Vulnerable People and Places Blog

  Psychotic disorders are a type of mental illness that cause people to lose touch with reality, and experience symptoms like hallucinations, paranoia, and incoherent speech. Disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar, and full on psychosis fall into this category. Treatment usually looks like the life-long use of antipsychotic medications from a psychiatrist. A meta-analysis looking at psychotic disorder prevalence among homeless populations around the globe found shocking results. According to their analysis, 21% of the homeless population met the criteria for psychosis, and 10% met the criteria for schizophrenia, which is over 10X higher than prevalence in the housed population (Ayano, 2019).            This presents a possible lack of options and success in the treatment of psychotic disorder that must be brought to attention. Solutions to disproportionate treatment failures in the case of these types of disorders means that both legislature and th...

Rates of homelessness are increasing across America, but especially in Portland, OR. According to the Portland.gov website, homelessness has increased in the city by a striking 65% between 2015 and 2023. Despite increased budgets and city efforts, homelessness is only getting worse. Something is missing from the equation and people are experiencing it and paying for it.  It takes a lot of resources to fix what's already been damaged, but what if we put resources into making sure it never got broken in the first place? One of the most overlooked aspects of the homeless problem in America is prevention, but what does that look like? Does it even work? The average cost of a chronically homeless person costs taxpayers $36,000 a year, while in comparison someone in supportive affordable housing reduces that to only $12,800 a year (National League of Cities, 2024). The first step is simple: rapidly increase affordable housing so people don't get on the streets in the first place, and...

  As I watch the city go by on my commutes around downtown I often see fellow Portlanders speak about the homeless community with disdain. Perhaps the tents don’t match the aesthetics of the city or the encampments make them feel unsafe. Whatever the reason, people on the street deserve to live in dignity without sweeps disrupting their living situations and without people harassing them. What the average middle-class person may not realize is how they have much more in common with a homeless person than they do with the 1%. The cost of living in the United States is only climbing higher as the years go on whilst the minimum wage slowly crawls along to match it leaving Americans across the nation to strategize their spending habits to avoid being financially vulnerable or even on the streets themselves. The causes of homelessness are a myriad of factors, some may be because of vices turned addictions, some may be from the lack of support systems, and for a lot of people, it's the c...

  A sense of hopelessness can be felt around the topic of Portland's homeless population as one may feel nothing is being done to mediate the issues homeless people face. As the winter weather approaches and colder than usual temperatures appear due to La Niña, the concern for those on the street only grows. Although Portland's housing crisis can't be fixed overnight there are programs and services that are in place to help alleviate the strains of homelessness. These services are often provided at the hands of volunteers from the community. Said services are often made to meet people where they're at. This aid can range from personal care to veterinary care to housing! Every Thursday underneath the Hawthorn bridge an organization called "Night Strike" operates and offers a plethora of services for homeless people for a limited time. According to their website Night Strike has been an ongoing organization for 20 years serving the city's homeless people. Du...

Why Sweeps are not the answer to Portland’s Homelessness Crisis As a Portlander who no longer lives in the city, but will always consider it home it can be relieving to return and feel a difference. Feeling safe in areas that before were not walkable, seeing other people out and about able to enjoy the city, and noticing efforts made to ‘clean up’ our downtown. As beneficial as these changes can seem, the question inevitably rises of, ‘but where did all the people living here go?’. The benefits surround those in a place of privilege, as I am blessed to have always had a house with four walls, a family to support me, and a safe place to sleep. What may seem like progress for the city is crucially affecting many of our residents, and faces are too often turned the other way.  In 2023, after years of political movement and uproar following 2020, the city of Portland made a statement and drastically increased encampment sweeps. The city, particularly downtown, took a major hit with rec...

By: Ian McMeekan   Portland has been viewed as dangerous and unsafe for a long time because of the houseless population. In fact “Residents of the Portland metro area have once again said homelessness is a significant negative for the region, with 78% calling it a “very serious problem,” according to a new poll commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive.”reports Nicole Hayden of  The Oregonian . Yet this raises the question of what is being done about it and what programs are available to help with this problem. One such resource is a Program called Rent Well which was founded in 2009 and has educated the houseless population on how to be good tenants before pairing them with a landlord. Despite this, the Rent Well program has not gotten much funding as of late. This is a shame because, without the Rent Well program, this means that there is one less program to aid the houseless, and thus more houseless are on the street. Furthermore with more houseless on the street that means ...

  Divorce is often a life-altering event that brings emotional turmoil and significant changes to daily life. While it marks the end of a chapter, it can also open the door to unexpected struggles, including the risk of homelessness. Divorce, as a social and economic disruptor, intersects with housing instability in profound ways that go unnoticed.  Consider how divorce can lead to financial instability for someone. The separation of shared incomes and the division of assets often leave both parties with fewer resources to manage their own expenses. Legal fees, alimony, child support, and the cost of securing new housing can stretch finances to the breaking point. For families already living paycheck to paycheck, this shift can be devastating.  Loss of Support Systems Depending on the situation at hand, divorce can disrupt support systems that could otherwise provide a safety net. Family, friends, or shared networks may feel divided after the separation, leaving one or bo...

  As many of us already know, homelessness is a complex and multifaceted issue, often driven by a combination of factors like economic instability, lack of affordable housing, and social inequities. With that being said, there is a critical but sometimes overlooked contributor to homelessness that is poor health. Linking things like mental disorders, drug use, and financial stability to homelessness is very common, yet we tend to ignore the ways that having pre-existing poor psychical health can lead to homelessness. The relationship between health and housing is deeply intertwined, as chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and physical abilities can destabilize lives and make it increasingly difficult to maintain a home.  When health deteriorates, it can easily lead you to a cascade of future challenges. Medical expenses can quickly become unmanageable, especially for people without health insurance. It only takes one prolonged hospital stay or ongoing need for expensive...

Children and Homelessness Children are seldom brought up in the conversation about homelessness mainly due to the uncomfortable nature of the topic. From 2021 through 2022, 1.2 million children where homeless which exceeded the population of children in 28 states. This level of homelessness can lead to an 87% increase of dropping out of school. A staggering 71% of homeless children deal with some sort of substance abuse, socially isolate themselves from peers due to shame and of the fear of being bullied by colleagues. Homeless children also tend to have a higher amount of behavioral problems. Not only do children hate the fact of being homeless but they also hate the stigma that is brought along with being homeless. After all being said, what can be done to end youth homelessness? There are various resources that can be used exclusively for youth and in fact, there is a whole list of federal programs that offer resources listed below. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/homelessness-and-h...

  With the increasing challenges people face in finding housing, RentWell is committed to providing a lasting solution by acting as a bridge between houseless individuals and landlords. RentWell leverages its extensive network to address housing challenges effectively. One of the program’s key features is the Landlord Incentive Fund , which offers a financial guarantee of up to $5,000. This initiative plays a crucial role in building landlords' trust and encouraging them to make their properties available for rent. Understanding the Landlord Incentive Fund The Landlord Incentive Fund is designed to connect houseless individuals with landlords by addressing common barriers that often discourage property owners from renting out their homes. These concerns typically include risks such as property damage, unpaid rent, and potential criminal activity by tenants. The fund serves as a financial safety net, offering landlords reimbursement of up to $5,000 for damages, unpaid rent, or other...

Outside the Frame (OTF) began in 2009 stemming from Outside In, a health care and social services company for youth and other marginalized people experiencing homelessness. It has since transformed into a Portland-based non-profit film and media training program that offers education and hands-on training for homeless and marginalized youth.  Outside the Frame markets itself as a program for women and non-binary identifying individuals, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, people living with disability, and those who have experienced poverty or housing insecurity. The program focuses on communities typically excluded from the film industry on professional film sets and is in collaboration with the Oregon Media Pathways Program. The Oregon Media Pathways Program is a program administered by Oregon Film and Outside the Frame to create a pathway for entry and sustained success in the Oregon Media Industry. Underrepresented media creators like homeless youth can obtain paid entry-level positions on local ...

  In one of my graphic design classes, my professor brought up examples of harmful design – architecture, products, layouts, or specific decisions that actively harm certain groups, whether intentional or not. One of the specific examples that was brought up were architectural or functional choices that prevented homeless individuals from setting up camp or finding a safe place to sleep. These decisions ranged from subtle modifications such as armrests on a bench to prevent people from laying down, to targeted deterrents such as metal studs on concrete floors.  This got me thinking: based on this city’s history with architecture, does Portland, Oregon actually care about its homeless population? Even if they do, I don’t think many people know the extent that their decisions exacerbate the homelessness crisis facing the city. We may look at some things as simple as an armrest on a bench and take it for granted, but in the end, these things don’t solve the problem of homelessnes...

  I was driving down in the early mornings in Portland, saying goodbye to my partner as I went on with my busy day. I looked down into the street to see a small line of women and children along this building with two words written on it. Rose Haven, with a symbol of a rose on the corner of the street, lay there. I was interested in why these people waited in line to enter this establishment. Bringing it up to my partner they mentioned that it's a shelter for women and that I should look up at what they do. So I did, and to my surprise, it's pretty popular and has its own media handles to connect to a more contemporary audience.  According to their website, they handle women, children, and gender non-conforming folk who experienced trauma. Whether it's from abuse, loss of home, or any other challenges that cause them to be in a situation where they don't have a place to stay. The crisis in Portland is already enough, but some of these people are mothers of children who n...

When my father's father left for America in the early 1980s, he decided to let his six kids decide whether or not to join him. My father chose to join his father on the trip to the U.S. It was a simpler time, the 1980s, when a man like my father and grandfather could easily enter the U.S. and adapt to the environment there. He was seventeen when he made this journey, leaving behind his life as a kid in Chile to experience the new world. My grandfather eventually decided to return to Chile, realizing it wasn't his place. My dad, however, made the pivotal decision to stay in the U.S. and build a career for himself. This was the biggest turning point for my dad. He barely spoke English and was stranded in Portland with no direction. Yet, he was determined to provide a better future for his future children in a more contemporary country. After working a job for only a week, he was able to secure a position fixing cars at a local mechanic, thanks to his grandfather's connections...

When the topic of housing insecurity is spoken about, the argument that more shelters are needed typically comes up. However, many argue over the fact that some houseless individuals prefer to stay out of shelters and live on the streets instead. While this may seem confusing to many, it’s important to understand the living conditions in shelters and why it may drive people to feel that staying away from shelters is the better choice.  One concern for those experiencing housing insecurity is theft when staying in shelters. Residents are often told that the shelter isn’t responsible for the loss of their belongings and that they should keep an eye on their items. Those who may have more items to look after may find this overwhelming and would rather not put themselves in a situation where they could possibly lose their belongings. Shelters typically don’t have much privacy or areas to safely store items which makes this an issue for many. The lack of privacy may also make some indi...

                          Many homeless populations are Bussed Out from their location of origin to other cities in hope of “uniting them with potential support systems”. However, THIS DOES NOT WORK!!!  It’s been proven that instead of uniting them with support systems, it takes away any support systems they already had.  AND this problem is happening locally, right here in Portland. In a small section of Clackamas County, a city named Oregon city is trying to Buss Out all their homeless, and then close the homeless shelters used to support them. Click on the vlog link below to learn more about how this may affect Oregon City's shelter Father’s Heart. Father's Heart in Oregon City