Introduction
Homelessness is a complex issue, and--despite the obviousness of such a statement--it is important to see the as many of its moving parts as possible. The causes of homelessness are varied and the factors that play a role in the issue are as various as the individuals affected. Homelessness does not affect any one group of people in particular, nor can any aspect related to it be solved without simultaneously addressing many of the others. Our goal here is not to overwhelm, but to provide information that will serve to give scope to the problem in order to humanize those affected by it.
What is a “single-night” study?
A single night study is a snapshot of the homelessness problem. A survey designed to gather a broad range of statistics about the community, its purpose is to allow researchers to see the impact programs have as well as the extent of the problem. These reports are generally made public every two years and contain information regarding: sex, race, age, occupation, location, resources used, families, veterans, disability, and more. This particular study was conducted in February 2017 and surveyed the Multnomah County in Oregon.
Findings of the 2017 Survey
About every two years, a point in time estimate of statewide homelessness in Oregon is released to the public. Below are some facts and figures regarding the homeless situation in Multnomah County, which includes the Portland Metropolitan area in 2017.
On the night in question, there were at least 4,177 people experiencing homelessness. The following percentages were calculated using this base rate.
A single night study is a snapshot of the homelessness problem. A survey designed to gather a broad range of statistics about the community, its purpose is to allow researchers to see the impact programs have as well as the extent of the problem. These reports are generally made public every two years and contain information regarding: sex, race, age, occupation, location, resources used, families, veterans, disability, and more. This particular study was conducted in February 2017 and surveyed the Multnomah County in Oregon.
Findings of the 2017 Survey
About every two years, a point in time estimate of statewide homelessness in Oregon is released to the public. Below are some facts and figures regarding the homeless situation in Multnomah County, which includes the Portland Metropolitan area in 2017.
On the night in question, there were at least 4,177 people experiencing homelessness. The following percentages were calculated using this base rate.
- Basic Facts
- This is a 10% increase from the population counted in 2015.
- 16% included families with children
- Gender
- 62% identified as male
- 37% identified as female
- 1% identified as transgender
- Race
- 69% White
- 14% African American
- 5% Native Indian or Alaskan
- 9% Other Races
- Chronic Homelessness
- Under one third (30.9%) of the population ment the current definition of chronic homelessness.
- Rose by 24.9% over two years.
- A majority of chronically homeless people remain unsheltered (71.1%).
- Disability
- 60.5% reported living with one or more disabilities (including mental, physical, and/or substances-use disorder).
- Increased by 16.1% over two years.
For a more detailed breakdown, visit the following articles:
Portland State University 2017 Point In Time Count of HOmelessness in Portland/Gresham/Multnomah County, Oregon by Uma Krishnan and Deborah Elliott |
2017 Homelessness Snapshot from Transition Projects including detailed visual descriptions | Homelessness Statistics in the Portland Metro Area by Sydney Linden on Joinpdx.org
Portland State University 2017 Point In Time Count of HOmelessness in Portland/Gresham/Multnomah County, Oregon by Uma Krishnan and Deborah Elliott |
2017 Homelessness Snapshot from Transition Projects including detailed visual descriptions | Homelessness Statistics in the Portland Metro Area by Sydney Linden on Joinpdx.org
Articles on Homelessness in Portland
It is difficult to impossible to fully describe the scope of homelessness in Portland. As a result, we encourage you to seek information out on your own to build your own conclusions on the scope of the problem and the importance (or lack thereof) of intervening in these problems. We have gotten you started with a few articles showing different groups takes on the problem.
How Portland Tried, and Failed, to Provide a Bed For All Its Homeless Children
by Amelia Templeton
A shelter funded by the City of Portland and Multnomah County through the Joint Office of Homeless Services. They promised to provide a bed for every child that was in need of one. No waitlist. No family turned away. When their 130 beds were in use and another 50 beds dedicated to homeless families were occupied, the country paid for hotel rooms. This started to become unsustainable. In October 2017 they reached 468 people, outnumbering the number of beds they had. It became clear that they needed to start turning people away. Portland and Multnomah County can no longer claim to be able to provide a warm safe bed for every family that needs a place to sleep.
For more information on the implications and effects of this policy change, visit the article.
by Amelia Templeton
A shelter funded by the City of Portland and Multnomah County through the Joint Office of Homeless Services. They promised to provide a bed for every child that was in need of one. No waitlist. No family turned away. When their 130 beds were in use and another 50 beds dedicated to homeless families were occupied, the country paid for hotel rooms. This started to become unsustainable. In October 2017 they reached 468 people, outnumbering the number of beds they had. It became clear that they needed to start turning people away. Portland and Multnomah County can no longer claim to be able to provide a warm safe bed for every family that needs a place to sleep.
For more information on the implications and effects of this policy change, visit the article.
Portland's Homeless Challenge
By Michael J. Totten
An overview of the unique situation that Portland is in regarding homelessness and the nontraditional methods the city has begun to use to address the problem. Following the deinstitutionalization movement of the 1970’s, the author explains some of the problems facing Portland’s homeless population, such as mental illness and drug abuse. Portland is, relatively speaking, a better city than most to be homeless in, mostly due to the mildness of weather and its many services. One particular growing service is the building of community-based villages. One, Dignity Village, which began as a tent village, has become a small thriving community. This approach may not only alleviate the problem, but also help Portland to lead the nation in finding new and compassionate solutions.
For more information on the unique ways Portland is attempting to address homelessness, visit the article.
By Michael J. Totten
An overview of the unique situation that Portland is in regarding homelessness and the nontraditional methods the city has begun to use to address the problem. Following the deinstitutionalization movement of the 1970’s, the author explains some of the problems facing Portland’s homeless population, such as mental illness and drug abuse. Portland is, relatively speaking, a better city than most to be homeless in, mostly due to the mildness of weather and its many services. One particular growing service is the building of community-based villages. One, Dignity Village, which began as a tent village, has become a small thriving community. This approach may not only alleviate the problem, but also help Portland to lead the nation in finding new and compassionate solutions.
For more information on the unique ways Portland is attempting to address homelessness, visit the article.
Bussed Out: How American Moves its Homeless
By Alastair Gee, Julia Carrie Wong, and company.
An article covering the relocation efforts of large cities like New York to places like Miami, Huston, and Las Vegas. This effort has been attempted in Portland as well. This article has wonderful graphics and well researched representations of the problem and how we as a culture are choosing to ignore the problem in favor of shipping it out.
For more information on homelessness around the country and how the pattern can be observed in Portland, visit the article.
By Alastair Gee, Julia Carrie Wong, and company.
An article covering the relocation efforts of large cities like New York to places like Miami, Huston, and Las Vegas. This effort has been attempted in Portland as well. This article has wonderful graphics and well researched representations of the problem and how we as a culture are choosing to ignore the problem in favor of shipping it out.
For more information on homelessness around the country and how the pattern can be observed in Portland, visit the article.
Half of the arrests in Portland last year were of homeless people. Mayor Ted Wheeler says that's a problem
by Rebecca Woolington
This article looks at the arrests in the homeless population of portland compared with the housed population in portland. It comments on how people are quick to contact authorities leading to the main cause of homeless arrests being due to trespassing. This coupled with the difficulty to meet the requirements of the courts for bail and court dates means they are at higher risk of being charged again.
For more information on impact and response from the city on arrests and homelessness, visit the article.
by Rebecca Woolington
This article looks at the arrests in the homeless population of portland compared with the housed population in portland. It comments on how people are quick to contact authorities leading to the main cause of homeless arrests being due to trespassing. This coupled with the difficulty to meet the requirements of the courts for bail and court dates means they are at higher risk of being charged again.
For more information on impact and response from the city on arrests and homelessness, visit the article.
Portland's homeless population jumps nearly 10 percent, new count shows
by Molly Harbarger
The homeless population in multnomah country has increased by 10 percent in the past two years resulting in over 4,000 people on any given night without homes. That said, other research is suggesting that more people are staying in emergency shelters and fewer people are sleeping on the streets in recent years. This discrepancy is likely due to sampling data but plays in to the important question regarding how to determine what is a problem and what is not when it comes to complex issues like homelessness.
For more information on the efforts in Portland and their impact over the past few years, visit the article.
by Molly Harbarger
The homeless population in multnomah country has increased by 10 percent in the past two years resulting in over 4,000 people on any given night without homes. That said, other research is suggesting that more people are staying in emergency shelters and fewer people are sleeping on the streets in recent years. This discrepancy is likely due to sampling data but plays in to the important question regarding how to determine what is a problem and what is not when it comes to complex issues like homelessness.
For more information on the efforts in Portland and their impact over the past few years, visit the article.
Ecomerge Blog Posts
EcoMerge is a diverse blog dedicated to articles written by different classes at Portland State University. Below is a collection of some of their articles on homelessness and the problems faced as a result. All the articles are written by students taking the class. We encourage you to look through them all and see what they reference in their posts.
Responses from Representatives in Portland to the Homelessness Crisis:
Portland Police Respond to Criticism | Plan to End Homelessness | Ted Wheeler Takes Notice | A Homeless Solution in Portland Blocked by Financial Problems | Homelessness in Portland | Lack of Funding, Lack of Options | Raising New Shelter| Petition for City of Portland to Adopt a Compassionate Response to Homelessness | Oregon Ranks First for Homeless Youth in U.S.
Portland Police Respond to Criticism | Plan to End Homelessness | Ted Wheeler Takes Notice | A Homeless Solution in Portland Blocked by Financial Problems | Homelessness in Portland | Lack of Funding, Lack of Options | Raising New Shelter| Petition for City of Portland to Adopt a Compassionate Response to Homelessness | Oregon Ranks First for Homeless Youth in U.S.
National Homelessness News:
There’s an Easy Fix, but we’re not doing it | Homelessness: Still On the Rise | Complexity, Causes, and Compassion | The Success with Housing First | Beggars can't be Choosers, but they don't want your McDouble | 5 Things to Remember if YOU Find Yourself Homeless
There’s an Easy Fix, but we’re not doing it | Homelessness: Still On the Rise | Complexity, Causes, and Compassion | The Success with Housing First | Beggars can't be Choosers, but they don't want your McDouble | 5 Things to Remember if YOU Find Yourself Homeless