Vulnerable People and Places Blog

  Breaking Down Stereotypes: Seeing Beyond Homelessness Homelessness is often surrounded by stereotypes that can paint a misleading and unfair picture of those experiencing it. Common misconceptions might suggest that people who are homeless are lazy, addicted, or simply don’t want to work. These stereotypes are not only harmful but also fail to recognize the complex realities faced by individuals without stable housing. By challenging these assumptions, we can build a more compassionate and accurate understanding of homelessness. One major stereotype is that all homeless people are struggling with substance abuse. While some may indeed face addiction issues, many do not. Homelessness can result from a myriad of factors, including job loss, medical bills, or family breakdowns. It’s crucial to remember that addiction or mental health challenges are often symptoms of a broader struggle, not the sole reason for homelessness. Another misconception is that people who are homeless are simply

  Understanding Homelessness:  Embracing Empathy and Humanity Imagine for a moment that your daily life suddenly changes overnight. The stability you once took for granted—your home, your job, your safety—is gone. This is the reality for many people experiencing homelessness. They are not defined by their lack of a home but by the same hopes, dreams, and struggles that we all share. It’s important to remember that behind every story of homelessness is a person with a past, a present, and a future. Homelessness can happen to anyone. Economic hardships, medical emergencies, or even the loss of a loved one can push people to the brink. It’s easy to see someone on the street and assume they are “different” from us, but the truth is that their circumstances could befall any of us. When we approach the issue with empathy, we start to see that the person standing on the corner is not just a statistic but someone who has faced extraordinary challenges. Empathy invites us to look beyond stereot

     Vikkilyn Rolfs is the director of childcare services at Open House Ministries for nineteen  Years. Open House Ministries is a local family shelter founded by Bob and Joanne Kendall. Rolfs, first got connected to Open House through the former director whom she previously worked with at a different daycare center. Before Open House Ministries, Vikkilyn, worked at a homeless shelter for ten years in Washington DC, which was a men’s shelter. Rolfs has seen and experienced different kinds of living situations among the homeless in the Portland Metro Area.       “In your opinion what do you think of the homeless crises today in Portland Oregon including Vancouver Washington?” Vikkilyn states, “it’s gotten very much out of hand, it’s gotten tragic! I think that there is a whole mix of people under different circumstance. There’s definitely a lot of drugs, a lot of mental health, which could be mental health or could be drug induce mental health.”  Rolfs continues her thoughts on the cost

  Portland officials have once again rolled out an ambitious plan to tackle the city's escalating homeless crisis, promising to halve the unsheltered population by 2026. Yet, as the echoes of past unfulfilled commitments linger, one must ask: Is this just another round of empty promises? With homelessness nearly tripling since a similar pledge in 2015, Portlanders are left wondering if this latest strategy will truly bring change—or simply add to the city's legacy of inaction and disappointment.  Despite the lofty promises from Portland’s officials, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Homelessness has continued to surge, and the measures implemented so far have barely scratched the surface. Resources are spread thin, shelters are overwhelmed, and many unhoused residents remain without basic support. City representatives have repeatedly pledged to make homelessness a priority, yet their actions often fall short, leaving vulnerable populations to suffer while the c

  City representatives frequently dismiss the idea that the housing market is at the heart of the rising homelessness crisis, instead attributing it to factors like mental health issues, addiction, and unemployment. But this narrative raises important questions: can these challenges alone explain the surge in homelessness, or is there a deeper, systemic issue at play? A closer examination suggests that the escalating cost of housing and the shrinking availability of affordable homes are far more than just a backdrop to this crisis—they're central drivers. As rents soar and the dream of homeownership slips out of reach, it becomes increasingly clear that the housing market is not just a factor, but a significant force fueling the homelessness. Research studies using data from 2019 until current assessing the root of the crisis points in the direction of rising housing prices. The average monthly rent in the Portland Metropolitan area exceeds the national average of a staggering $170

In a recent article , I talked about the value of temporary shelters in providing both relief for individuals, and as a path towards more permanent home living. It was in response to the Homelessness Response Action Plan explaining how solving homelessness is not as simple as “build more permanent housing” as some responders to the plan have suggested. In this article, I will go deeper in examining “why” homelessness remains a key issue in Portland, and what steps we, as concerned individuals, can take to support our community. To address the obvious in the room, yes, Oregon has a homelessness issue. Oregon has reported the highest rate of unsheltered family homelessness in the nation frequently since 2007. There is a stereotype that homeless people are drug addicts, however in Oregon, the issue is more rooted in economic instability. For one, unemployment has been an ongoing issue since the pandemic in 2020. While we have recovered from the staggering 13.30% peak unemployment in Apr

  The Portland City Council approved new rules that allow fines up to $100 or seven days in jail for homeless individuals who camp on public property. The same penalties apply for homeless individuals who block sidewalks use gas heaters, start fire, or have their belongings more that 2 feet outside of their tents This new ordinance is due to take effect immediately. Mayor Ted Wheeler believes that this is a significant step in managing public spaces and addressing the homeless situation in Portland. The homeless individuals who accept shelter will not be cited and the courts may waive their fines if they were cited and have taken shelter. For more information of the new laws in Portland click here