Hidden in Plain Sight: The Skills and Potential of Portland's Unhoused Community

Skills and Potential of an Overlooked Community: Portland, a city located in Oregon, is often described as a city of progression, creativity, and innovation. The city houses various types of businesses ranging from large corporations to small family or single owned businesses. The people of the city love to support any type of local businesses or ideas. Overall, the community within the city value their self-expression and socially conscious agenda. Although these traits are valued by many, unfortunately they often leave out one group from their community, which is the unhoused or homeless population.

The public often has discussions about homelessness and often debates why or how they ended up like this. These are all important discussions because they often discuss housing problems, systemic problems, or even drug use. While these possibilities may or can be true, we often forget our morality. These homeless are still human beings whom which we share the city with and are often looking for opportunities to turn their lives around. Due to these common public discussions on the homeless, we overlook their worth and forget that these people can possess valuable skills, work ethic, and creativity that not only the community can benefit from but could help change these homeless lives for the better too!

  Interruption not an Identity: People often blame unhoused or homeless individuals, believing their situation is solely the result of their own choices. While this can sometimes be true, many people experience homelessness due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. This is something that needs more understanding and open-mindedness. People often have harsh preconceptions, but at the end of the day, we are all part of the same community trying to thrive. We all share the same city, which is why helping one another truly matters.

Mutual Help: Portland has a variety of community spaces that can help reconnect people to new opportunities, including public libraries, city programs, community kitchens, and resource centers. These spaces could do more to intentionally welcome people experiencing homelessness, since they offer places where skills can be developed or even relearned and practiced. When unhoused individuals have access to these opportunities, it can help rebuild their confidence and self-esteem, making it easier for them to feel valued and take part in a growing and connected community. As a result, this could have a domino effect and get more people off the streets and working!

Future for Homeless: It is important to recognize the value of these people. Imagine a cleaner Portland, fewer unhoused individuals on the streets, stronger community engagement, and a shared goal of working together while valuing and supporting all types of people. This approach would not only benefit those experiencing homelessness but would also support local businesses and the city as a whole. It is a change that needs to happen, and all it takes is a singular business or group to take the first step and then others will follow. I truly believe we need to value and tap into this potential for the benefit of everyone involved.

Website: https://www.sir.advancedleadership.harvard.edu/articles/in-plain-sight-out-of-mind-health-humanity-unhoused

Blog: https://vulnerablepeopleandplaces.blogspot.com/2026/02/hidden-in-plain-sight-skills-and.html