Why Do People Become Homeless in Portland? A Look at Root Causes- Albori Amir

 

Why Do People Become Homeless in Portland? A Look at Root Causes

Homelessness is a visible crisis here within Portland. Many seem to ask the “how” but never the “why”. Understanding why people become homeless is another reason. Everyone's story is different and coming to understand and accept this is the first step to not only understand but also become more empathetic. Within this post, we’re going to take a deep dive into the root causes of homelessness within our beautiful city. 

The Housing Crisis

Portland's housing market has become one of the fastest growing in the nation. Seeing thousands of new residents looking forward to moving in. On the other side of the coin due to so many new residents moving in, and not enough job opportunities, housing prices are increasing. This double edged sword is one of the main reasons our fellow Portland residents are ending up homeless. Many residents find themselves relying on unstable employment in a growing and expensive city. 

Mental Health and Addiction

Mental Health and addiction are again a massive reason for why individuals end up homeless here in Portland. Oregon, more specifically the Portland metropolitan area has a depression percentage of 24.5 percent, making it the 6th worse in the country. Many of Portland's mental health resources are stretched out pretty thin already, this is leaving residents having to battle illnesses like depression, anxiety,schizophrenia all by themselves. 

Another factor leading into homelessness is addiction, many residents here in Portland struggle with addiction. With Portland being one of the most drug heavy cities here within the United States, it's one of the leading factors into homelessness. But, it's important to understand how these addictions start, most of the time this addiction stems from self treatment of underlying mental health issues to find a sense of relief and an escape from their hardships. More often than not sadly this self medication takes turns for the worse and over time leads to full blown addictions, when these addictions take over it becomes their top priority to fulfill their needs oftentimes leading to them leaving work and not being able to maintain their way of life.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violences is another reason that's leading to homelessness here within Portland. Oftentimes sadly homelessness is the outcome to women and children trying to escape a domestic and abusive relationship. Without support networks and systems, they often end up in shelters on the streets. 

Systemic Inequality

Within Portland a majority of the homeless population falls into one of these three categories, People of color, LGBTQ+, and retired veterans. Historical inequities, discrimination, and lack of access to resources compound the challenges these groups face. Portland being known for its diversity and still being one of the most racist and microaggression heavy cities is still a major backward step.  These barriers make it difficult for those to find stable careers as well as housing, leading to more homelessness. 

Lack of Social Safety Nets

Portland does have social safety although they always do fall short for its residents. There is a limited availability for these resources, and because of how limited they are, many residents find themselves trying to overcompensate and tackle all that's going on by themselves, sadly they end up falling short and the path to homelessness begins to take its course. 

Tackling the Root Causes

Tackling a big issue such as homelessness here within Portland, sounds easier said than done. This problem requires an all hands on deck approach and will take community efforts from every corner of Portland to change, however it's definitely possible. Tackling these problems will allow us to move forward and begin steeping in the right direction. 

Expand Affordable Housing: By increasing the availability of low income housing, many residents will find themselves being under roofs. 

Strengthen Social Services: Strengthening these social services to build up and help those in need. This includes, mental health services, housing services, food services, edt.

Promoting Economic stability : Advocating for liveable wages, will allow for those who are working and have stable careers to maintain their stability. 

Homelessness within Portland is an issue without a single solution and that will require community efforts to move in the right direction. By addressing these reasons above this issue will slowly but surely be a problem of the past.