A Possible Solution to Helping Homeless People Transition into Permanent Housing

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    It is no secret that the city of Portland has a current homelessness problem. There are at least 4,000 people living without homes in the city and it is quickly becoming one of the biggest concerns for the public. Countless efforts have been put forward to try and alleviate the number of people living on the streets, but none have seemed to have a considerable impact on the issue. One relatively new plan has some promising potential involving homeless villages. 


    These homeless villages are not a cluster of tents with garbage strewn around like you may think of when it comes to homeless camps. The villages consist of tiny homes funded by $16 million in federal American Rescue plan funds. These tiny homes have sleeping pods with locking doors, windows, electricity, and heating. The community shares kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry facilities. These facilities are a clean way to help unhoused people find a safe and comfortable place to stay, while simultaneously cleaning up the streets of Portland. 

    Many people support this plan, but when it comes to where these villages will be set up people tend to look the other way. Often times people associate drug use and violence with homelessness. This is not something that is wanted in your own neighborhood or somewhere you want your loved ones to reside. Luckily, to gain access to the tiny home villages, you must be referred by a public service officer, counselor, behavioral specialist, etc. These are people who work closely with unhoused people and will only refer people who truly want to make the most out of the tiny home opportunity. According to OregonLive, these tiny home villages will be managed by the joint city-Multnomah County office of homeless services. Staffing will be available 24/7 near the entrances and health care workers and behavioral health support workers will visit the villages regularly. People should not be nervous about these villages going up near their neighborhoods and these shelters and services may be just what is needed to help some of these unhoused people transition into permanent housing. 

Learn more at:

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2021/10/portland-announces-locations-for-new-homeless-villages.html#

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