Where Are the Free Public Showers in Portland, OR?

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Proper hygiene is a basic human need, a necessity for survival, and without it, a person is at risk of developing various infections and communicable diseases, potentially exposing other people to such illnesses as well. For those who are unsheltered, finding clean, safe facilities that offer showers and restrooms is a daily struggle.

Lack of Hygiene is an Obstacle

A survey of 550 unhoused individuals in Portland, conducted between 2014 and 2016, revealed that 40% of respondents have dealt with medical problems due to a lack of hygiene services, whereas 20% have been turned away from shelters and 22% of respondents have been denied meals, food, or services because of their level of personal hygiene (Hawash et al., 2016, as cited in Greene et al., 2022). The consequences of not having reliable shower and restroom access go beyond the medical—hygiene affects appearance which can, unfortunately, affect the way one gets treated in a service setting. A single, free shower, therefore, could make a world of difference to one who is struggling with houselessness. 

What is the Solution?

Although there is no quick fix to the unhoused individuals’ lack of convenient hygiene access in Portland, OR, all of us can promote and support the existing interim hygiene services which are offered by nonprofits and other local organizations until more permanent solutions are identified and implemented.

Helpful Resources

Visit Kegley’s (2022) list of FREE public showers to receive a quick breakdown of shower locations, times, and requirements or click the hyperlinks below to explore each organization's offerings separately—many showers are paired with toilet access:

Other options:

Take Action!

If you are not in need yourself, you can still help by (1) sharing this article on social media to spread awareness of these free resources, (2) donating money or supplies to one of the organizations listed above, or (3) visiting blanchethouse.org/care-kits to learn more about packing care kits for unhoused individuals. If you were the one struggling, how would you like your fellow community members to respond? 


Written by Saara Vihavainen. Saara is based in Portland, Oregon. She is part of the CD Team for the PSU Multimedia Capstone.
References

Greene, J., Ferry, T., Hawash, L., Zapata, M. A., & Puczkowskyj, N. (2022). Hygiene, Storage, and Waste Management for the Unsheltered Community: Gaps & Opportunities Analysis. Portland State University. https://www.pdx.edu/homelessness/sites/g/files/znldhr1791/files/2022-07/Hygiene%20Waste%20and%20Storage%20Analysis%20Report%20%281%29.pdf 

Kegley. C. (2022, July 14). A List of Free Public Showers in Portland. Blanchet House. https://blanchethouse.org/free-public-showers-in-portland-oregon/ 
Location: Portland, OR, USA

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