Vulnerable People and Places Blog

  The simple and invigorating dignity of being able to take a nice, hot shower is something many take for granted, not realizing having access to clean running water for a shower can be both a boon and a godsend. For Portland’s unhoused community, access to a hot shower can mean the difference between being able to interview with a potential employer or not, which further separates our unhoused neighbors from the ability to obtain stability and security with a consistent income. Research shows that limited hygiene access is one of the biggest barriers to both employment as well as housing opportunities. It also reduces a person’s confidence and dignity, as others in the community can look down upon someone who appears dirty or might smell unwashed, which creates a bigger uphill climb against potential bias. In Multnomah County, many of the shelters and day centers are often at capacity and place those seeking better hygiene and shelter on a long waitlist. Studies have also been con...

How to be a Good Neighbor (and Stay Alive) while Camping in the Urban-Wild Interface: Author: Anna M. Rodriguez   December 10th, 2025        The unfortunate truth is that people lose access to housing every day. Here in the United States, “more than half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and one crisis away from homelessness,” according to this report by United States Interagency Council on Homelessness . With the many factors that contribute to the [lack of] housing crisis, long-term systemic changes to the housing industry must occur. However, for the 771,480 people who experienced houselessness in the United States on a given night in 2024 , according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development , long-term solutions do not help them to cope with their immediate situation.       It is estimated by the Homeless Mortality Data Workgroup that up to 46,000 houseless people die in the United States every year. The conditions of livi...

  The Problem Many young people today in the United States face housing insecurity which quite often leads to homelessness. For some of them, a missed payment, medical bill, or a sudden conflict within the family can trigger this spiral downward. Traditionally, safety net services are the solution but are often inadequate. Also, due to bureaucratic processes, by the time the help arrives, it is too late. Conventional interventions tend to happen usually after homelessness has already taken place, making recovery much harder. Many youths are reaching the age where foster care isn’t an option. So where do go if they cant maintain there current living conditions? The next stop is family but unfortunately in most foster situations the original family wasn’t an option to begin with, and the problem doesn’t stop there. Often times, untreated mental health challenges keep them from completing school, or maintaining a job. This creates a rough start to adulthood. As a result thousands of y...

  When someone's needs are met, they gain stability that can lead to greater possibilities. Mutual aid can help meet urgent needs, but these small initiatives cannot carry the full weight of community needs on their own. So what would it look like if our support systems were built around care?   Most of our current systems are quick to push bureaucratic rules and regulations that often frame houseless people as problems to be managed—tasks such as creating goal plans and offering help based on compliance with wordy service agreements. Many existing programs rely on monitoring individuals before meeting their needs. This creates a feeling of shame and distance for the individual seeking services. It is challenging to have to constantly talk about your shortcomings to access help. People should be treated with respect and be able to preserve their dignity by not divulging every personal detail of their circumstances. The system needs to evolve beyond requiring people to prove th...

  What Would You Do With an Extra $50 a Month? (image of man handing over a $50 bill) Written by  Susie Martinez

 

  Beyond The Pages: How Portland’s Public Libraries Support Houseless and Low-Income Community Members Public libraries have always been one of cities greatest assets. They are quiet, welcoming spaces where anyone can walk through the doors without needing to buy anything. For many low-income or houseless Portlanders, libraries aren’t just community resources. They’re lifelines. At a time when the cost of living continues to climb and safe, reliable public spaces seem to shrink, public libraries serve as some of the last truly accessible, nonjudgmental places in the city. Their impact goes far beyond books on shelves. For people experiencing houselessness, simply finding a warm, dry place to rest can be a daily challenge. Portland’s public libraries provide something rare: a safe indoor environment that doesn’t require a purchase, or a reason to be there. The libraries offer comfortable seating, restrooms, a sense of calm, and a place to exist without policing. For many, this stabi...