Expecting While Experiencing Homelessness

Being pregnant should be a time of care and preparation for bringing new life into the world. For many women experiencing homelessness, this time is instead filled with fear, instability, and survival. This blog post will shed light on the challenges that pregnant women face while being homeless and what can be done to help homeless women in Portland.

Pregnancy and Homelessness: A Dangerous Combo

Pregnant women who are homeless face a dangerous intersection of health risks and social vulnerability. According to the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council, homeless pregnant women are more likely to suffer from complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and inadequate prenatal care. Several other findings, such as comorbidity, substance use disorder, mental health conditions, infectious disease, and severe maternal morbidity and mortality, were associated with unhoused status in pregnancy.

These individuals were ten times more likely to die during childbirth.

These are not just numbers but represent real women facing life-threatening risks. These are real mothers and babies facing challenges every single day.

These findings urge the need for interventions to support pregnant individuals experiencing homelessness.

Who’s Helping?

In Portland, many shelters are not equipped to support pregnant women. Waitlists for family housing are long, and even when shelter is found, many facilities lack prenatal services for women. Many houseless pregnant women face other problems as well, including limited transportation to medical appointments, lack of health insurance, and increased risk of violence or exploitation. Systemic barriers like these make it impossible to maintain consistent care or preparation for a healthy delivery.

Some local organizations are working to bridge this gap. Rose Haven, Portland’s only day shelter and community center specifically for women and gender-diverse individuals, offers a trauma-informed space where pregnant women can access meals, hygiene facilities, healthcare referrals, and compassionate advocacy.

Rose Haven is located at 1740 NW Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97209.

They operate Monday through Friday, with specific hours for guest services.

Other helpful resources:

Mental Health and Trauma

Many unhoused pregnant women are also survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or long-term trauma. Without stable housing or access to trauma-informed care, mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD often go untreated. Chronic stress during pregnancy doesn’t just affect the mother, but it's associated with poor birth outcomes and developmental risk for the baby.

Solutions That Make a Difference

Research and practice show that targeted interventions can make a real difference in maternal and infant outcomes. A review published in Children and Youth Services Review emphasizes that the most effective interventions are holistic, where services supporting physical health, mental wellness, parenting skills, and long-term stability are provided alongside housing. In Portland, Rose Haven exemplifies this holistic approach by providing hot meals, hygiene access, and emergency supplies in a low-barrier, trauma-informed setting. Settings like these fill an important gap, especially for those who may not qualify for traditional shelters or housing programs.

Why You Should Care and What You Can Do

No one should have to choose between survival and a safe pregnancy. Every pregnant woman deserves care and support, no matter their housing situation.

💙 You can help: