Soup Kitchens: A Lifeline for Our Community

 

(Photo by Adobe Stock)

Soup Kitchens: A Lifeline for Our Community

By Lydia Boulter

Soup kitchens are more than just places to get a meal. They are lifelines for individuals who are hungry, struggling, and often overlooked. These nonprofit organizations provide warm, nutritious meals to those in need, especially in low-income neighborhoods and among people experiencing homelessness. In today’s economic climate, this support is more critical than ever.

Government assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are intended to help, but they often fall short. In Oregon, for example, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit for one person is just $292, which breaks down to around $3.20 per meal (“SNAP,” 1). That is barely enough to buy a cup of coffee, let alone a healthy meal. For many, this means surviving on inexpensive, low-nutrition food such as instant ramen or processed snacks.

The challenges are even greater for those without stable housing. SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase hot or prepared meals, and most homeless individuals lack access to kitchens or refrigeration. Healthy foods like dairy, fruits, vegetables, and meat spoil quickly, making it nearly impossible to maintain a nutritious diet (Marisa, 1). Although people who are homeless are technically eligible for SNAP, the program is not practical for their daily needs.

This is where soup kitchens play a vital role. They fill the gaps left by government programs, offering hot meals in safe and welcoming environments. But they provide more than just food. They offer dignity, a sense of community, and a path toward rebuilding lives.

In Portland, Oregon, two outstanding organizations, Blanchet House and Stone Soup PDX are leading this effort:

• Blanchet House not only serves hot meals, but also offers shelter for up to eight months through its men’s and women’s housing programs. This gives individuals time, safety, and nourishment as they work to regain stability. There are no time limits or work requirements to receive meals, which makes the support accessible to those who need it most (“Blanchet House,” 1).

• Stone Soup PDX is another inspiring example. This organization distributes free meals to day centers and shelters throughout the city. In addition, it provides a free, 12-month culinary training program for individuals facing employment barriers. This training helps participants gain practical skills, build confidence, and pursue long-term employment opportunities (“Our Programs,” 1).

These organizations go far beyond addressing hunger. They are transforming lives and communities. They show that when we invest in people, we strengthen our society. Supporting the well-being of unhoused and unemployed individuals is not only compassionate, it is also a smart investment. It builds a stronger local economy, reduces crime, and promotes public health.

If we want a healthier and more equitable society, we must care for those who are struggling the most. Everyone deserves the basic dignity of a warm meal and the opportunity for a second chance.

You can be part of the solution. Whether by volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness, your support makes a real difference. Learn more and get involved through the links below:

1. Blanchet House: https://blanchethouse.org/

2. Stone Soup PDX: https://www.stonesouppdx.com/s-projects-side-by-side

_________________________________________________________________________

Works Cited

Alex Marisa. “No Kitchen, No Hot Meals with SNAP Benefits.” Blanchet House, 19 Jan. 2022, blanchethouse.org/no-kitchen-means-no-hot-food-for-homeless-with-snap/.

“Blanchet House.” Blanchet House, blanchethouse.org/.

Fruit,. “Food Images – Browse 62,676,043 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video.” Adobe Stock, 2025, stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&hide_panel=true&k=food&search_type=usertyped&asset_id=237754417. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

“Our Programs | Stone Soup PDX.” Stone Soup PDX, 2016, www.stonesouppdx.com/s-projects-side-by-side. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

“SNAP | Basic Needs Program.” Uoregon.edu, 2024, basicneeds.uoregon.edu/snap. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

The Hierarchy Of Needs - Shelter Is Just The Beginning

 Caleb Henry

Re-Framing The Issue

We can gain a new perspective on the issue of homelessness by turning our attention to the science of psychology. In the mid 20th century American psychologist, Abraham Maslow, published a theory of human motivation called the hierarchy of needs. This widely-accepted theory asserts that the most basic need of all is shelter. It comes as no surprise that an individual without access to reliable shelter will struggle with subsequent feelings of safety and belonging.

Every member of a community deserves to climb this metaphorical pyramid - and in order to do so they need their most fundamental needs met first. This serves as a basis for the ideology that food, water, and, most importantly, shelter are human rights and should be available to everyone.

Once these needs have been met, a person can begin to gain a sense of belonging which in turn helps them participate in their communities. Those who argue that we should not spend resources on people who cannot contribute tot he community often misunderstand this cause-and-effect relationship.

Stepping Up One Level At A Time

If science has found housing to be as basic a need as food or water, then housing should be considered just as important of a resource. Those without it should be helped in a similar manner to those who struggle with hunger or thirst. So what should we do? In order to promote recovery and integration, the following steps must be taken in order.

Prioritize housing first: Stable housing provides a foundation to build up from - once they have it, people can begin to address the more complex needs like employment that will allow them to fully reintegrate.

Expand access to healthcare: We must remove barriers to essential services that support safety and well-being. This includes mental health services and addiction services.

Build communities: Support programs that promote social connections and fight stigmas in order to help people rebuild their sense of belonging and self-worth.

Invest in employment opportunities: We must support pathways out of homelessness that will lead to fulfillment and offer resources to prevent slipping backward.

The Future Of Our Community

We all have a part to play in guiding the direction of our community. If we do nothing we will wither away. If we can make some change, however small, we will see results that encourage growth - and we will flourish. Everyone is impacted by these decisions whether they realize it or not. If you are interested in making a change, these organizations might interest you:

Portland Rescue Mission provides more than 67,000 nights of safe shelter annually.

Join PDX helps individuals and families find permanent housing solutions.

Transition Projects supports more than 10,000 annually in retaining aided housing.

Laziness Or Surviving? Why Survival Mode Gets Mistaken for Doing Nothing

 

 

By Jose Perez Perez 

LAZINESS!  

 

It is snap judgment many people make when they see someone unhoused, loitering about. But are we just calling it like it is or are we just judging a book by its covers

 

The truth is, living on the streets takes more effort that one thinks. It’s not living; its surviving. Every day means no shelter, no rest, no safety net. You’re constantly searching for food, walking miles on end, battling the elements, guarding yourself and your belongings. It’s a full-time job with no breaks

 

Still think it’s laziness. According to Oasis Community Housing, unhoused individuals often walk 10 to 15 miles per day just to find food, shelter, or a safe place to rest. That kind of constant movement takes a serious toll; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Add in sleep deprivation, malnutrition, and the constant stress of being on high alert, and it becomes quite clear: this life isn’t one of leisure; it’s one of survival.

 

Nevertheless, the common belief persists; that unhoused individuals chose this life rather than being forced into it by crisis and circumstance. Research from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology shows that when people believe homelessness is caused by personal failure, they are more likely to dehumanize those affected. But when we understand the structural causes, like poverty, trauma, or lack of access to housing, empathy increases, and harmful attitudes decrease.

 

We need stop labeling people as “lazy” and start recognizing the truth: it’s not laziness, its survival. And survival deserves dignity not judgments

 

Survey Flyer

The Ecolife Project is conducting a public survey to collect data about issues surrounding the unhoused.

Your participation would help raise awareness for and better inform policy recommendations aimed at restoring dignity and ending exhaustion for people experiencing homelessness.

Brought to you by the multimedia marketing team

 

Restoring Dignity: How Rose City JAM Is Changing Lives 

BY: Freddie Sly III 7/20/2025 7:16 PM (PST) 

Meet Christopher Lambert, 43. He is the Founder of ‘Rose City JAM’ aka Night Sports. Night Sports is a monthly event that provides a safe space for homeless youth. While they do service other youth, specifically homeless youth are the targeted demographic. Why? Chris Lambert used to be a homeless youth himself. In his article in Blxck Magazine, he told them, “When I was locked up, I had a class that made us dig up every messed up thing that ever happened to us… It was then that I had to share with my mom how much us being homeless influenced my lifestyle.” After serving a 20-year prison sentence for attempted murder, Chris told himself, his family, and his community he was going to help repair the community he once damaged.

Now, Night Sports is one of the biggest events for youth in NE/North Portland, helping homeless youth get a variety of different resources (including: clothes, haircuts, backpacks for school, food, and more).

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (or HUD), more than 1,400 youth were homeless in 2023. In 2024, nearly double that amount. In 2016, it was reported that 1 in 14 youth had experienced homelessness across America. In 2025, that number has grown to 1 in 8 youth or young adults who have experienced homelessness in their lifetime. A lack of resources usually follows this trend, leaving homeless youth without clothes, consistent food, or hygiene. Which is why programs like Rose City JAM, New Avenues for Youth, etc. are vital for the homeless youth in Portland. Not only do they help these youth fill the void… they help them keep their dignity.

Eddie Bynum Jr. is the co-founder of Rose City JAM. In late March 2025, he and his team of volunteers went to the Salem Youth Jail (OYA) and gave free haircuts to over 500 youth ranging from ages 12–20. Over 48% of the youth that had gotten haircuts that day were reported homeless when they were taken into incarceration.

This wasn’t about grooming. This was a restoration process. It was a process and one simple thing that helped restore the dignity and pride within these youth. Something so simple as a haircut has the ability to not only build connection with the advocates, but to rebuild the lost connections between the youth and their identity. As homelessness continues to rise in the youth populations, it is important our community not only acknowledges programs like this… but GET INVOLVED.

What’s happening through Rose City JAM isn’t just charity, it is their version of community repair. It's a lived experience turned into action. It’s what happens when people like Chris Lambert and Eddie Bynum Jr. decide they’re not waiting on a system to fix things. A haircut becomes a healing moment. A backpack becomes a symbol of hope. And a monthly event becomes a lifeline. As youth homelessness grows, we can’t afford to ignore grassroots efforts that are already working. They remind youth who’ve been forgotten that they’re still seen, still worthy, and still part of something bigger.

So here’s the ask: Don’t just acknowledge what’s happening; Do something! 

Get involved. Volunteer. Donate. Spread the word. Because before we can disrupt things at macro levels… we must start at micro levels. Start here: https://rosecityjam.org

The Homeless and Hygiene

The most undervalued problem the homeless population faces: Hygiene

By Brennan Kane

Within the lives of those who have access to homes, there is something simple that we take for granted: access to good hygiene. This is considered a social normality in our everyday lives. However, it is an often overlooked aspect of how houseless individuals' lives are impacted by their situation. In this post, we will be going over the statistics and impacts of poor hygiene and how it affects the houseless population in Portland.

First off, the biggest issue poor hygiene poses is health risks. Lack of access to showers and laundry facilities can cause staph infections, scabies, UTI’s, and much more. 40% of the houseless population in Portland reported that they have developed one of these issues due to lack of access to the proper facilities. In addition to posing health risks, many have reported that they have been turned away when seeking hot food or shelter due to their poor hygiene.

Another aspect of hygiene comes in the form of lack of waste services. Without access to areas to dispose of their waste, houseless individuals have to dispose of it in public areas. So, instead of offering public dumpsters or areas to dispose of trash, the city do “sweeps” of homeless encampments. This includes not only taking trash out of these encampments, but also personal belongings of the individuals.

Finally, another problem within the field of hygiene is access to restrooms. Lack of public restrooms can lead to additional health risks. In addition, as cities are dis-investing in public restrooms due to the social stigma surrounding them, houseless individuals have to relieve themselves in public. This often leads to arrests for indecent exposure, all due to the city not funding public restrooms.  

Now, how does this affect you? I’m sure if you’ve spent any time in downtown Portland, you’ve seen houseless people. You’ve seen piles of trash on the side of the road. You’ve maybe even seen human excrement on the sidewalks. When you see these things, I implore you to not blame the houseless. As I’ve lined out, these are not things that they can control. These are issues the city controls, and chooses to divest in. So the next time you go walking down the street in Portland and see a messy area, don’t blame the inhabitants. Blame the people who set this system up to have this be the solution. Just know this: it is a band-aid solution. There are better ones out there. It starts with you saying something and trying to make a difference.

More reading can be found here.

General Public Survey Annoucement

 

A survey regarding the unhoused was opened to the public recently. This survey is aimed at median voters in Portland, Oregon, to help the Marketing FTA collect data and inform them about issues surrounding the unhoused.

Your voice matters and is needed for us to understand homelessness. This short survey will help us to better understand how the community of median voters in Portland, Oregon views the unhoused. Your input can create a positive change for all those affected.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdogxinJAz0TozlYY-L-8aGf62Nr9IXNmPJ2duAkY_dn3Iy7w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111136606939344826392

        

No Child Deserves to Be Forgotten: Protecting the Wellbeing of Homeless Youth

  (Photo by Adobe Stock)

Protecting the Wellbeing of Homeless Youth

By Lydia Boulter

Homelessness doesn't just affect adults; it profoundly impacts young children too. In the US, 1 in every 30 children are homeless (Bassuk et al., 1). In Oregon, more than half of the children facing homelessness are under the age of six (“Who are the Youth,” 1). Many of these youth grow up in poverty, relying on food stamps and cycling through shelters. These early experiences often shape their future, putting them at a significantly higher risk of becoming homeless as adults. Some of these children are born into homelessness and remain unhoused well into adulthood.

Often, due to neglect or the inability of their parents to properly provide care, these children are given to the Foster Care system. However, the Foster Care system, the way it is, does not adequately solve homelessness in youth. Shockingly, 51% of homeless adults were once children in foster care (“Housing & Homelessness,” 1), and up to 31% of foster youth become homeless immediately after aging out of the system at the age of 18 (“Who are the Youth,” 1). These numbers reveal a deeper truth: if homelessness is like a big tree, one of its largest roots is generational poverty. Families trapped in cycles of poverty pass down barriers such as a lack of stable housing, education, and mental health services that leave children with few opportunities to escape.

Consider the story of Jahnee S., who was only 8 years old when her family became homeless. She remembers the cold winter, snow falling outside, and the church that took them in. But even there, safety was limited. After just two days in an emergency shelter, Jahnee contracted lice. By age 16, she found herself and her family homeless again. This time, however, her parents believed she was old enough to survive on her own and said they could no longer afford to take care of her.

At that point, school became a luxury Jahnee couldn’t afford. She needed to find work just to survive. Like many homeless youth, especially young women, she faced increased risks of violence, crime, assault, drug abuse, and trauma. She dropped out of high school, overwhelmed by isolation and despair. “If everyone I ever loved left me alone,” she recalled thinking, “why should I care about my future?”

But Jahnee’s story didn’t end there. A few high school friends reached out and offered her a place to stay. With their support, and help from a school system that had access to social services, she reenrolled and eventually graduated. That support became a turning point in her life and helped her reclaim agency and confidence in herself.

Jahnee’s journey is one of resilience, but also chance (“The Pursuit of Education,” 1). She was fortunate that friends stepped in and that her school had the funding to help. Not every youth is so lucky.

Protecting children’s well-being is not just an individual responsibility; it requires a community-wide effort. We must expand social services in schools, in the foster care system, invest in trauma-informed care, and promote youth outreach programs in places where homeless families are most likely to see them, such as shelters, churches, and community centers. Why care? These are our children, and by proxy, our future. By caring for the children of today, we are taking steps towards a brighter future. By meeting children where they are and providing real support, we can break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Ending youth homelessness begins with us, together.

Below are youth outreach programs in Oregon that you can join to support your local community:

https://newavenues.org/
https://janusyouth.org/programs/
https://www.homeplateyouth.org/

 ________________________________________________________________________________

Works Cited

Bassuk, Ellen, et al. “America’s Youngest Outcasts: A Report Card on Child Homelessness.” American Institutes for Research, 30 Nov. 2014, www.air.org/resource/report/americas-youngest-outcasts-report-card-child-homelessness.

Cyndi. “Homelessness - NFYI.” NFYI - National Foster Youth Institute, 27 May 2021, nfyi.org/issues/homelessness-2/.

“Home.” New Avenues for Youth, newavenues.org/. Accessed 2025.

“HomePlate Youth Services.” HomePlate Youth Services, www.homeplateyouth.org/. Accessed 2025.

in. “Group of School Children with Teacher on Field Trip in Nature. Stock Photo | Adobe Stock.” Adobe Stock, 2025, stock.adobe.com/images/group-of-school-children-with-teacher-on-field-trip-in-nature/306962564?clickref=1110lg8BEsc&mv=affiliate&mv2=pz&as_camptype=&as_channel=affiliate&as_source=partnerize&as_campaign=vkra. Accessed 18 July 2025.

“Programs – Janus Youth Programs.” Janusyouth.org, janusyouth.org/programs/. Accessed 2025.

S., Jahnee. “The Pursuit of Education: A Story of Homelessness, Perseverance, and the Impact of Caring Educators.” SchoolHouse Connection, 26 Apr. 2021, schoolhouseconnection.org/article/the-pursuit-of-education-a-story-of-homelessness-perseverance-and-the-impact-of-caring-educators.

“Who Are the Youth Experiencing Homelessness?” Oregon.gov, Oregon Alliance, www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/BH-Child-Family/SOCAC/HB%202456,%202454%20Who%20are%20homeless%20youth%201%20pager.pdf. Accessed 17 July 2025.

How Can We Restore Dignity and End Exhaustion for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness?

In cities around the country, people who are experiencing homelessness face daily challenges that most of us cannot fully understand. While homelessness is often portrayed as a housing crisis, it is also a crisis of systemic barriers, dignity, and exhaustion. The battle to end homelessness isn’t just about providing a roof over someone's head, but also about restoring health and self-worth. Many cities lack adequate assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness. Outlined in this post are ways in which we can take meaningful steps towards restoring dignity and ending exhaustion for unhoused people.

Dignity is not a luxury; it is a basic human right. For people experiencing homelessness, simple dignities such as privacy and cleanliness are often out of reach. While some cities across the U.S. are beginning to shift this narrative, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Cities such as San Francisco and St. Louis have implemented mobile shower services and laundry vouchers to help people clean themselves and their clothing. These services improve physical health and help to restore a sense of normalcy and self-respect. 

Involving houseless people in the decisions that impact their lives is vital to their empowerment and restoring self-confidence. Local committees such as the Lived Experience Advisory Committee have established a platform composed of individuals with past and current experiences of homelessness. Other programs, such as Shelter Now, focus on building community and fostering trust between members of the homeless community. 

Homelessness is physically and emotionally draining. To truly support recovery, the root causes of this exhaustion must be addressed. A major step to ending exhaustion is to expand shelters and make them safer and more accessible to a wide array of people. Shelter availability is often limited, and many shelters can be unsafe for certain groups of people. Ensuring that these spaces are plentiful, safe, and not overcrowded is essential for offering rest and refuge to homeless individuals. The largest barrier, and arguably most difficult to overcome, is the lack of affordable housing and the complicated pathways to access it. The process to get into housing, even when someone can afford it, is almost always slow, confusing, and bureaucratic. Streamlining these systems and creating more affordable housing are critical steps to ending housing insecurity. 

Ending homelessness isn’t just about housing; it’s about humanity. It is about listening, responding, and lifting up those who have been pushed down by society. By focusing on dignity and addressing exhaustion, we create pathways to shelter and healing. Let’s change our cities to recognize the full dignity of every human being. Together, we can offer care that ends the exhaustion of homelessness and honors all of the members of our community.

To learn what you can do to help or to donate, click here:

https://outsidein.org/about-us/donate-now/

https://blanchethouse.org/ways-to-donate-blanchet

Written by: Nerise M.

Links: 

https://hsd.multco.us/lived-experience-advisory-committee/

https://www.shelternow.org/

https://www.stanthonysf.org/services/hygiene-hub/

https://lavamaex.org/local

Death of Houseless People Quadruple Due to Sweeps- Ryan Kelly

 

               Death of Homeless People Quadruple Due to Sweeps

    In 2019-2023 around 1200 homeless people have died in the Multnomah County of Oregon, with nearly all of these individuals being from Portland Oregon. 450 of the deceased were from 2023 alone as reported by the Multnomah County Health Department. This staggering increase has landed Multnomah County as the highest mortality rate among the homeless of all major west coast counties. What has caused the Multnomah County once known across the United States for its progressive stance towards the houseless to have been crowned the highest annual death rate for the unhoused in the west coast? It should be noted that while homeless is the more common term to refer to individuals without permanent or stable housing, this article will utilize the term unhoused to better humanize these heavily stigmatized against people

    Public pressure over removing the unhoused from public areas has increased over the years. This public pressure has led to a staggering amount of sweeps in Portland since 2021, totaling up to around 19,000. For the uninformed, sweeps are when the city forcefully displaces houseless individuals from public or private property. Forcefully moving people and their belongings might not seem lethal, but it turns out individuals who face multiple sweeps are 22% more likely to die from drug overdose. It isn’t as simple as using drugs as a crutch to the stress of being relocated. People lose access to resources such as community or medication availability for things such as opioid use disorders. People with substance problems trying to overcome them have the resources needed to overcome them made less accessible or straight up taken during the sweeps. One such individual was Debby Beaver who died in 2019 at the age of 57. She had a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and seizures. When her encampment was swept by a private for profit company hired by the city, they took her medicine and she died a week later. The company insisted that their workers did not seize Beaver’s medication, but was sued over the issue which was settled out of court in 2024.

    The consequence of the sweeps on Portland’s death toll concerning the unhoused is horrific. Ways to remedy this include contacting the mayor of Portland to focus more on long term housing programs then temporary shelters. It isn’t without public outcry to match the public opinion that encouraged such aggressive sweeping that the death rate can be mitigated. Having the highest mortality rate of west coast counties is a thing to be content about, it is shameful. A human life is not something that should be easily glossed over, we have the ability to fix the issue or bring awareness to it.

Want more information or similar articles? Click this link.

Want to contact a local official about issues regarding the unhoused? Click this link.

Citation

Portland said it was investing in homeless people’s safety. Deaths have skyrocketed. (2025, June 11). Street Roots. https://www.streetroots.org/news/2025/06/11/portland-homeless-deaths-multnomah-county

 Walters, J., Mosites, E., & Bruno, R. (n.d.). Domicile Unknown. Review of Deaths Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Multnomah County in 2023. https://multco.us/file/domicile_unknown_report%3A_analyzing_deaths_in_2023/download Zielinski, A. (2021, August 12). 

Family of houseless woman files wrongful death complaint against Sweeps contractor. Portland Mercury. https://www.portlandmercury.com/Housing/2021/08/12/35857487/family-of-houseless-woman-files-wrongful-death-complaint-against-sweeps-contractor




Written by Ryan Kelly

Only if We Take Action Will Homelessness Be Solved

By: Ryan Kennedy

Friday, June 13, 2025

Homelessness is an issue that should concern us all. People experiencing homelessness could be living in your neighborhood right now. They could be your coworkers or your neighbors without you even knowing it. These people aren't a threat to our safety or way of life - they are people just like us in need of help. So since we understand the seriousness of homelessness, why hasn't the problem been solved yet, why is it getting worse, and what are the best approaches to solving it?

There are likely people experiencing homelessness in your neighborhood, school, or company who may hide the situation they are in, meaning we may not even know when we're even dealing with a person experiencing homelessness. This means a community center approach is what's best. The only way to solve homelessness is by taking direct action ourselves. Giving donations is great, as is spreading awareness about the issues. But research has proven that community engagement is consistently the best way to help people experiencing homelessness. A megastudy from BMC Public Health indicates that direct community engagement significantly improves the lives of homeless people. If the homeless are directly in our communities, isn't it the job of the community to help?

All of this makes perfect sense. The homeless are members of our community and so it's up to us, the community, to help those in need. But what strategies of community engage work best? Research from Portland State University demonstrates that Portland's village and motel shelters model are a great way to tackle issues facing the homeless. Communities in Portland began building tiny-homes and doing motel conversions, which the research proved was a better model than larger traditional sites.

It's often the case that people experiencing homelessness are directly under our noses without us even knowing. Education and donations help, but they aren't the best way to solve the issue of homelessness. Research has proven that direct community engagement works best. Take action now and help those in need. Get involved with your local homeless organizations today.

Visit PDX Homeless Life for more information. 

Nowhere to Grow: The Hidden Toll of Family Homelessness

By Jordon Tagaloa

In Portland and across the U.S., the face of homelessness is changing—and it looks younger than most people think.

It’s a common misconception that homelessness only affects single men or those battling addiction. But families—many with young children—now make up a significant portion of the unhoused population. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. is part of a family with children. These aren’t just statistics. These are babies sleeping in cars, toddlers brushing their teeth in gas station sinks, and school-aged kids doing homework in emergency shelters or not at all.

Family homelessness is one of the most overlooked and dangerous forms of housing instability. It’s often less visible—families avoid street corners and encampments, hiding in motels, doubled-up situations, or unsafe temporary arrangements. But invisibility doesn’t equal safety. It means isolation, trauma, and a long-term impact that can follow children into adulthood.

What the Numbers Show

In 2023, HUD reported over 180,000 individuals in families with children experiencing homelessness nationwide. In Oregon, the number of homeless students identified by public schools was over 22,000, many of whom lacked consistent shelter throughout the year. This doesn’t even count infants and toddlers too young to be enrolled in school.

Compared to 10 years ago, these numbers have risen significantly, particularly in urban areas like Portland, where rent prices have outpaced wages and affordable housing options have shrunk. More families are just one paycheck, one eviction, or one emergency away from losing it all.

The Systems Meant to Help Are Falling Short

What makes family homelessness especially painful is the collapse of the systems designed to prevent it. The child welfare system, public housing, healthcare, education, and social services are all stretched thin—and when they don’t work together, families fall through the cracks.

In many cases, parents are doing everything right: working full-time, applying for housing, getting their kids to school. But a two-bedroom apartment in Portland now averages over $1,800/month. Childcare can cost nearly the same. Affordable housing vouchers have years-long waitlists. In other words, the “safety net” isn’t failing—it’s been cut to pieces.

Why This Matters—Now

Children who experience homelessness are more likely to suffer from developmental delays, depression, anxiety, and academic struggles. They’re more likely to become homeless as adults. And the longer a child remains unhoused, the harder it is to break the cycle.

This isn’t just a housing issue—it’s a public health crisis and a social justice issue. Black, Indigenous, and Latino families are disproportionately affected. LGBTQ+ parents face additional discrimination. And mothers—especially single mothers—carry the brunt of the weight.

What Can Be Done

We need a coordinated, trauma-informed approach to supporting families. That means:

• Rapid re-housing with priority given to families with children
  
  

• Expanded emergency shelter that is child-friendly, safe, and stable
  
  

• Integrated services across housing, education, and healthcare systems
  
  

• Long-term investments in affordable housing near schools and public transportation
  
  

Successful models already exist. In Salt Lake County, Utah, a family-focused housing initiative cut family homelessness by over 40% in just a few years. In New York City, the “Homebase” program connects at-risk families to services before they even lose their housing—saving money and lives.

Final Thought

Family homelessness shouldn’t be normal. It shouldn’t be invisible. And it definitely shouldn’t be acceptable in a country with this much wealth and potential.

If we want to invest in the future, we need to start by making sure every child has a stable place to sleep. Because nowhere to live means nowhere to grow.

From Cell to Sidewalk: Why Reentry Fails Without Housing

 By Jordon Tagaloa

Every year, over 600,000 people are released from U.S. prisons and jails. For many, freedom comes with a new kind of confinement—no ID, no job, no income, and nowhere to go. Within days, some end up sleeping in shelters, in their cars, or on the street. In Portland and across the Pacific Northwest, the cycle from incarceration to homelessness is not just common—it’s become expected.

And that should alarm us all.

A Problem Hiding in Plain Sight

People exiting the criminal legal system are ten times more likely to experience homelessness than the general public. For Black Americans—already overrepresented in both the justice system and the homeless population—that risk is even greater. In Multnomah County, nearly 25% of the homeless population has had some form of recent justice involvement. That’s not a coincidence—it’s policy failure.

Housing is one of the biggest barriers to successful reentry. Background checks, parole restrictions, and limited affordable options create a nearly impossible maze. And without stable housing, everything else—employment, recovery, mental health, reconnection with family—becomes harder, or impossible.

Why This Matters in the Northwest

Oregon has one of the highest rates of incarceration per capita on the West Coast. When people are released, they often return to the same neighborhoods that have been hit hardest by poverty, gentrification, and over-policing. Services exist, but they’re underfunded, overburdened, and rarely coordinated in a way that meets people’s actual needs.

Worse, Oregon’s housing shortage means even people with perfect records are struggling to find shelter. For someone with a felony, the odds are stacked even higher.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

When housing isn’t part of the reentry plan, people are more likely to return to jail or prison within months. One national study found that former inmates who are homeless are up to 7 times more likely to be reincarcerated. That doesn’t just destroy lives—it drains public resources.

Jails are not treatment centers. Sidewalks aren’t recovery spaces. And no one heals, stabilizes, or transforms while living in a tent.

What Can Be Done

Some cities are doing it differently. Los Angeles launched a “Housing for Reentry” pilot that combines permanent supportive housing with job training and case management. San Francisco expanded transitional housing for people on probation. Closer to home, Multnomah County's Transitions Projects and Central City Concern have housing options tied directly to reentry, but the need still outpaces supply.

We need to:

• Ban blanket housing discrimination against people with criminal records.
  
  

• Fund more transitional and permanent supportive housing for reentry populations.
  
  

• Connect parole and probation offices with housing providers.
  
  

• Invest in peer-led support teams made up of formerly incarcerated individuals.
  
  

This Isn’t About Excuses—It’s About Solutions

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about excusing crime. It’s about preventing people from being punished twice—first by the system, then by a society that offers no path forward.

From cell to sidewalk is not justice. If we want to break cycles of poverty, crime, and homelessness, we need to stop letting housing be the barrier that keeps people stuck.

Because no matter what someone’s past holds, they still need a place to sleep. A place to start over. A place to call home.

References

1. Couloute, L., & Kopf, D. (2018). Out of Prison & Out of Work: Unemployment among formerly incarcerated people. Prison Policy Initiative. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/outofwork.html
   
   

2. Harding, D. J., Morenoff, J. D., & Herbert, C. W. (2013). Home is Hard to Find: Neighborhoods, Institutions, and the Residential Trajectories of Returning Prisoners. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 647(1), 214–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716213477070
   
   

3. Fontaine, J., & Biess, J. (2012). Housing as a Platform for Formerly Incarcerated Persons. Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/housing-platform-formerly-incarcerated-persons
   
   

4. Travis, J., Western, B., & Redburn, S. (Eds.). (2014). The Growth of Incarceration in the United States: Exploring Causes and Consequences. National Research Council. https://doi.org/10.17226/18613
   
   

5. Multnomah County. (2023). Jail Reentry and Homelessness Data Dashboard. https://www.multco.us/jail-reentry-dashboard
   
   

6. LoBuglio, S., & Mauer, M. (2006). Why Are So Many Americans in Prison?. The Sentencing Project. https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/why-are-so-many-americans-in-prison/