Out of the Streets of Portland

“Out of the Streets of Portland” highlights the stories of our current and formerly houseless neighbors and explains the systems and services funded by Multnomah County's Joint Office of Homeless Services in our community that help thousands of people a year leave the streets for shelter beds and homes of their own.

Terry's Story: "I really didn't think I'd make it" 05/13/2025

Terry's Story: "I really didn't think I'd make it" In this episode of the podcast "Out of the Streets of Portland”, we hear the story of Terry and Tiffany, a couple that lost their housing right at the beginning of the pandemic, and was faced with a medical emergency soon after that, when Tiffany contracted bacterial meningitis. She lost her ability to hear, and to walk more than a few steps without assistance. Terry became her full-time caregiver, while the couple lived in their van on the streets of Portland. The podcast also discusses the support and resources provided by the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) and the voter-passed Supportive Housing Services Measure, which has helped the couple find stable housing. It highlights the challenges the couple faced, the resources they utilized, and the support they received from local organizations and the Joint Office of Homeless Services. Terry and Tiffany’s experience highlights the importance of existing resources and community support in transitioning from homelessness. "Pretty much Pat [Peace Lunch - located at Multnomah County Friends Meetinghouse in SE Portland] fed us every day for lunch," Terry said, emphasizing the role of local support in their survival. "That's where we would go. We lost our storage with 90% of our stuff in it. I really didn’t think I’d make it. I thought she [Tiffany]’d be in a nursing home and I’d be on the street." Terry also mentioned the challenges of navigating the system: "You gotta sign up and it's a place for you to go, but you just gotta jump through their hoops. You can't, you know, you gotta follow their rules." Despite these hurdles, the couple managed to find temporary shelter and eventually permanent housing with the help of organizations like TPI and Central City Concern. Finally, Terry expressed gratitude for the programs that made their transition possible: "Once you're in the the couples shelter, that's the next step, and it's like, it's all in one. You stay there and then they're at the hotel and then they find you housing once you're at the hotel, that’s when that process starts." This underscores the structured and supportive nature of these programs in helping individuals and couples find stability. Terry and Tiffany faced multiple challenges, including a medical emergency and the loss of their home, which strained their relationship and physical well-being. "It was so hard. She had bacterial meningitis, COVID, and then she had COVID again after she got out of the hospital," Terry recounted. "I mean, it's scary. It really is." He emphasized the need for ongoing support and resources to help individuals maintain their mental health and relationships: "They set us up for doctor's appointments, all sorts of stuff. It was nice," Terry added. "The resources are out there. You just gotta apply. You gotta jump to their little hoops and you gotta follow through." Despite the challenges, Terry’s persistence and the support of friends and local organizations played a crucial role in their eventual success. "We were there [at the motel shelter] for 3 months and then we got hooked up with Home Forward and now we're here, in our own apartment", Terry said. "It's a godsend, it really is." Key takeaways: - Terry and Tiffany faced homelessness due to a medical emergency, which is extremely common - 70% of people experiencing homelessness in our area have a disability or other health issues. - The couple struggled to find safe parking spots for their van, dealing with issues of security and the challenge of finding safety on the streets. - Local resources, such as food assistance and specific shelters for couples, were crucial in helping Terry and Tiffany navigate their situation. - The Supportive Housing Services Measure, a 10-year program passed by Metro voters in 2020, has been instrumental in providing housing and support to chronically homeless households. - The process of securing housing often involves multiple steps, including temporary shelters and hotel stays, before finding permanent supportive housing. - Support from friends and family, while sometimes limited, can be a critical factor in overcoming homelessness. - The importance of following through with plans and utilizing available resources is key to changing one's life. /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/36553575

Overview of the New Homeless Services Data Dashboard 04/18/2025

Overview of the New Homeless Services Data Dashboard The by the Joint Office of Homeless Services in Multnomah County provides a comprehensive and dynamic view of homelessness, enhancing transparency and accountability. The Joint Office of Homeless Services introduced a new data dashboard that consolidates various reports into a single, user-friendly platform. Lori Kelly, the planning and evaluation manager, explains, "We're looking for a very user friendly site that has a lot of definitions. It has line charts and bar charts depending on what kind of data we're sharing." This dashboard will allow users to filter data by demographics, such as age, gender, and chronic homelessness, providing a detailed and nuanced understanding of the homeless population. The dashboard will also track inflow and outflow, as well as output and outcome metrics for housing, shelter, and prevention services. Kelly noted, "The dashboard will also include output and outcome metrics on housing, shelter, and prevention, and so it will have everything ranging from shelter occupancy and a number of people being served in shelters all also filterable by demographics, as well as how many people were serving in prevention, how many people were serving in different types of housing, how many people are housed effectively, and how many people are waiting for housing inside our programs." Additionally, the dashboard will feature retention rates for those who have been housed, helping to assess the long-term success of housing initiatives. Kelly elaborated, "We track retention afterwards, and we can also figure out that they are no longer stably housed if they show up in asking for housing or in a shelter system." This dynamic tool is designed to support both frontline workers and policymakers in making informed decisions and improving services. The Joint Office of Homeless Services uses a by-name list to more accurately track and serve the homeless population, reflecting a more sophisticated and compassionate approach. The by-name list, a key component of the data dashboard, offers a more accurate and comprehensive view of homelessness compared to the point-in-time count. Lori Kelly explained, "The by-name list is intended to be used for things like case conferencing and prioritizing people for services. And so it's really looking at people who are actively engaging in the system and helping people understand and find people so they can do their work. This method ensures that the data reflects the real-time status of individuals experiencing homelessness, rather than just a snapshot on a specific night. The by-name list also includes a 90-day inactivity policy, which helps maintain the accuracy of the data. Kelly stated, "If nobody has an interaction with a person for over 90 days, and they are not enrolled in a program, we assume they're still homeless, but we put them into something called inactivity." This approach ensures that the list remains current and useful for service providers, while also respecting the privacy and consent of individuals. The by-name list is also designed to avoid stigmatizing individuals. Kelly emphasized, "We do not require people to give their legal name in order to be on this list. We do request or hope that they will give a name that allows them to be regularly found, meaning they can be Marilyn Monroe every time they talk to us." This flexibility helps build trust and encourages more people to engage with the system, leading to better outcomes for those in need. The concept of data excellence is central to the Joint Office's approach to managing and reporting data. Lori Kelly defines data excellence as "moving towards a state of greater data maturity, which means we have a very robust quality assurance plan. We have increasingly larger amounts of programs and spaces in which we collect data, and we have protocols in place to make sure our data is up to date, accurate, and reflects the populations and the services that we're serving." This commitment to data excellence ensures that the information used to inform policy and service delivery is reliable and actionable. The data dashboard reflects this commitment to data excellence by providing a clear and comprehensive view of the homeless population and the services provided. Kelly mentioned, “One other thing you will see is that we continue to increase the amount of people we're housing and sheltering on a regular basis. I love seeing that. You can already see that in our system performance reports, but now you can see it all in one place." This transparency is intended to build public trust and support for the ongoing efforts to address homelessness. Furthermore, the Joint Office is working to ensure that the data is accessible and understandable to the public. Kelly added, "There will be glossaries so people understand what our terms mean. Sometimes they're intuitive, sometimes they're not, and we're having them reviewed by a variety of communications experts to try to make them as easily digestible as possible." This effort to make the data accessible underscores the Joint Office's commitment to transparency and community engagement. /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/36226465

"Having an advocate makes all the difference": Benita's Story 03/24/2025

"Having an advocate makes all the difference": Benita's Story The "Out of the Streets of Portland" podcast, produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, focuses on sharing the stories of individuals who are currently or formerly homeless and the services provided to help them move into housing. This episode features Dustin, a housing specialist from the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA), and Benita, a resident of the Francis and Claire Apartment building, who shares her journey from homelessness to permanent supportive housing. This podcast episode highlights the work of NARA in providing outreach and housing services to people experiencing homelessness, particularly focusing on the story of Benita, who navigated the challenges of homelessness and eventually secured a home with the help of NARA and Dustin. Dustin, a housing specialist with the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA), shared his journey from being a BIPOC CHAT team member to a housing case manager. "My primary job was to assess individuals who came in looking for housing needs and then help them with document readiness and get prepared for housing," he said. His role evolved to include more case management, where he used his personal experiences to connect with clients. "I have experienced a lot of what they are experiencing, you know, all of our individual experiences of course are gonna be different," Dustin explained, highlighting the importance of empathy and personal connection in his work. Benita, a newly-housed resident of the Francis and Claire Apartment building, echoed the significance of having an advocate who could relate to her struggles. "Once I got connected to them, it was, he was just on it for me. He's just been the best advocate I've ever had for helping with situations that are really this severe," she said, referring to Dustin. Benita's journey from homelessness to permanent housing was marked by personal challenges, including a history of domestic violence and mental health issues. "Every time I needed something, he was right there. He would always take my phone calls, so he made it really easy for me to be homeless, you might say, and be in that situation," she added, emphasizing the impact of having a supportive and understanding advocate. Dustin, a housing specialist with NARA, pointed out that the assumption that homelessness is primarily driven by addiction is often misguided. "Probably 60% of the people that come to our offices looking for help are not experiencing drug addiction, and they’re experiencing abuse of some other sort. They’re experiencing financial hardship," he said. Benita's story is a poignant example of this complexity. "I ended up going into the hospital with a mental breakdown from all of the stress from [the racism and harassment she experienced at her apartment complex], and then after getting out of the hospital, that's what got me into getting hooked up with NARA," she explained, detailing the series of events that led to her homelessness, including racial profiling and domestic violence. Culturally responsive services can significantly enhance the effectiveness of support for marginalized communities. The Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA) was founded to provide a safe and culturally relevant space for Native Americans seeking help with substance abuse and other issues. "It started as a treatment center, when Buzz Nelson and some of his close friends decided that there needed to be a place for Native Americans to go to be able to heal from the disease of alcoholism, because at the time, Alcoholics Anonymous in Portland was pretty racist and they weren't really too happy to see Natives coming into their white spaces trying to heal and recover," Dustin explained. NARA's approach to holistic care, which includes medical, dental, and mental health services, is rooted in Native American spirituality and values. "We really try to just treat the whole individual, as far as coming across people who are experiencing addiction and homelessness, I can honestly say that I was surprised myself about how many people come through the doors looking for services for while they're homeless, who are not affected by substance use disorder," he added. Benita, who has Chickasaw Indian heritage, found this culturally responsive approach to be a significant factor in her recovery. "I think a lot of agencies are just so overwhelming. If you get in and get to a good advocate, you're lucky," she said, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive and personalized support in helping individuals like her navigate their way out of homelessness. Some of the insights surfaced through this interview: · Homelessness is a multifaceted issue, with only 40% of individuals seeking services at NARA experiencing active addiction. · Many individuals facing homelessness are dealing with severe health issues, domestic violence, financial hardship, and discrimination. · There is a significant gap between the perception of homelessness (often linked to drug addiction) and the reality (many individuals are not drug users and face other complex issues). · The process of getting into housing can be long and challenging, with construction delays and other factors causing delays. · Empathy and support from advocates and service providers are crucial in helping individuals navigate the complex system of services. · The Francis and Claire Apartment building, run by Catholic Charities of Oregon, provides 61 units of affordable, permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness. · NARA offers a range of services, including housing, medical care, mental health support, and addiction recovery, with a focus on Native American spirituality and values. /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/35845805

"Giving others a chance like I was given: Elijah's Story" 02/18/2025

It Took A Village to Bring Me Back to Myself: Michael's Story 12/05/2024

Season 3 Episode 1: Understanding Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA) 10/10/2024

Season 3 Episode 1: Understanding Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA) On this episode of Out of the Streets of Portland, we bring you a panel discussion about the Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance, known by its acronym RLRA. The program is funded entirely by the Supportive Housing Services measure, which was passed by Portland Metro voters in 2020 and implemented beginning in 2021. RLRA has been a key factor in helping people maintain stable housing, providing rent assistance to the most vulnerable households. In 2024, the number of households using RLRA vouchers increased by 53%, showing the program's success in facilitating new placements, and helping more households secure long-term housing. Since the inception of RLRA on July 1, 2021, the program has helped nearly 1,000 households and over 1,400 individuals secure stable housing in Multnomah County alone. Over the past three years, the program has steadily increased, providing support for more households to move out of homelessness and into stable, supportive housing. We bring you an excerpt from a session about RLRA held at the Spectrum Conference organized by Multifamily Northwest in September 2024, featuring Chelsea Blair from Washington County, Erin Goldwater from Multnomah County, and Jake Kirsch from the Housing Development Center, among others. Thank you for joining us for this episode of Out of the Streets of Portland. This podcast is produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, a Multnomah County department with funding from the County, the City of Portland, Metro, and the state and federal governments to house, shelter, and provide, street outreach, navigation, employment assistance, assistance obtaining social security income, and case management to people experiencing homelessness in our community. Please subscribe to our podcast to get notified every time a new episode is posted. You can find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching for ‘Out of the Streets of Portland’. And you can find this podcast, along with a ton of information, data and reports, at our website johs.us /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/33412217

"It’s like my life is brand new" - A success story from the FUSE Program 09/20/2024

Straightway Services: 20 Years of Serving Portland's Homeless Community 07/12/2024

A Panel Discussion on Village-Style Shelters 06/17/2024

Part Two: Escaping Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault: Stories of Resilience and Hope 05/20/2024

Part Two: Escaping Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault: Stories of Resilience and Hope Welcome to Out of the Streets of Portland, a podcast focused on sharing the stories of people who are currently or formerly homeless in our community, and helping navigate the systems and services that the Joint Office of Homeless Services and its partners either have in place, or are developing, to help people move out of homelessness and back into stable, supportive housing. On this episode of Out of the Streets of Portland, we bring you part two of a two part episode featuring the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault system of care funded and supported by the Joint Office of Homeless Services in Multnomah County. This system serves Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as their children or other dependents. On this episode, we speak with three staff members at Raphael House - Shaykeishya, Ashley and Rachel, who help survivors navigate the system to get the help and support they need. Here are some phone numbers people who think they may be in a domestic violence situation can call to get some help. The first number is Call to Safety - 503.235.5333 - a 24-hour staffed crisis line for people in the Portland metro area. En espanol - tenemos un Línea de Crisis 503-232-4448. Es un Línea 24 horas para las sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica y/o asalto sexual. Survivors can also call the Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services during regular business hours at 503-988-6400 to go through an assessment, which can then determine eligibility for Raphael House or other Joint Office funded programs in the Portland area. Shaykeishya, Ashley and Rachel have all been through the process of recovery from domestic violence and addiction themselves, and are now working at Raphael House in a program called Domestic Violence Recovery Mentors helping other people flee domestic violence situations. The program is open to people of all genders who are fleeing an abusive relationship and experiencing an addiction - substance use disorder or another type of addiction. The program they run is called Domestic Violence Recovery Mentors. To find out more about this program, contact Shaykeishya at 503-593-3874 or . One of the key values of the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault is self-determination for survivors. The work is grounded in a “survivor-centered” or “survivor led” service model; recognizing that survivors know best how to meet their own needs. This focus serves to prevent replication of power & control that might resemble that used by an abuser and is one of the most important values of the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Continuum as a whole. You can find more information, including how to get assistance with a restraining order, at the Multnomah County website - . A full list of shelters funded by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, including congregate, motel and alternative, village-style shelters can be found at johs dot us slash shelter. Thank you for joining us for this episode of Out of the Streets of Portland.This podcast is produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, a Multnomah County department with funding from the County, the City of Portland, Metro, and the state and federal governments to house, shelter, and provide street outreach, navigation, employment assistance, assistance obtaining social security income, and case management to people experiencing homelessness in our community. Please subscribe to our podcast to get notified every time a new episode is posted. You can find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching for ‘Out of the Streets of Portland’. And you can find this podcast, along with a ton of information, data and reports, at our website johs dot us. Thanks again for listening to Out of the Streets of Portland. /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/31386452

Escaping Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault: Stories of Resilience and Hope (Part One of Two) 04/17/2024

Escaping Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault: Stories of Resilience and Hope (Part One of Two) Welcome to Out of the Streets of Portland, a podcast focused on sharing the stories of people who are currently or formerly homeless in our community, and helping navigate the systems and services that the Joint Office of Homeless Services and its partners either have in place, or are developing, to help people move out of homelessness and back into stable, supportive housing. On this episode of Out of the Streets of Portland, we bring you part one of a two part episode featuring the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault system of care funded and supported by the Joint Office of Homeless Services in Multnomah County. This system serves Survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as their children or other dependents. To give an advance warning to our listeners, this episode will contain references to and descriptions of intimate partner violence. On this episode, we share the story of a woman who we’ll call Jane Doe, a survivor of domestic violence who received support from Joint Office funded providers in Multnomah County. In the next episode of this podcast, we’ll keep the focus on the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault support system, and will speak with some of the providers and staff who help survivors navigate the system to get the help and support they need. Here are some phone numbers for people who think they may be in a domestic violence situation can call to get some help: Call to Safety - 503.235.5333 - a 24-hour staffed crisis line for people in the Portland metro area. En espanol - tenemos un Línea de Crisis 503-232-4448. Es un Línea 24 horas cada dia para las sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica y/o asalto sexual. Survivors can also call the Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services during regular business hours at 503-988-6400 for one-on-one support with experienced advocates who will help you develop a personal plan and connect you with other services. One of the key values of the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault is self-determination for survivors. The work is grounded in a “survivor-centered” or “survivor led” service model; recognizing that survivors know best how to meet their own needs. This focus serves to prevent replication of power & control that might resemble that used by an abuser and is one of the most important values of the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Continuum as a whole. You can find more information, including how to get assistance with a restraining order, at the Multnomah County website - multco.us/dv. This podcast is produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, a Multnomah County department with funding from the County, the City of Portland, Metro, and the state and federal governments to house, shelter, and provide street outreach, navigation, employment assistance, assistance obtaining social security income, and case management to people experiencing homelessness in our community. Please subscribe to our podcast to get notified every time a new episode is posted. You can find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching for ‘Out of the Streets of Portland’. And you can find this podcast, along with a ton of information, data and reports, at our website johs.us. /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/30857933

Kenton Women's Village: A Model of Community Support 03/11/2024

Kenton Women's Village: A Model of Community Support Welcome to Out of the Streets of Portland, a podcast focused on sharing the stories of people who are currently or formerly homeless in our community, and helping navigate the systems and services that the Joint Office of Homeless Services and its partners either have in place, or are developing, to help people move out of homelessness and back into stable, supportive housing. On this episode of Out of the Streets of Portland, in honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we are featuring the story and work of Kenton Women’s Village. This village was opened in the Kenton neighborhood in June of 2017 - the second village-style shelter to open in Portland. Dignity Village, the first in the country and the model for many other village-style shelters, opened in the year 2000 and is still in operation. The Kenton Women’s Village is a 20-pod village which came about as the result of a concerted advocacy effort that included designers, houseless advocates, and service providers. The village was the outcome of an effort in 2016 and 2017 called the Partners On Dwelling Village Coalition. Members of Portland State University’s Center for Public Interest Design were asked for pod designs for use at Hazelnut Grove and other newly forming villages. Rather than concentrate on the design of pods, the Center suggested a process that would result not only in a series of new pod prototypes, but also open up dialogue with the public about local government’s role in supporting village efforts. Local architect Mark Lakeman, who is also the founder of Portland’s annual Village Building Convergence, provided guidance on the design of the pods by Portland State University students. Fourteen design teams created the different styles of sleeping pods in two months, for two thousand dollars each. In 2019, the village was relocated to its current location on Columbia Boulevard. Kenton Women’s Village is open to currently houseless self-identified women, including trans women, and offers opportunities for community, leadership, self-governance, and self-determination. In this podcast, we speak with Valerie Yvette Peterson, a case manager at the village. We also hear from a participant at the Kenton Women’s Village on what led to her losing her housing, and how Kenton Women’s Village is helping her get back on her feet. More information about the Kenton Women’s Village can be found And a full list of shelters funded by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, including congregate, motel and alternative, village-style shelters can be found . This podcast is produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, a Multnomah County department with funding from the County, the City of Portland, Metro, and the state and federal governments to house, shelter, and provide, street outreach, navigation, employment assistance, assistance obtaining social security income, and case management to people experiencing homelessness in our community. Please subscribe to our podcast to get notified every time a new episode is posted. You can find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching for ‘Out of the Streets of Portland’. /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/30331888

Supportive Housing Services: How It Works 02/28/2024

Supportive Housing Services: How It Works Welcome to Out of the Streets of Portland, a podcast focused on sharing the stories of people who are currently or formerly homeless in our community, and helping navigate the systems and services that the Joint Office of Homeless Services and its partners either have in place, or are developing, to help people move out of homelessness and back into stable, supportive housing. Today we explore the impact of the Supportive Housing Services measure, passed by Metro area voters in 2020. The Ten-year regionwide program goals include connecting 5,000 chronically homeless households with supportive housing, building new outreach teams, stabilizing 10,000 households experiencing or at risk of homelessness in permanent housing and expanding the network of culturally specific service providers. In 2023, Multnomah County met most of the annual goals set by Metro for implementation of the supportive housing services measure, and 99% of people housed in 2022 remained in housing a year later. We speak with Cristal Otero of the Supportive Housing Services team at the Joint Office of Homeless Services to find out more. We also hear from Jessica, who recently got into housing thanks to funding from the Supportive Housing Services measure. She was supported by provider Do Good Multnomah and volunteers with PDX Saints Love, an organization that provided her help and support on the street, and where she now works doing outreach and peer support. More information about the Supportive Housing Services measure, including the 2023 annual report, can be found at . This podcast is produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, a Multnomah County department with funding from the County, the City of Portland, Metro, and the state and federal governments to house, shelter, and provide, street outreach, navigation, employment assistance, assistance obtaining social security income, and case management to people experiencing homelessness in our community. Please subscribe to our podcast to get notified every time a new episode is posted. You can find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts by searching for ‘Out of the Streets of Portland’. And you can find this podcast, along with a ton of information, data and reports, at our website . Thanks again for listening to Out of the Streets of Portland. /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/30156023

Stories from the Streets 12/08/2023

It Takes a Village 10/09/2023

The Power of Peer Support 07/14/2023

Special Episode: An Interview with JOHS Director Dan Field 05/25/2023

Using Data to End Homelessness 05/10/2023

Housing First, Not Housing Only 04/11/2023

The Shelter System 02/10/2023

The Shelter System Today on Out of the Streets of Portland, we’re going to hear about how our expanding and innovative shelter system works, how people can access shelter, and what it means to expand shelter alongside a Housing First, but not Housing Only practice that centers the people’s needs in the re-housing process. We’ll speak with Gwyn, who along with her partner, Dan, made it off the streets and into permanent housing after staying for eight months at shelters run by Do Good Multnomah. Since it launched in 2016, the Joint Office of Homeless Services has embarked on an historic expansion of shelter beds in Multnomah County. In 2020, when the COVID-19 global pandemic began, these efforts accelerated. At full capacity, the number of shelter beds supported through the Joint Office increased from 800 in 2016 to almost 2000 as of January 2023. And hundreds more beds are on the way. We have shelters for adults, people in families, unaccompanied youths, and domestic violence survivors. Shelters are reservation-based, open 24/7, and welcome partners, pets and personal belongings. They offer meals, and some have full kitchens. They also offer laundry access, showers, and case management and housing navigation services. You can find more information about our shelter system, including a map of locations, at https://multco.us/johs. Over the past two years, seventeen new shelters have opened with support from the Joint Office - including alternative village-style shelters, motel shelters and traditional congregate shelters. . So why have a both-and “housing first” approach that provides shelters while also ensuring people have options so they can move on from shelter — or never have to come to one in the first place? Research conducted by Portland State’s Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative found housing first participants experience higher levels of housing retention and use fewer emergency and justice system resources than people in shelter-only communities.This produces cost savings for hospital emergency departments, a decrease in inpatient hospitalizations, and reduced dependence on the criminal justice system. Cara Kangas works at 2-1-1 Info, which is a free phone number that anyone can call anytime of the day or night to find out about services and get help and support. There is a group of people who have long histories of cycling through the mental health, corrections, and homeless services systems. By aligning those systems to identify and better serve those people – we will save the community money and improve outcomes for those served. Housing specialists work one-on-one with shelter residents to identify and remove barriers (getting new IDs, clearing old debts, etc.). We also work with landlords to request some flexibility and create positive rental relationships, including ongoing mediation or mitigation funding that supports a long-term housing situation. Housing specialists continue working with newly housed families to ensure long-term stability, including rent assistance, workforce assistance and access to needed social services. /episode/index/show/0aa2908e-939a-4058-9138-a05a4125eb9c/id/25883844

Coordinated Access: Moving from Unhoused to Housed 12/09/2022

Out of the Streets of Portland

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