Cold Fronts and Cold Streets: Winter Homelessness in PDX

By Nina Bockius

November 30, 2025

As the winter months approach in Portland, the temperature begins to drop. Most of us are heading inside, turning up the heat, grabbing an extra blanket, or cozying up into bed. But for thousands of people living unsheltered in Portland, winter doesn’t just mean discomfort it is a means of survival. The winters in Portland are wet, windy, and unpredictable.

Even with shelters, there aren’t enough beds for everyone. Many individuals can’t or won’t use them because of safety concerns, their stuff isn’t allowed, or their animals are not welcome. Instead, they stay outside, making camps out of tents, tarps, cardboard, and whatever else they can find.

Imagine what it would feel like waking up damp and freezing cold and still having to walk to find a meal or use a restroom. That is the reality for way too many of the individuals living on the streets in Portland.

This isn’t just a “homelessness problem.” It is a public health crisis, a moral issue, and something our city needs to act on.

Why does it matter?

Because people shouldn’t have to risk their lives just to sleep. Because we can create solutions that actually make a difference, more beds in the shelters, better resources for those who feel unsafe in them, and real support for the individual’s experiencing homelessness.

It matters because they are humans too, they deserve to feel taken care of and supported. No one should have to risk their life because they do not have a warm place to sleep.

If you want to learn more about how to help or get involved, click below:

https://www.streetroots.org/news/2022/11/16/winter-resource-guide-where-get-help

Breaking the Cycle : Understanding the Foster-Care to Homeless Pipeline

Youth Homelessness is not random. It often follow a predictable pipeline for young people aging out of the foster care system. Here are the key things that I want readers to understand: 

 1.) Many foster youth lose housing stability the moment they turn 18. 

When a support system ends abruptly, young people are left to figure out housing, work, and adulthood with little guidance. This sudden cutoff is one of the biggest predictors of homelessness.

2.) Trauma makes stability harder to achieve. 

Foster kids often carry trauma from early experiences or from moving through multiple placements. Trauma affects emotional regulation, trust, and long term planning. Which makes navigating housing systems even more difficult. 

3.) Housing is not just physical, its emotional safety. 

a stable home provides routine, and a sense of being cared for. Many foster youth age out without a lasting support network. Leaving them at the exact stage when most young adults rely heavily on family. 

4.) Prevention is cheaper and more humane than crisis Reponses. 

Programs that offer transitional housing mentorship, and financial support cost far less than an emergency shelter. Investing earlier prevents harm rather than reacting to it. 

5.) Community support make a real difference. 

Volunteers, mentors, and community organizations help fill the gaps the system leaves behind. Providing essentials or simply showing up consistently, stable relationships reduce youth homeless rates. 

6.) A just future means no young person ages out alone. 

My hope is for a future where every foster youth receives long term guidance, stable housing options, and the emotional support they deserve. No eighteen year old should be expected to survive adulthood without help. 

My hope is for a future where every foster youth receives long term guidance, stable housing, and emotional support they deserve. No eighteen year old should be expected to survive adulthood without help. 

 For those who want to learn more about the foster care to homelessness pipeline here is a helpful resource from the National Alliance to End Homelessness https://endhomelessness.org/overview/

Why Community Land Trusts Are the Affordable Housing Solution We Need, and Why You Should Care?

Housing in many U.S. cities is spiraling out of reach, but there’s a powerful, proven tool that not enough people know about: Community Land Trusts (CLTs). Unlike traditional real estate, CLTs separate land ownership from building ownership. The nonprofit trust owns the land, and homeowners own the structures, paying a long-term ground lease and agreeing to a resale formula that keeps the home permanently affordable (National League of Cities, 2021). 

What doesthat mean in real life? Homes in CLTs stay affordable for generations. Even if neighborhood values skyrocket, CLT homes aren’t flipped for profit, they remain anchored to the community (Grounded Solutions Network, 2024). CLTs aren’t just good for homeowners, they’re good for neighborhoods. By protecting residents from displacement in gentrifying areas, CLTs help maintain community stability and social cohesion. Governance structures include residents, local leaders, and nonprofits, giving people a real voice in shaping their community (Network for Philadelphia, 2022). 

Even in economic downturns, CLT homeowners are more stable than market homeowners and feel a stronger sense of security (Urban Institute, 2023). Some argue CLTs limit wealth-building due to resale caps, that’s true, but this trade-off prioritizes collective stability over speculative gain (Brookings Institution, 2021). Why you should care: If you’re worried about rising housing costs, for your neighbors, your community, or even your own taxes, supporting CLTs helps build lasting affordability. It ensures long-term residents aren’t priced out and that public subsidies have lasting impact (Milwaukee CLT, 2024). For the next generation, our children, or your neighbor’s kids, CLTs offer security, belonging, and a stake in their future. They’re more than homes; they’re roots. Want to learn more or help build one where you live? 

Click here to discover how Community Land Trusts work and how to support them . 

Sources (for reference):

National League of Cities. (2021). What city leaders need to know about Community Land Trusts. 

Grounded Solutions Network. (2024). Community Land Trusts. Network for Philadelphia. (2022). Fact Sheet: Community Land Trusts. Urban Institute. (2023). Do Community Land Trusts Improve Resident Outcomes? Brookings Institution. (2021). Community Land Trusts: An old-school innovation with new-school applications. Milwaukee CLT. (2024). Why CLTs?

Funding Failure: Portland's $14.7M Budget for Cruelty

 

Jamie Partridge, member of the Democratic Socialists of America, listens to public testimony at the City Council meeting.
Eli Imadali / OPB

By Abby Watson

A recent, contentious City Council meeting revealed a deep and growing divide in Portland’s leadership, a chasm created by Mayor Wilson’s failed strategy to address homelessness in Portland. The fight wasn’t even about eliminating his controversial sweeps program; it was a modest proposal to cut $4.3 million from its $14.7 million annual budget. $4.3 million that was meant to be reallocated to direct aid and housing programs, like housing grants, food assistance, and support services. But even that was too much for the Mayor, who fought to protect every dollar for his “Impact Reduction Program”: a program that does not reduce impacts, but rather displaces the unhoused.

The core of the conflict is simple: other city leaders are finally stating publicly that the Mayor’s strategy is both harmful and a colossal waste of money. As Councilor Mitch Green stated, these sweeps are “not only ineffective, they are counterproductive,” adding that they “layer trauma on top of trauma, and they lead to more deaths on our streets.” Councilor Candace Avalos was just as blunt, noting the city is “spending millions and millions” to move people block to block without addressing the real issue.

This public, bitter division at City Hall is the inevitable result of Mayor Wilson’s insular, unilateral strategy that actively excluded community and expert voices. When a Mayor designs multi-million dollar systems, from unwanted shelters to traumatic sweeps, without a shred of meaningful collaboration, the result is a city at war with itself. This desperate budget fight is a symptom of a failed partnership, one that the Mayor refused to build. This is the inevitable outcome when leaders are forced to beg for compassion in a public forum because they were never invited to the table in the first place.

The Mayor got his way. The proposal to cut his sweeps budget failed. The city will continue to spend $14.7 million to displace its most vulnerable residents. This is Mayor Wilson’s choice: to fund a revolving door of trauma.

But while Mayor Wilson chooses to exclude the unhoused from his plan, you can choose to support them directly. Click here to support Street Roots, the newspaper that gives the unhoused of Portland a voice and income with dignity. 

Stable Housing, Healthy Lives: Why Affordability Matters

 By: Alisa Isler

Imagine trying to focus on work, school, or even sleep while worrying about losing your home. Every noise outside could be an eviction notice. Every paycheck feels like a race against rent. Housing insecurity isn’t just about where someone sleeps; it’s about whether they can live without constant fear.

A recent study by Chen and colleagues found that when housing becomes more stable and affordable, people’s health and lives improve. Several programs provide tangible benefits to individuals facing housing insecurity, including:

• Eviction moratoriums give families time to recover from unexpected hardships without losing their homes.

• Emergency rent assistance helps cover a tough month before it spirals into homelessness.

• Long-term rental subsidies, such as Section 8 vouchers, enable families to remain rooted in their communities, providing years of stability rather than just weeks or months.

When families have a safe and affordable place to live, they can focus on healing, learning, and growth. Children do better in school. Adults are healthier and more productive. Neighborhoods are safer, stronger, and more connected.

Housing insecurity isn’t just an individual problem; it affects entire communities. Frequent moves disrupt schools, workplaces, and neighborhood networks. When people are forced to relocate constantly, communities lose trust and resilience.

Supporting policies and programs that keep housing affordable benefits everyone. Small actions add up: advocating for fair rent laws, donating to local housing nonprofits, or volunteering your time can make a real difference.

When housing is stable, people thrive. Families grow stronger. Communities become healthier. And all of us benefit from a society where everyone has a safe place to call home.

Learn more: Association of Promoting Housing Affordability and Stability With Improved Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review — Chen et al., JAMA Network Open (2022)

Stability Through Support: How Coaching Transforms Veterans Lives

Jonathan Smith

Have you ever seen a homeless veteran and wondered how those that should be the most honored in our society are too often those that must resort to living on the streets?

For many veterans, transitioning from military service to civilian life is quite the challenge, as they are often confronted with the tough obstacle of finding meaningful employment that matches their skills and experience For some, the lack of guidance, coaching, or resources can lead to underemployment or even instability in housing. 

A 2022 study, A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Employment Program for Veterans Transitioning from the Military, shows that structured employment support through counseling and coaching can make a measurable difference

Researchers examined the National Career Coach Program (NCCP), which focuses on in-person training, personalized coaching, financial incentives, and job-search resources.

Researchers studied 208 transitioning service members, many with service-connected disabilities, comparing two approaches:

• Local Community Resources (LCR): The standard support veterans might typically access, such as state and federal vocational programs.
  
  

• National Career Coach Program (NCCP): A structured program combining in-person training, personalized coaching, financial incentives, and job-search resources.

The goal was simple: see which approach helped veterans find and sustain paid employment while improving overall health and well-being over a two-year period.

The findings were clear: veterans who received intensive coaching through NCCP not only found jobs more quickly but also sustained them longer and earned significantly more.

• Employment: 95% of NCCP participants found paid work, compared to 83% in the standard support group.
  
  

• Income: NCCP participants earned an average of $2,568 per month versus $1,865 for the standard group—roughly $17,000 more over two years. 

These results demonstrate that once veterans have access to personalized support that translates their military experience into civilian skills, they can thrive both financially and personally.

The path from service to stability shouldn’t be one veterans walk alone. Programs like NCCP prove that with the right support, every veteran can thrive. It’s up to us to make sure those opportunities exist.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Employment Program for Veterans Transitioning from the Military: Two-Year Outcomes - PMC 

Portland's Shelter Plan: Built for Sweeps, Not for People

Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB

By Abby Watson

For unhoused Portlanders in recovery, 280 new, dedicated shelter beds are on the way. A recent OPB report detailing the new shelter notes that this is the latest, concrete step in Mayor Wilson's ambitious 1,500-bed plan. It also marks a significant new strategy for the city, which is stepping in to provide services historically managed (and, in the Mayor's view, mismanaged) by Multnomah County.

But here lies a paradox: for a city with thousands of people living unhoused, these new shelters have nightly vacancy rates of up to 80%. This outcome isn't surprising. It's what happens when the City and Mayor Wilson design services without consulting the people who are supposed to use them. A recent poll cited in the same OPB article of unhoused people in Portland made it clear they overwhelmingly prefer options like "tiny home villages, motels, and RVs" to the Mayor's traditional cot shelters.

Mayor Wilson asserts that this is not a failure but his strategy; he wants "hundreds of empty beds every night". Why? Because this system of 1,500 shelter beds relies on having empty beds to "enforce community standards", Mayor Wilson's way of openly stating his intent to enforce Portland's anti-camping policies. This paints a clearer picture of the motivations behind providing 1,500 shelter beds that many don't want; they are a legal tool to justify sweeping unhoused populations off the streets. Under the law, unhoused people approached by law enforcement must either enter a shelter if a bed is available or be cited and fined. If they don't pay the fine and miss court, they could face incarceration.

The overnight shelters Mayor Wilson is opening in Portland are expensive revolving doors that force the unhoused out of sight rather than provide housing opportunities. The city and county are focused on temporary mat shelters. But their own partners, such as Do Good Multnomah, know that the real solution is in their bridge housing and pod village programs. 

Click here to see the proven, dignified housing solutions Do Good Multnomah is already building.

The Human Side of Portland’s Homeless Crisis: Why We Need to Look Closer

by Nina Bockius

November 6, 2025

As you walk along the streets of downtown Portland, it’s hard not to notice the number of tents, sleeping bags, and camps set up. But what we tend not to look at, is the person or people behind these struggles; people who once had a home, a job, and a “normal” life. 

Oftentimes homelessness is looked at in numbers, like a statistic on a page. But behind every number counted, is a person with their own story. Portland estimates 12,034 people experiencing homelessness, with a 61% increase since 2023. While it is easiest to blame it on drug addictions, mental health issues, and lack of resources, the biggest cause is rent prices. 

As housing prices increase, so does the number or individuals without roofs over their heads.

So what can we do?

We can start by listening and treating people like humans. What if instead of walking past them on the sidewalk we stopped and talked? What if we supported local groups that help people rebuild their lives? What if we donated our time, a meal, or even just listen to their stories? Any of these acts make a little difference, a lot more than we think. 

We should all care because this is a community, and the people that live outside are still just as much a part of the community as everyone else. 

To learn more about the people experiencing homelessness in Portland, click here: https://www.streetroots.org/news/2024/09/18/new-documentary-no-place-grow-old-spotlights-portland-s-aged-homelessness-crisis

Image from ProPublica

City officials fail to address homelessness - resulting in spike of deaths

by Jessica Hendrix

November 4th, 2025

Between 2019 and 2023, we tragically lost around 1,200 individuals experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County. Among these, 142 deaths were due to homicide or suicide, an alarming rate 18 times higher than that of the general population in Portland. On average, folx who are housless die 30 years earlier than the average life expectancy of 78 years. Our houseless neighbors are dying at a higher rate than any major county on the west coast.

From 2021 to 2024, the city has invested approximately $200,000 per homeless resident, yet the number of deaths among our homeless community has quadrupled. In just two years, the fatalities increased from 113 in 2021 to over 450 in 2023, making it clear that this crisis requires urgent attention.

Concerns raised by the community led city leaders to implement strategies that have often prioritized visibility over wellbeing, resulting in over 19,000 sweeps since 2021. Unfortunately, data shows that these actions have only contributed to a spike in deaths.

Funding for stable, permanent housing has significantly dwindled, from $19.4 million in 2019 to just $4.3 million in 2024. Instead, funding for sweeps and temporary shelter beds has ballooned, rising from $16.3 million in 2021 to an estimated $72.5 million in 2025. Despite adding 826 beds since 2021, this initiative falls drastically short of the needs of over 15,000 people currently experiencing homelessness in Portland.

Image from ProPublica

Research indicates that sweeps not only fail to enhance safety but can actually increase vulnerability, placing those affected at greater risk of harm and death. During these sweeps, individuals often lose access to vital resources such as medications, shelter, food, and clothing. This loss exacerbates the cycle of addiction and increases the likelihood of overdose death by 10% to 20% among those who repeatedly face displacement.

While local organizations like Rose Haven, and dedicated civil rights law firms are working tirelessly to address these challenges, the systemic issues persist, largely unaddressed.

The root cause of homelessness in Portland overwhelmingly points to a lack of affordable housing. Current rental prices are simply out of reach for many, especially those most affected by homelessness.

How Can You Help?

You can make a difference. Contact city officials and voice your concerns. Demand the urgent need for affordable housing. A monthly rent of $1,200 is unattainable for many in our community, especially those who are experiencing homelessness.

Your voice matters, and together, we can advocate for the necessary changes to create a more compassionate and equitable Portland for everyone. Let’s rally together to lift up those in need and work towards a solution that ensures safe and stable homes for all.