Housing Insecurity Among People with Developmental Disabilities in Oregon

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Housing insecurity affects an estimated 24,000 people with developmental disabilities in Oregon and southwest Washington, underscoring the critical need for focused interventions and assistance (ECONorthwest). Intellectual and developmental disabilities encompass a wide range of conditions that include autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other cognitive impairments, which can significantly impact daily living and require various levels of support. ​It's vital that we explore this group's present housing situation and highlight relevant reasons and possible solutions.

People who have developmental disabilities have particular difficulties that raise their chance of being homeless without proper interventions and support. In addition to the Pacific Northwest region's overall affordability crisis and the lack of adequate government assistance, this population is perhaps most significantly impacted by the passing or incapacity of elderly caretakers such as parents (OPB).

This chart from the ECONorthwest study highlights individuals in Oregon at risk of homelessness based on their living arrangement. Among individuals with developmental disabilities residing with a family caregiver, approximately 26 percent are believed to be experiencing housing insecurity.

Contributing Factors

  • Elderly Caretakers
    Among individuals with developmental disabilities who have an older family member as their primary caregiver, the risk of housing insecurity and homelessness increases when their family members is no longer able to care for them due to illness, injury, or death. This situation emphasizes how crucial it is to plan for long-term care and housing options for people with developmental disabilities.
  • Economic Difficulties
    A large number of people with developmental disabilities are dependent on Supplemental Security Income or SSI, which frequently is insufficient to pay for housing. The monthly SSI payout amount in Oregon is $783, which is significantly less than the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment. In the Portland metro area, monthly rents have increased by 83% on average over the last 20 years, whereas monthly SSI benefits have only increased by 50% (ECONorthwest). People with developmental disabilities are financially burdened by this discrepancy, which makes them more likely to become homeless. 
  • Support System Gaps
    Coordination between housing services and organizations that offer assistance to people with developmental disabilities is lacking, according to the ECONorthwest study. The efficacy of programs intended to support these people in maintaining stable housing is hampered by this. Better coordination between housing entities and developmental disability service providers is necessary.

Potential Solutions

  • Increase SSI payments and/or expand housing vouchers
    One solution is to increase the income of the individuals to help them better meet their needs. This could potentially include the expansion of housing vouchers to many more people experiencing developmental disabilities.
  • Increase Funding for Affordable Housing
    Allocating more resources towards affordable housing specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities can help bridge the gap between available income and housing costs.
  • Better Coordination of Services
    Improving the alignment between housing services and support providers can ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities receive comprehensive care tailored to their needs.
  • Targeted assistance toward caregivers to help them better plan for the future
    Since one of the major issues is aging and illness among older caregivers, a program could assist them with long-term planning for their loved one. This would ideally be in combination with financial assistance.

The Need for Better Data 

One of the major challenges in addressing housing insecurity among individuals with developmental disabilities is the lack of current and reliable data. The Oregon Department of Human Services provides data on the types of developmental disabilities that individuals experience, including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, precise statistics on homelessness broken down by specific disability types are limited. The National Core Indicators surveys offer some insights into the experiences and needs of individuals with different types of developmental disabilities, emphasizing the importance of tailored support services​.

The issue of homelessness among individuals with developmental disabilities in Oregon is a multifaceted problem that requires immediate attention. Economic challenges, support system gaps, and the aging of caregivers all contribute to the housing instability faced by this vulnerable population. Addressing these issues will require a concerted effort from policymakers, service providers, and the community. By shining a light on these challenges, we can advocate for the necessary changes to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities have access to safe and stable housing.

For further information on homelessness in Oregon, please visit Portland State University's Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative.

References

ECONorthwest. 2020. "Report: Oregonians with Intellectual Disabilities Are at Growing Risk of Homelessness." Retrieved May 13, 2024 (https://www.kunifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ECONorthwestStudy.pdf).

OPB. 2020. "Report: Oregonians with Intellectual Disabilities Are at Growing Risk of Homelessness."  Retrieved May 13, 2024 (https://www.opb.org/article/2020/10/03/report-oregonians-with-intellectual-disabilities-are-at-growing-risk-of-homelessness/).

National Core Indicators. 2023. "Overview and Methodology of NCI-developmental disabilities." Retrieved May 13, 2024 (https://developmental disabilities.nationalcoreindicators.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IPS-21-22-NCI-developmental disabilities-Overview-and-Methodology_FINAL5_12.pdf).

Oregon Department of Human Services. 2023. "Developmental Disabilities Data: Data and Research." Oregon.gov. Retrieved May 13, 2024 (https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/seniors-disabilities/DD/pages/data.aspx).

Portland State University. 2024. "Portland State Releases 2023 Oregon Statewide Homelessness Report." Portland State University News. Retrieved May 13, 2024 (https://www.pdx.edu/news/portland-state-releases-2023-oregon-statewide-homelessness-report).

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