PERMANENT SOLUTIONS ARE POSSIBLE FOR PORTLAND’S INCREASING HOMELESS CRISIS

Permanent solutions are possible for Portland’s increasing homeless crisis.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic The Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program (HUCIRP) reported between 40 to 60 campsite removals per week in the city. After the onset of the pandemic in 2020 these sweeps performed by HUCIRP have been much less frequent, at a number closer to three times a week. Halting these sweeps has highlighted Portland’s homeless crisis.

The increase in visibility of the city’s unsheltered community has become immensely apparent, and the garbage surrounding these areas is overwhelming. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon reported that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual survey concluded “One out of every ten unhoused people is a military veteran. One-in-seven has been identified by HUD as having a serious mental illness.

A fifth of unhoused Oregonians reported being a victim of domestic violence. And nearly a third are families.” Homelessness is a complex issue that requires varied responses on how to incorporate long-term solutions. These can be reasons why a person chooses the streets over shelter, each experience individual to that person. Some feel safer with their community on the streets; some are unable to stop drug use. Some are experiencing low income and high rent; a lack of mental health resources; or credit issues or past debt issues and/or criminal history. All of these make finding permanent housing in a traditional sense a challenge.

A program called Housing First by Join PDX, a nonprofit organization, prioritizes permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness. In their mission statement, the group suggests that housing is a foundation for life improvement. Data has shown that those who receive permanent housing have a decrease in substance use, suffer fewer instances of domestic abuse and are more likely to continue living in stable housing. Housing First provides support services to the tenants they house.

In addition to being a solution for the rehomed individuals, permanent housing is known to cut taxpayer costs for public services such as jails, hospitals and emergency shelters. The findings from a similar nonprofit providing permanent housing to those seeking refuge documented an overall reduction in emergency service costs totaling over $31,000 saved per housed person.

Providing permanent housing can be the compassionate and affordable solution to our growing homelessness issue in Portland and across the U.S. The city seems to be finger pointing at whose responsibility is whose, in terms of the trash accumulating around Portland. If you’re looking to become active in a change you want to see, volunteer-based organizations are planning mass cleanups. Solve Oregon organizes volunteers to help clean up the city while being mindful of what is personal belongings and what isn’t, when clearing out trash and litter. While the issues of Portland’s homelessness and trash problem are tangled in public opinion and the approval of state officials, various forms mutual aid will continue to benefit our varied communities.