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