“A Tent Isn’t a Home: Why Stability Matters More Than Temporary Fixes”

 

“A Tent Isn’t a Home: Why Stability Matters More Than Temporary Fixes”

By Jayden Brannan

11/30/2025

When people talk about homelessness, the focus often falls to tents. Tents in parks, tents near freeways, tents on sidewalks. But a tent isn't the real problem; it's part of a symptom of something much larger: a lack of stable, safe, long-term housing options.

It's easy to walk past a tent and think it's a choice or a lifestyle. But most people who are living outside want the same things the rest of us want: a door that locks, a warm bed, and a place where they actually feel safe. The reality is, the housing market and cost of living-in conjunction with a lack of accessible resources-push people into survival mode long before a tent ever shows up.

The problem isn't that people don't want help; it's that help is not designed for them.

Too often, the default proposed solution is a shelter, but shelters don't work for everyone. Some have strict rules; others ban pets, open only certain hours, or insist on crowded sleeping arrangements that are unsafe. Others can't accommodate people with partners, jobs that run late, or chronic health conditions.

It is not that people do not want support; rather, the available support does not fit their reality.

A Tent Might Give Someone Cover—but It Doesn’t Give Them Stability

Stability doesn't come from a nylon wall and a zipper. Stability comes from having:

A place where you are not forced to move every few days.

A home that isn't in jeopardy of being swept or thrown away

A space for rest, privacy, safety, and recovery

A chance to think beyond the next 24 hours

Without those things, it's nearly impossible to apply for a job, stay healthy, manage trauma, or plan for the future.

Stable Housing Works—We've Already Seen It

One thing we do know is that long-term housing solutions like Community Land Trusts, supportive housing, and affordable permanent units make a real difference. When people are given stability first, their health improves, they use fewer emergency services, and they're more likely to stay housed.

Housing should not be something a person has to "earn." It's the foundation people need in order to rebuild.

We Can Do Better—And We’ll All Be Better for It

Homelessness is not a personal failing; it's the result of systems, policies, and rising costs that leave people behind. When our communities are stable, safe, and supported, we all benefit.

If we stop looking at tents as the problem—and start looking at the lack of stable housing—we can move toward solutions that actually change lives. The following article breaks it down in simple terms for anyone looking to learn more about long-term housing solutions

If you care about a safer, healthier Portland, supporting long-term housing solutions is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference. Even learning a little more about how these systems work can help push our city toward real change.

If you want to dig deeper or support solutions that actually work, here’s a great place to start:

https://joinpdx.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/