Vulnerable People and Places Blog

It goes without saying that COVID-19 has been difficult for everyone. Like with any major issue, some groups were more disproportionately susceptible when compared to others. Unfortunately, one of the groups who are at the most risk is the elderly. They are already weakened due to the natural process of aging. However, many of the elderly people who live in nursing homes are further weakened by the underlying health conditions that put them in the nursing home in the first place. I recently went through this experience firsthand with my grandma. She had been rapidly losing weight and becoming very weak due to being on a variety of medications that suppressed her appetite. After she had a bad fall that required an Emergency Room visit and 9 staples in her head, my family was able to convince her to go into a nursing home for rehab until she was strong enough to go back to her home.   When she was admitted in June 2019, she only weighed 77 pounds.    Over the next few month...

  There are already more than 57 million dementia sufferers in the world, and by 2050, that figure is predicted to rise to 153 million. It is estimated that risk factors like exposure to air pollution account for up to 40% of these instances. Even when annual exposure was lower than the current EPA annual threshold of 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air (g/m3), the researchers discovered continuous evidence of a relationship between PM2.5 and dementia. The researchers discovered a 17% increase in risk for dementia for every 2 g/m3 increase in average yearly exposure to PM2.5, specifically among the studies using active case ascertainment. Despite the fact that the data was more sparse, they also discovered evidence supporting links between dementia and nitrogen oxide (5% increase in risk for every 10 g/m3 increase in yearly exposure) and nitrogen dioxide (2% increase in risk for every 10 g/m3 increase in annual exposure). According to a recent University of Michigan study, wildfi...

                                          On July 7, 2023, the city of Portland set a daytime camping ban in a last attempt to combat the growing homelessness crisis in Portland, Oregon. However many have come to raise questions about what this means for the unhoused community. What Does The Ban Mean? The ban prohibits outdoor camping on city property from the hours of 8am to 8pm including parks, schools, construction zones, riverbanks, and docks. During these hours all personal belongings including tents must be removed. Apart from this the ban also prohibits littering, building temporary shelters, blocking a sidewalk with a tent at any point in the day, digging, and disassembling and selling bikes and cars. Additionally, the ban comes with punishment if anyone is caught breaking these rules. The first violation will be cited as a warning by police officials. Then on the third viola...

  Healthcare in homelessness has been ongoing issue for many years. This is because it is such a discrepancy. People who are homeless have way higher rates of illness and on average they die about 12 years sooner than the general population. If you think about it just the fact alone of not having a home is a giant health hazard. There are so many people who are wanting to help people in need but there is no funding for that so we tend to rely on non-profits and volunteers. The healthcare industry is run by the worlds wealthiest companies who are all trying to make money so why should they help people who can't pay for anything? That is their though process which is a cruel but true thing to think about. Although these big corporations do not help their community there are many other things that many people might not be aware of.  Mobile Clinics:   Mobile clinics are a huge way that homeless people and people in need can have access to cheap or even free healthcare. They a...

Federal Work Requirements (ABAWD Time Limits) for SNAP benefit recipients are back; what does this mean for Oregon’s vulnerable populations?   The federal food stamp program, officially known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), serves millions of low-income households nationwide. These low-income recipients are mostly families with children, the elderly & the disabled, and homeless individuals. For Oregon, this translates into approximately 680k Oregonians who rely on SNAP on monthly basis to feed their families. However, as of July 1 st , 2023, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is bringing back a federal program, ABAWD, that puts time limits on how long people can receive SNAP in a 3-year period. The fear is that this will exacerbate the situation for an already less-food secure vulnerable Oregonians who are dealing with inflation and high cost of living like food, rent, and other basic needs. ABAWD stands for Able-Bodied Adults Without Depend...

Embracing the Promise of Affordable Housing: Your Pathway to Lasting Change In a world where the cost of living continues to soar, and the dream of homeownership feels like an ever-elusive beacon on the horizon, it's time to cast aside doubt and uncertainty. You hold the key to a brighter, more secure future through the transformative power of affordable housing. The Ripple Effect of Possibility Picture this: waking up in the morning to the gentle sunlight streaming through your own windows, stepping onto the floors of your own home, and breathing in the sense of accomplishment and stability that comes with it. This is not just a mere dwelling; it's a testament to your resilience, a haven for your family, and a launching pad for your dreams. A Glimpse into the Future Affordable housing is more than just a concept; it's a profound opportunity to reshape the trajectory of your life. The stories of those who have broken free from the clutches of endless renting and achieved ho...

     It’s no secret that the United States has a mountain of work to do in regards to the ever expanding and increasing issue of homelessness. Our city, Portland, Oregon, is fully aware of this problem in a way that other cities are not. Unfortunately for the homeless population, the city of Portland has not alway treated them in a very human way. Rather, it seems that many of the policies and actions of our city treat the homeless with contempt and do not want them to find a moment of peace. Sometimes it feels as though the city thinks that by making the homeless as uncomfortable as possible, they will eventually just go somewhere else, an ideal that is not only nonsensical but also immoral. While some cities tend to implement compassionate policies to address their issues of homelessness, Portland has resorted to something called defensive or “hostile” architecture in order to combat the homeless.      Defensive architecture, or more aptly named hostile a...

In a world brimming with challenges, one issue stands out starkly in our local community / homelessness in Portland. As I sit down to write this, I am reminded of the urgency of this matter and the need for collective action to make a difference. Amid the intricate tapestry of urban life, the plight of the homeless is a persistent thread that requires our unwavering attention. The pandemic has only exacerbated an already complex problem, and as responsible members of this society, it's our duty to step up. Homelessness is not a solitary struggle but a shared concern. Volunteering is a tangible way to bridge the gap and offer a helping hand. It's about forming connections, hearing stories, and understanding the journey of those who find themselves without a home. From providing nourishing meals to distributing essential hygiene kits, or even just lending an empathetic ear, every act of kindness counts. But the impact of volunteering extends beyond immediate relief. It's abou...

The homeless crisis in Oregon has brought to light a concerning issue within the realm of homeless service providers. A recent study conducted by the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) has revealed that a significant portion of these providers are struggling to make ends meet. With burnout and job turnover on the rise, the study sheds light on the challenges faced by those on the frontlines of addressing homelessness.  The study, supported by Homebase, a nonprofit focused on addressing homelessness, and North Third, a research firm, surveyed 20 homeless service contractors collaborating with the JOHS. The results indicate that 31% of homeless service providers find it difficult to cover basic needs with their current salaries. This financial strain is further exacerbated by the fact that 50% of those surveyed are considering seeking new employment within the next year.  Compensation appears to be a key issue, particularly for entry-level staff. The median annual salary a...

According to federal data, Oregon has the worst drug addiction rate in the United States. In November 2020, a new measure was passed by Oregon voters that was called the Oregon Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act or Measure 110. This was meant to recategorize and reclassify implemented penalties and possessions of certain drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and others. The major change this measure brought about was any possession of a small amount drugs would no longer be a crime, but rather a misdemeanor or minor violation.  A main component to this was that part of the penalty was having to get a health assessment through an addiction recovery center within 45 days of receiving the violation.The goal was that it would decrease the number of people addicted to drugs, because if they are caught instead of being thrown in jail, they are now given a full health assessment and an opportunity to start an addiction recovery program. However, this system proved to ...