offer housing, financial assistance as well as shelter and basic needs that every family need. Path Home also has shelter for families filled with needs as they're searching for a new home, cash allowances every month so they can provide for themselves, case management to deal with difficult housing paperwork and as well as long tem assistance as they transition into their own home. Portland Street Medicine is also good resource for many people experiencing homelessness, they do their best to treat and take care of many unhoused community members who are in need of help. 

As homelessness reduced and many are return with shelter and family in place, we can see expect lower levels of stress and mental health issues declining as a result. Many nonprofits including Portland Street Medicine, Transition Project and Path Home are excellent resources for others to support and stop the rise of homelessness. 

While housing rates are definitely something we can't control, we can lower down homelessness and mental health in the place we need by supporting and helping nonprofit organizations who are providing these powerful resources to people experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. At the end of the day, everyone deserves shelter and a happy family without constant fear of fight or flight. 

Reduce the rates of homelessness and increase more assistance today by donating to 

Path Home:   https://www.path-home.org/

or if you want to check out other resources I'll link below:

             https://www.portlandstreetmedicine.org/ 

            https://www.tprojects.org/

Sources: 

Nicole Hayden, The Oregonian:  https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2022/06/63-of-homeless-portlanders-report-suffering-from-mental-health-issues-and-say-they-need-more-help-false-promises-survey.html

Alex Zielinski, OPB: https://www.opb.org/article/2023/10/09/oregon-homelessness-history-background-housing-solutions/

The Useless Obsession with Arresting the Homeless

Why it Happens

Focusing on the purely logical to start off with, the procedure is simple. On the surface level, arresting homeless people is a (seemingly) effective way to remove them from the streets. It is definitely the fastest solution and by far the easiest. Besides, we already have a lot of prisons built (with plenty more on the way), and a police force just itching for “some real action”, so why not?

However, one would need to be a small child or have a child-like view of the world to think that this is a truly effective, much less sustainable, and even much less ethical, solution.

Why it Doesn't Work

Continuing with the purely logical, the annual expenditure of an individual prisoner in Portland, much less a group of them, easily out ways the annual cost of housing and feeding an individual who isn’t incarcerated. According to a briefing by the Oregon Department of Corrections, the daily cost of an adult in custody is, on average, $173.88. Annually, that would be exactly $63,466.20. Looking around a few sources like sofi.com and portlandrealestate.com, the average annual cost of living in Portland is around $47,779. With the understanding that the leftover $15,687.2 will go towards paying for the prison’s staff and other costs like maintenance, one should wonder why even waste over $15,000 on a process that only services to make the subject of it miserable. Even if that $15,687.20 must be spent, there surely must be a better use of it, one that actually may be of some help to the person subjected to it, and may genuinely help them to avoid this situation in the future, instead of simply punishing them. How is punishment supposed to help a homeless person? A thief could be tough not to steal (although, a kleptomaniac couldn’t be helped through prison time either). A homeless person cannot simply “learn” not to be homeless.

Why We Should Know Better

Now that we can, finally, stop ignoring what should be obvious, it is baffling that one could declare any argument in favor of arresting the homeless in any way ethical. Unfortunately, many “brave” soles have tried. 

“If they had worked harder, they wouldn’t be homeless in the first place. Thus, it's their own fault.”

1. No one, no matter how close to the person, cannot know all the ins and outs of a person’s life. How do we know how hard that person has worked, and how many struggles and obstacles they’ve faced? Does everyone know, much less care about everything you’ve had to go through in life? You’ve likely come across at least somebody who was apathetic toward your hardships and suffering. Do you really want to be that kind of person? Don’t you want to be better than that, happier than that?

2. Let’s say, in a specific example, this was true. Let’s say that, Bob (for example), was unmotivated, uninvolved, and just plain didn’t feel like working at no stinking job! Now, you might think that Bob is lazy, and maybe even that Bob is wasting his life. Would you, at any point in your life, want to punish Bob? Would you feel justified in yelling at Bob, or even tackling him? Does it make sense, for no other reason than Bob being “lazy”, to lock him in your basement, demean him constantly, and feed him poorly prepared food? If not, then why does it make sense for anyone else to do it? If you wouldn’t want to keep Bob as a prisoner, then why do you feel like the police should? Do you feel this way with everyone you meet that you mildly dislike? The old expression “treat others as you’d like them to be treated”, as cliche as it is, goes both ways. If you're fine with not having Bob help you in exchange for you not helping him, then you should be fine with the police not hurting Bob in exchange for you not wanting to be the one to hurt him either.

What We Can Do About It

So, if none of us rational and ethical people of the world should want the police to be our main tool in terms of the homeless, what can be done to udo this egregious error? Aside from the obvious steps of finding the homeless person, or people, someplace to peacefully move to (a subject beyond the scope of this article), there are some personal measures that all of us, yes even you, can take.

One action (a reactionary one, I admit) is to report any abuse or harassment that you, or someone you know and trust, have witnessed. There are multiple ways to do so, one of the more convenient ones being an online police complaint which can be filed at the Portland Oregon Federal Website or the equivalents for your local city. If you or someone you know is undergoing such harassment, websites such as dontcallthepolice.com  can provide sources of support for anyone undergoing this (and many other) situations where police involvement may make the situation worse.

Another, more grand, action one may take is to help the creation of legal measures and laws that help enforce the fair treatment of the homeless. Websites like Oregon Secretary of State go into more detail on how that may be accomplished. While this route is much more proactive, it is also one that requires a larger sense of cooperation amongst a large community, and (as much as we like to believe otherwise) still doesn't 100% prevent this problem, only making the offending cop(s) just a bit more careful how often, and to what extent, they harass and abuse.

Ultimately, the best solution to the problem is some amalgamation of both ideas: taking the individual initiative to report what we see and building the communal desire and expectation of preventing this heinous behavior in the first place. As difficult as this would be, it’s less difficult (hopefully) than watching any more officers get away with treating people like they're some kind of lower beast, especially at our expense.

Oral Health’s Importance Among Homeless Communities

 

Image from “Oral Health and Malnutrition”

The Link: 

Oral health and nutrition are closely linked together, and each one affects the other. If someone is malnourished, it can cause gum recession and gum disease, which can further lead to periodontitis, which itself leads to jawbone problems. Not only that, but the lack of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus can cause tooth enamel to thin and lead to risk of tooth decay. On the other hand, if someone is missing teeth or has tooth decay, then eating can become painful. Thus, someone may avoid certain foods, or eat soft, processed foods, which does not sustain them nutritionally (Piotrowski 2019). This harsh cycle stresses the importance of taking care of our teeth so that we can avoid getting caught up in these issues.

 

The Studies: 

However, the homeless population struggles with these health issues more than others. A survey-like study in Oakland, California found that over half of the participants reported they were missing teeth or experiencing oral pain. A fifth of them said the pain prevented sleeping, and almost a third of them reported the pain prevented eating. Also, half reported that they could not get dental care. This not only affects nutrition, but it also affects their ability to find jobs due to decreased ability to speak, and even smile (Freitas et al. 2019).

 

In a similar study, done in a city in England, had similar findings to the one above. Many participants reported oral pain, damaged teeth, and little success when trying to get access to dental care. The majority of them even reported being self-conscious about their teeth. Even with another study in London, similar results were found. It was also agreed that dental care needs to be more accessible to the homeless population (Witton and Paisi 2021).

 

The Consequences: 

Poor dental health and its link to malnutrition also can come with more problems. One of the first things that start to go wrong when a person is malnourished is the immune system. As the immune system weakens, that person will become more likely to get infections, sicknesses, and other diseases as the heart slows down and wounds don’t heal as fast (Cleveland Clinic 2022). The inaccessibility to dental care and malnutrition makes it easier for sickness and disease to spread among the homeless population. It creates a lower quality of life for the people and the community.

 

The Solution: 

With these problems in mind, it is important to know what we can do to help. Donating dental supplies, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss is a simple yet effective way to get these resources out there. Donating to local organizations, such as Shepherd’s Door, can also help make these tools, and more dental care, accessible. Shepherd’s Door also has routinely volunteers from Bridgeview Dental Associates who provide dental services. Lastly, donating highly nutritional soft foods can decrease malnutrition risk while also ensuring everyone can eat it. Things like applesauce, canned vegetables, peanut butter, canned soup and stews, and canned fruits do not expire quickly, are soft to help decrease oral pain while eating, and contain nutrients that can help with malnourishment. Things like this can help create cleaner and healthier communities.

 

Want to Donate in the Portland Area? Click Here.

Curious about the studies done? Click for the California and England studies.

Cited Sources:

Freitas, Daniel J., et al. "Oral health and access to dental care among older homeless adults: results from the HOPE HOME study." Journal of public health dentistry 79.1 (2019): 3-9.

"Malnutrition." Cleveland Clinic, 4 May 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22987-malnutrition.

Piotrowski, Bradley. "Oral Health and Malnutrition." periodonticsnaples, 4 July 2019, www.periodonticsnaples.com/oral-health-and-malnutrition.

Witton, Robert, and Martha Paisi. "Dental care for homeless persons: Time for National Health Service reform." Public Health in Practice 2 (2021).

Street Medicine in Portland: Physical Health Gains, Mental Health Gaps

 

Photo from Portland Street Medicine

Health Care

When I first heard about street medicine programs, I was struck by how personal and direct their approach is—bringing healthcare to people who live on the streets, often unseen by the traditional healthcare system. For many homeless individuals, especially those struggling with mental illness, access to medical care is limited, if not impossible. Street medicine offers a lifeline. However, even these programs face significant challenges in addressing mental health needs, which often go unaddressed due to lack of specialized resources.

Mental Health and Homelessness: A Growing Crisis

According to recent reports, including an article from U.S. News, mental illness is a significant issue among the homeless population. Roughly one-third of people experiencing homelessness suffer from severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. These conditions are often untreated and can worsen as individuals continue to live without the stability and support that housing provides.

In cities like Portland, where homelessness has surged, addressing these mental health issues is crucial. Without access to proper mental health care, many individuals cycle in and out of emergency rooms, jails, and shelters without receiving the ongoing treatment they need to manage their conditions.

Street Medicine: Meeting People Where They Are

Portland Street Medicine is one of the organizations working on the front lines to bring healthcare directly to people who live on the streets. According to The Science Writer, Portland Street Medicine operates by visiting homeless encampments, underpasses, and shelters, providing primary care services to those who would otherwise be left without any medical assistance. These teams include doctors and nurses who offer wound care, vaccinations, and help with chronic conditions like diabetes.

However, mental health care remains a challenge. While some street medicine programs in the country are beginning to incorporate mental health services, Portland Street Medicine primarily focuses on physical health. The organization doesn’t yet have dedicated psychiatric staff to consistently diagnose or treat mental health conditions. This gap highlights a significant issue: even as street medicine expands access to healthcare, the mental health needs of homeless individuals remain unmet in many places.

The Struggle to Provide Mental Health Care

The challenge in providing mental health care through street medicine is multifaceted. For one, psychiatric care requires specialized professionals, and many street medicine teams simply don’t have enough staff to cover mental health services. Even when they can provide some mental health care, the complexity of conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder makes it difficult to deliver comprehensive, ongoing treatment in non-traditional settings. As the U.S. News article noted, many homeless individuals are not just struggling with mental health issues—they also face substance abuse and other co-occurring conditions, further complicating their care.

Moreover, outreach teams face logistical issues. While street medicine teams in places like California are attempting to integrate more psychiatric services, Portland is still working through these barriers. Often, the best these teams can do is refer individuals to local clinics or mental health resources, but the challenge remains in getting people to follow through with those referrals. Many homeless individuals lack transportation, the ability to maintain appointments, or the mental stability to navigate complex healthcare systems.

The Path Forward: Advocating for Integrated Care

It’s clear that while street medicine is making strides in providing essential care, the mental health component still needs development. Programs like Portland Street Medicine are making a tangible difference in the physical health of their patients, but to truly address homelessness, mental health services must become an integral part of these initiatives. This means advocating for more funding, more mental health professionals, and better integration between street teams and psychiatric services.

As a future healthcare professional, I see this as a critical area where we can improve. Bringing healthcare to people on the streets is a powerful step forward, but to make a lasting impact, mental health care must be treated with the same urgency as physical health.

---

Sources:

• U.S. News: Most Homeless Americans Are Battling Mental Illness

• The Science Writer: Bringing Health Care to the Homeless: How Portland Street Medicine Is Making a Difference

• Portland Street Medicine Site

• Behavioral Health Care Delivery Through Street Medicine Programs in California