Vulnerable People and Places Blog

 It's 2024, and not only is the Portland Oregon area experiencing one of the worst winters in recorded history, it's also U.S. primary election season. Without delving too deeply into the political side of Portland Oregon, it's important to note the climates (both literally and figuratively) because I've learned over the years that the resources and services available for some of our most vulnerable populations largely depends on who is in office. I don't mean who our president is, I'm talking about all levels of government because almost anyone who can pick up a mobile device can easily recognize that any Nations "Commander in Chief" is really just a political puppet, sure they're the head puppet but they're a pawn in a rigged game of who has the power. For this reason, I am thankful the United States at least has term limits for the President because it's evident that with enough money and resources, you won't be impeached, or convic...

For many, the response of Portland, Oregon’s Mayor Ted Wheeler, to the ever-growing houseless issue in Portland is too little too late. After being elected mayor in 2016 and reelected in 2020, it has taken more than a third of his time in office to propose a solution to provide affordable housing and authorized houseless camps in the city, according to  OPB . The belated response comes after years of criticism, public embarrassment, and harassment. Hank Sanders from the local news organization  Willamette Week   interviewed Wheeler about the details of these volatile encounters from angry constituents after receiving a public lashing for his lackluster actions in these crises.  Image Source: KGW8 Please take the time after reading to fill out this short survey! Thank you. https://forms.gle/MrsHML16woC5pkBW6 In defense of Wheeler, the houseless problem has been an issue worldwide before Wheeler’s time in office and has grown exponentially since the COVID-19 crisis. Ma...

  Pallet, a Washington social purpose company has revolutionized the homeless shelter, and stands as the most impactful organization to lift people off the streets. The new 64 square foot shelters can be built in as little as one hour, about 40 shelters in one week, and cost only $5,495 each. These cutting edge pallet shelters last over 10 years, contain a fire extinguisher, CO monitor, smoke detector, a secure ventilation system, locks, windows, lights, a structural floor capable of being placed on any surface, air conditioning, heating, electricity, and two beds. Additionally, these shelters can withstand winds of up to 110 mph, 25 lb. per square feet of snow, and they are easily cleaned and disassembled. Pallet has now built shelter communities across the US, including 11 active sites in Oregon. You can see these shelters in Old Town off NW Hoyt St, N Mississippi Ave near Fremont Bridge, and towards Hawthorne next to SE Stephens St. CEO and Founder, Amy King, realized that ...

The end of a recent campaign to end youth homelessness in Washington’s King County was unsuccessful and has yet to get started again. The End Youth Homelessness Now Campaign, supported by federal grants and $1.2 million dollars from philanthropists had a bold timeline of eliminating youth homelessness by 2021. The percentage of homeless youth housed in 2020 remained unchanged from before the campaign - 31%, making up only less than a thousand people. In King County, youth homelessness had been on the decline before the campaign launched. Since 2016, unaccompanied youth and young adults under 25 dropped from 14% of the entire population in the county homeless counts to 8% — fewer than 1,000 people — in January 2020. According to a draft version of an analysis obtained by The Seattle Times, youth homelessness could be solved with a $27.5 million infusion if the system continues operating as it has. But if the system’s performance were to be improved even modestly, the problem could be s...