Vulnerable People and Places Blog

Over the years I've had the pleasure of working with many folks in community service organizations both as a client in need of services, as well as a person working to provide others with services. From this lived experience a very brief survey was created that collects data about how each organization can best serve their clients, based on actual questions I have had to answer to receive help. You can find that survey here:  https://forms.gle/trU3Ngt9SfneG2HJ9 Source cited in this post: Bauer  Photo credit :, P. (2022, July 14). Pulse surveys: a quickfire guide for HR professionals . Cezanne HR. https://cezannehr.com/hr-blog/2022/05/what-are-pulse-surveys/

  Image by: The Grant Halliburton Foundation In the heart of our cities, a silent crisis unfolds - the disproportionately high rates of homelessness among LGBTQ individuals . It is an issue that demands our attention, empathy, and action. Why should you, the reader, care about LGBTQ homelessness? Beyond the moral imperative, it's a matter of social justice and equality.  LGBTQ individuals face unique challenges, including family rejection, discrimination, and heightened rates of mental health issues, pushing them into the perilous cycle of homelessness. This is not just an LGBTQ issue; it's a human issue. Every person, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves the basic human right of a safe and secure place to call home. Consider the stark statistics: LGBTQ youth are significantly overrepresented in homeless populations. They often find themselves on the streets after being rejected by their families due to their sexual orientation or gender identi

In recent years, Portland has faced a growing homelessness crisis, with the number of unsheltered people in the city increasing significantly. In response to this, the city has established sanctioned homeless camp locations, which provide a safe and regulated environment for people experiencing homelessness to live in. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and challenges of these sanctioned homeless camp locations in Portland. Portland is known for its progressive policies and dedication to providing support for those in need. One area where this is especially true is in the city's approach to addressing homelessness. In recent years, Portland has implemented a number of sanctioned homeless camp locations throughout the city. These camps are intended to provide a safe, secure space for those experiencing homelessness, while also helping to address the issue of unsheltered individuals in the city. Sanctioned homeless camps are designated areas where people experiencing hom

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. Many grassroots organ

  Image courtesy of istockphoto.com   Monica* is a 61-year-old disabled woman working three jobs to make her ends meet. She makes roughly $2,500 a month, pays $1500 for rent, $300 for car, plus add in bills and food and it becomes impossible to save any money. Monica’s rent is going up, and she needs cheaper housing. She needs to drop two jobs because she physically cannot work that much, but if she does this, she will be homeless. Monica applied for several waitlists for federally funded housing, housing vouchers, section 8, section 42, and more. She isn't old enough for senior housing (age 62). She was denied every time for “making too much money” to meet income restrictions or “not enough money” to meet 3x rent for the apartments. She would literally need to be homeless to get help. And even then, some places require jobs, a specific monthly income, and base your income on last year’s tax return.   Post COVID-19 the housing voucher and housing assistance waist lists have hundred