Help for Portland's Homelessness Crisis

News Article
A row of small, decorated shelters in a gravel lot.
Published

Affordable housing is one of many factors in Portland’s homelessness crisis. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, housing costs (including utilities) must be 30% or less of the household income to be considered “affordable.”
 

Portland's Affordability Gap. A pie chart. 30% or less. Housing costs should be 30% or less of household income to be affordable. A bag of money. $30,000, rough annual income for a minimum wage ($24 per hour) job in Portland. A small house. $750 or less, the monthly cost of affordable housing based on Portland's minimum wage. A large house. $1,572, average monthly cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Portland.

If we look at income and housing cost data for Portland, it’s clear that many Portlanders are spending more than 30% on their housing. Portland’s minimum wage is $14 and the annual income for a person earning minimum wage is about $30,000. For this person’s housing to be affordable, it must be $750 per month or less. But, according to rent.com (as of May 15, 2022), the average cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Portland is $1,572. That’s more than double the affordable level for someone making minimum wage. Portland’s unaffordable housing market makes it difficult, if not impossible, for people living on the street to get into safe permanent housing.

The homelessness crisis touches all of our lives. People experiencing homelessness are part of our neighborhoods and communities as much as anyone else. The City of Portland's Street Services Coordination Center (SSCC) is a collaboration between the City and Multnomah County that provides services to our homeless neighbors. The SSCC engages in outreach to people experiencing homelessness and has put together this list of resources for housed and unhoused Portlanders:

Neighborhood associations, business districts, and other dedicated community organizations have played a huge role in making Safe Rest Villages and other efforts successful. They work with City government to make sure these efforts meet the many complex needs of our communities because increasing the health and safety of our communities means doing so for everyone. It means both keeping our streets clear of hazardous waste and providing shelter and personal hygiene resources. And it means remembering our shared humanity and helping each other when we can.