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Navigating the complexities of Portland's homelessness services requires a centralized, accessible, and dynamic source of information. A community-built knowledge base, like this wiki, is the ideal tool for this purpose. Unlike static reports or fragmented news articles, a wiki allows for the collective expertise of residents, service providers, academics, and individuals with lived experience to be documented, organized, and constantly updated. This collaborative model ensures that the information is comprehensive, reflecting the diverse perspectives and on-the-ground realities of the crisis. From detailing specific city policies and the resources offered by various non-profits to explaining key terminology and historical context, this wiki serves as a single point of reference that can evolve as the situation on the streets and in government halls changes. By fostering shared knowledge, this platform can help create a more informed community, empower advocates, and provide crucial, up-to-date information to those in need.
Data of Facilities
Map of incidents - email incidents to incident@opencommons.org for more details go to Incident Reporting Instructions
Videos of HMIS and Data Wallet
Getting started
This is a community website. We need people to correct and update the data so it stays current. Please use the link below to add shelter data.
Overview and Statistics
Portland has one of the highest unsheltered homeless rates in the United States. According to recent "Point-in-Time" (PIT) counts, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County has seen significant increases. The 2023 count found a 29% increase in unsheltered homelessness in the county compared to the previous year. Estimates suggest over 11,000 people were experiencing homelessness in Portland and the surrounding areas in 2023, with approximately 65% of those being unsheltered.
Key demographic trends among the homeless population in Portland include:
- Racial Disparities: Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are disproportionately affected by homelessness, a reflection of systemic inequities.
- Age and Gender: There has been a notable increase in the number of women and older adults experiencing homelessness. In 2023, 43% of unsheltered individuals in Multnomah County identified as female.
- Chronic Homelessness: A significant portion of the population is considered chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for more than a year or have had multiple episodes of homelessness.
Causes of Homelessness
The factors contributing to Portland's homelessness crisis are multifaceted and often interconnected.
Housing and Economic Factors:
- Lack of Affordable Housing: Portland has a high cost of living and a tight housing market with low rental vacancy rates. The supply of affordable housing has not kept pace with population growth, making it difficult for many low-income residents to secure stable housing.
- Stagnant Wages: While housing costs have risen, wages have not kept up, pushing more people into poverty and housing instability.
Systemic and Social Issues:
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse: A portion of the homeless population struggles with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders. However, a significant number of people who experience these challenges do not become homeless, indicating that the lack of affordable housing is the primary driver.
- Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is a major contributor to homelessness, particularly for women and families.
Historical Factors:
- Deinstitutionalization: The closure of large psychiatric hospitals without a corresponding increase in community-based care in the 1980s contributed to an increase in unsheltered populations with severe mental illnesses.
- Urban Renewal and Displacement: Historically, urban renewal projects and discriminatory housing policies like redlining have displaced communities, particularly Black families, creating cycles of poverty and housing instability that persist today.
Effects of the Crisis
The homeless crisis has wide-ranging effects on both the individuals experiencing it and the broader community.
Human Impact: Unsheltered people face immense risks to their health and safety. In 2023, a record number of unsheltered deaths were reported in Multnomah County.
Community Impact: The visibility of homelessness has led to concerns from businesses and residents. There is a correlation between the homeless crisis and declining commercial activity, rising commercial vacancies, and a perceived decrease in public safety and quality of life.
Government Response and Initiatives
Government agencies at the city, county, and regional levels have implemented a number of policies and initiatives to address the crisis.
Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS): A partnership between Multnomah County and the City of Portland, the JOHS is the primary body responsible for coordinating the homeless response system. It operates on a "Homelessness Response Action Plan."
Supportive Housing Services Fund: A regional measure passed by voters, this fund provides resources for housing and supportive services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Affordable Housing Bonds: Metro, the regional government, has passed bonds to fund the creation of new affordable housing units.
"Housing First" Model: While Portland has embraced this model, which prioritizes providing stable housing as a first step, there is a recognized need for more short-term and emergency shelter beds.
Resources and Services
A wide network of non-profit organizations, government agencies, and community groups provide services to people experiencing homelessness in Portland.
Housing and Shelter: Services range from emergency shelters and transitional housing to permanent supportive housing. Organizations like Portland Rescue Mission, Transition Projects, and Do Good Multnomah are key providers.
Essential Needs: Many organizations provide food, clothing, hygiene facilities, and other basic needs. Examples include Oregon Food Bank and Blanchet House.
Outreach and Support: Outreach teams connect unsheltered individuals with services. The Portland Street Response is an alternative to police for non-emergency behavioral health calls. The phone number 211 is a central resource for connecting people with a wide range of social services.
External Links
Joint Office of Homeless Services
Metro Housing and Homelessness
Multnomah County Homeless Information Knowledge Base