The Issue May Be Wider Than We Think

Caleb Henry

Outdated and Insufficient

    One of the biggest problems facing solutions to homelessness is that we don’t actually know how many are affected. Accurately counting the number of homeless individuals in a region has been an unsolved problem for years. The best option we currently have is statistical inference after conducting surveys. However, no survey can be 100 percent accurate, and statistics can only give us an educated guess without more concrete information to go off of. How many people without shelter are actually out there?

    One method of counting, called Point In Time, is used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The method sends surveyors out on a single night in January each year to make an estimate of how many people are experiencing homelessness in the entire country for the whole year. This method leaves much to be desired because a small sample collected in a single night cannot accurately represent the extent of the problem. But to make matters worse, the count was understandably disrupted during COVID, which lead to relaxed data standards and allowing communities to opt out of the count altogether.

Doing the Best With What We Have

    Despite all its flaws, counts like this are often the best source of information we have available. We never seem to have a full picture, and this undoubtedly leads to improper or inefficient distribution of resources. How many people are living in cars? How many are living in abandoned buildings or natural areas that surveyors cannot reach? What are the demographics of these uncounted individuals? We simply don’t know.

    Experts warn that the Point In Time method discussed above underestimates the true scale of homelessness by up to a factor of 10. This means there could be up to 10 times as many people suffering from homelessness than the “best” data would predict. Yet this data is what’s being cited in legislation on the homeless issue and the funding of homeless aid programs. So what are the alternatives?

    One obvious solution is to increase the rate of surveys, but this will exponentially increase the cost of such data collection and will only provide more snapshots instead of revealing the bigger picture.

Results of a recent PIT count

New Ways Forward

    A better alternative is to use real time data and by-name lists to accurately and completely track as many homeless individuals as possible. A movement called Built For Zero has reversed the growth of the homeless population in 15 communities using this method, and there are 150 more actively working toward the same goal.

    Another solution is to target one demographic at a time. For example, by focusing on veterans, we can more easily keep track of and give aid to specific individuals. In 2014 New Orleans became the first city to completely eradicate veteran homelessness by using this method. 10 years later, they have maintained their momentous achievement and still ensure that veterans who find themselves on the street are placed in permanent housing within 30 days on average. You can read about it here.

    If we want similar results in our own communities, we must look for new ways to obtain accurate and reliable data about the homeless population. We cannot help those that we don’t know are there. However, having better information can help us make more informed decisions and lift as many people out of homelessness as possible.

The Root Cause of Homelessness: A Lack of Affordable Housing

By: Nerise Melarkey

Experts report that a lack of affordable housing is the biggest cause of homelessness. It was reported that only around 35 units of housing out of every 100 qualify as low-income housing across the country. In Multnomah County, it is even worse, with about 28/100 units qualifying. This epidemic could easily be mitigated by the building of more affordable housing options. Around the Portland metro area, you can see dozens of new apartments and condos being built. Many of these will be more expensive to rent than existing housing. With so many residents of Multnomah and Washington counties on the street, we must ask ourselves why more unaffordable housing is being built when the need for low-income housing is so high.

Racial and socioeconomic discrimination may come into play. The processes of banking and mortgage lending are historically discriminatory, redlining many groups from home ownership. These types of policies and discrimination on a corporate level can have devastating effects on the ease with which someone can buy a home or get into stable housing, thus perpetuating the homeless crisis. On average, ¾ households that are eligible for federal housing assistance do not receive it due to a lack of program funding. The chronic lack of funding for rental assistance programs causes many people to be unable to afford rent or get into a home. The NIMBY mindset (Not In My Backyard) actively stands as a significant barrier to the development of affordable housing. Many housed residents report worrying that the presence of low-income housing in their neighborhood will lead to increased crime. The issue with this mindset is that individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness are once again being blamed for their situation, while the processes that perpetuate it are being ignored. Providing housing for these individuals is imperative to ending the crisis of homelessness. Affordable housing is necessary to the improvement of our community and the quality of life for all of its residents. 

Links to affordable housing programs and services:

https://www.washingtoncountyor.gov/housing

https://noah-housing.org/

https://www.homeforward.org/

https://multco.us/info/affordablesubsidized-housing-resources

References:

https://www.oregonhealthforum.org/2019/06/03/may-31-2019-lack-of-affordable-housing-is-biggest-cause-of-homelessness-expert-says/

https://endhomelessness.org/a-shortage-of-affordable-housing/

Inflation: A Pandemic Causing People to Become Homeless

 

Image of woman in small permanent home for homeless next to a house. Source: https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/what-do-unhoused-homeless-people-want/

By Mark Lim | August 10th 2025

Many people see homelessness as something that is caused by laziness, unwillingness to work, demotivation, and many other stigmas that are out there. Although there are cases like those that exist, there are many stories that go untold because of the stigmas that surround homeless people. Another reason that many people face homelessness is because of inflation.

Inflation has been affecting people as the rising prices are demanding of those who are facing homelessness. People struggle to even pay their rent or mortgage so the added cost of inflation causes them to be in a difficult spot. They may have to cheap out on meals or may not be able to eat some meals at all. As the economy gets tougher for them, they lose their homes and eventually become homeless. 

In a study by https://endhomelessness.org/blog/rising-rents-and-inflation-are-likely-increasing-low-income-families-risk-of-homelessness/, we can see that we have reached a 40 year peak when it comes to inflation. It has been increase to 8.6 percent back in May 2021 to 2022. This was after the COVID pandemic which many people were already struggling through as well. The inflation created more homelessness and the article also mentions that average hourly earnings were actually decreased 3 percent over the year when we adjust for inflation. The climbing rent along with the low wages and inflation make it hard for people to make ends meet. By the time they finish one payment, they have to make another.

How to Help

Donations

References

Eshman, R. (2022, October 17). What do homeless people really want? Zócalo Public Square. Retrieved [today’s date, e.g., August 10, 2025], from https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/what-do-unhoused-homeless-people-want/

Hall, A. (2022, June 17). Rising rents and inflation are likely increasing low-income families’ risk of homelessness. National Alliance to End Homelessness. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://endhomelessness.org/blog/rising-rents-and-inflation-are-likely-increasing-low-income-families-risk-of-homelessness/

Food Insecurity as a Cause of Homeless Exhaustion

 

Photo of a food drive at a woman's shelter. Source: https://nara.getarchive.net/media/from-left-to-right-gerry-salas-environmental-engineer-dece7e

By Nicole Johnson | August 9, 2025

When talking about restoring dignity and ending exhaustion for those living on the street, the focus is often on housing solutions and addiction counseling. For many, however, the constant struggle for food is a far more pressing issue. According to the Oregon Food Bank, “1 in 8 people and 1 in 6 kids in Oregon and Southwest Washington face food insecurity” (Oregon Food Bank, 2025). Hunger and malnutrition are serious, pervasive issues that leave the body both mentally and physically exhausted. As homelessness and starvation often go hand in hand, minimizing the impact of food insecurity makes other forms of intervention less humane. A greater emphasis must be placed on establishing accessible access to nutritious meals before individuals can benefit from housing, healthcare, and other long-term solutions.

Food Insecurity is an Immediate Crisis

Food is essential for physical wellbeing. Without a consistent flow of calories, protein, vitamins, and nutrition, the body begins to break down. According to the Institute of Global Homeless, immediate causes of malnutrition include “dizziness, cracked lips, difficulty walking, and low blood pressure, organ failure, decreased ability to heal cuts, scratches, and other injuries” (DePaul University, n.d.). As one starves, their energy levels plummet and even basic tasks like walking and standing become exhausting to impossible. Within weeks, a lack of adequate access to nutrition can lead to pneumonia, hypothermia, and ultimately death.

Just as food insecurity can have negative physical outcomes, it can have negative emotional and mental outcomes as well. Starvation triggers the body’s stress response, leading to a rise in cortisol levels. This has several negative outcomes including memory impairment, a struggle to focus, and an increase in depressive symptoms. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, there is an “association between some mental health conditions and food insecurity among homeless adults” (Loftus, Lachaud, Hwang, & Meja-Lancheros, 2020). The study noted a direct correlation in rates of depression, psychiatric hospitalizations, and suicide attempts in houseless individuals experiencing starvation.

Help End Starvation Today

Food insecurity is not an unsolvable problem. Writing to government agencies like the Portland City Council and petitioning for food aid is a meaningful way of becoming an advocate. For those with time and financial means, consider volunteering or donating to local shelters fighting starvation. The Oregon Food Bank runs numerous programs that provide fresh produce and pantry staples to individuals and families in need. For youth under 18 facing homelessness, New Avenues for Youth provides meals and groceries along with temporary housing solutions. These programs are actively fighting starvation but need assistance to operate. Food is a human right and your input can help sustain and expand these vital services, ensuring that no one in our community stuffers from starvation.

 

Make Your Voice Heard

Write to the Portland City Council

 

Donate & Volunteer

Oregon Food Bank

New Avenues for Youth

 

References

DePaul University. (n.d.). Advocating for international homelessness policy focused on definition and measurement. Retrieved from Ruff Institute of Global Homelessness: https://ighomelessness.org/

Loftus, E., Lachaud, J., Hwang, S., & Meja-Lancheros, C. (2020, July 22). Food insecurity and mental health outcomes among homeless adults: a scoping review. Retrieved from National Library of Medicine: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10195420/

Oregon Food Bank. (2025, May 14). Oregon Hunger Facts. Retrieved from Oregon Food Bank: https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/posts/oregon-hunger-facts

  

 

 

Coming Out Shouldn’t Mean Sleeping Outside: The Crisis of the Unhoused LGTBQ+ Youth

By Jose Perez Perez

 

When we think of the unhoused, we rarely consider the youth, let alone the LGBTQ+ youth. However, across the nation, many young queer and trans people are sleeping on the streets due to the abuse and neglect they face after coming out. LGBTQ+ youth are a small fraction of the general population; however, they experience being unhoused at a much higher rate. According to The Trevor Project, about 40% of all unhoused youth in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+, even though they make up less than 10% of the total youth population. This shows just how serious and risky coming out can be in America. For many, it means losing access to food, safety, shelter, and even family.

 

Facing the harshness of the streets, LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of violence, exploitation, and mental health struggles. They live without stability, regular meals, and access to basic hygiene or healthcare. Even finding a shelter comes with its own challenges. Many shelter environments are hostile toward LGBTQ+ youth, with issues of bullying, discrimination, or rejection altogether. This shows that being unhoused is about more than lacking a roof over your head. It is about losing the chance to feel safe, supported, and seen.

 

Being true to oneself should never be a reason to lose access to food, safety, security, shelter or family. No one, especially the youth, should be punished for their identity. If we want to restore dignity to marginalized LGBTQ+ youth, we must create safer and more affirming spaces. This means funding shelters that provide the right support and resources, investing in outreach programs, and challenging the harmful stigma that coming out should not cost someone everything.

 

Want to Help?

New avenues’ Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) offers essential support from food, clothing and hygiene supplies to safe space, support groups and counseling. You can donate directly to New Avenues Here. Your donation will go towards creating a safer, more dignified and hopeful future for the LGBTQ+ youth

Women Experiencing Houselessness in Portland: Overlooked and Underserved

 

            Image of unhoused women waiting in line for a bed at a shelter. Portland.gov. (Accessed August 5th 2025) https://www.portland.gov/homelessness-impact-reduction

By Emma Fleming | August 5th 2025

When people think of homelessness in Portland, they often picture a man. This image leaves out a large part of the houseless population. Women make up a significant part of the community. In Multnomah County, about 34% of people experiencing houselessness identify as women, transgender, nonbinary, or gender-questioning, and 43% of unsheltered individuals identify as female (Stark, Liz).

Behind the numbers, real people are experiencing this reality. Many of them are trying to survive in the face of violence. A large number of women lose their housing after escaping domestic violence. Up to 80% of unhoused women say they’ve experienced sexual or domestic violence (Stark, Liz). In Portland, women who have left unsafe situations face another impossible choice: go back to dangerous situations or wait weeks, even months, for a bed. The few options available may not feel safe and the referral process can shut them out when they’re in need (Marks, Makenna).

Living outside is dangerous for anyone, but women (nonbinary and transgender) often face greater specific risks. A safe place to sleep, access to menstrual products, or even a clean restroom can be hard to find. Harassment, theft, and sexual assault are constantly threatened. Some women limit or avoid eating and/or drinking to lessen how often they use the bathroom. The available, far and few between, public restrooms can be an unsafe place for them. This along with many other factors creates a toll on physical and emotional health.

Healthcare is another part of the houseless cycle women face as there is a lack of trauma-informed care. Mental health crises and addiction can be left untreated due to this. The system functions in a way where they can be forced into managing their symptoms without assistance. This increases the difficulty even more for women caring for children. If care doesn’t account for trauma history, gender-based violence, or pregnancy, it ends up leaving the women without help.

There are organizations and community built resources which are creating hope. Blanchet House is creating “Bethanie’s Room”, a 75-bed overnight shelter for women (including trans and nonbinary individuals). They are scheduled to open this upcoming fall, 2025. This will be the first women-only shelter on the west side. It’s designed to be low-barrier, trauma-informed, and staffed entirely by women..

What Women Need (Portland Specific):

• More low-barrier, women-only shelters with trauma-informed care
  
  

• Access to menstrual/hygiene products
  
  

• Integrated healthcare and mental health services
  
  

The Statistics:

• Oregon ranks first in the U.S. for unhoused families. This burden often falls on mothers trying to keep their children safe while living outside (Castillo, Elizabeth)
  
  

• In 2025, Multnomah County had 15,245 people experiencing houselessness, but only had about 2,485 shelter beds. This means most people go without overnight help (Castillo, Elizabeth)
  
  

• Deaths among people experiencing houselessness in the county rose from 113 in 2019 to over 450 in 2023 (lack of safe shelter as a major factor) (Castillo, Elizabeth)
  
  

Progress is happening, but it’s not enough, yet. Bethanie’s Room is a promising start, and organizations like Rose Haven and Blanchet House are offering daytime services for women to find clothes, showers, and a sense of community. Until trauma-informed shelters, hygiene access, and mental health care is widely available, too many women will keep falling through the cracks.

These women are not invisible, they’ve been made invisible by our system. They’re survivors, not just statistics. They deserve more than a mat on the floor for one night. They deserve safety, respect, dignity, and a chance to rebuild. If we want to address houselessness in Portland, meeting specific needs women have can not be an afterthought, it needs to be a central issue.

Want to help?

• Donate or volunteer with women-focused nonprofits like Blanchet House https://blanchethouse.org/portland-womens-shelter-bethanies-room/ or Rose Haven https://rosehaven.org/

• Support policies that expand low-barrier women’s emergency shelter
  
  

• Advocate for menstrual and hygiene access programs
  
  

• Push for trauma-informed training across houseless services

Sources:

• Castillo, Elizabeth. OPB (June 17th 2025). In Multnomah County, homeless deaths are on the rise. https://www.opb.org/article/2025/06/17/think-out-loud-multnomah-county-homeless-deaths-rise-data/

• Marks, Makenna. KPTV (December 10th, 2024). Blanchet House unveils plans for new women’s shelter. https://www.kptv.com/2024/12/11/blanchet-house-unveils-plans-new-womens-shelter/

• Stark, Liz. Rose Haven (July 30th 2025). Understanding Homelessness in Portland: Check Your Knowledge! https://rosehaven.org/understanding-homelessness-in-portland/

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/

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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.