Shelter Successes - June 2025

Each month, we will provide updates on the "smaller" wins usually hidden by the biggest goal of all--housing. These include managing the barriers that prevent someone from accessing housing or job resources, and can include such seemingly simple items as identification and social security cards. Some wins will be major, but are not considered "housing"--such as moving into drug treatment or moving in with family.  Every month will be different, and each shelter within our system has a different method of managing the housing process for participants. As such, some months some providers will have lots of updates--some less so. But our shelter operators are all working tirelessly to help support all of our participants every day--this is only a small highlight of their work. These also are only a small reflection of the work shelter providers are doing. We are serving over 1,000 people every night, and each of them are moving forward on their individual goals. 

Have questions? Or have suggestions on other wins we should share? Reach out to shelterservices@portlandoregon…. If you want more detailed information on our exits, and the demographics of our shelters, we always encourage you to look at our data dashboard, which is updated quarterly.

Bybee Lakes Hope Center 

• 1 participant celebrated 1 year of sobriety after a decade of addiction, and is moving on to other job opportunities.
  • Often, what people need in shelter is a place to stabilize and reconnect with healthcare and services. Finding the correct path forward for each individual can be challenging and can take many folks a long time to find what works for them. So, helping participants find their individualized path forward is often the first step for any case manager at any shelter. 

Clinton Triangle 

• 1 participant moved into sober living
  • Finding stability and sobriety within a shelter setting are common stories of the people we are serving. Helping people connect with an appropriate living situation that fits their healing journey is a big part of what our case managers do.
• 1 participant received a housing referral through Veteran's Affairs
  • Veterans make up a large percentage of our unhoused population here in Portland. However, sometimes it can be challenging for those living outside to get access to their VA benefits. Case managers will design resource plans based on the individual life stories of the participant. In this case, this person was able to get resources because of their veteran status.
• 5 participants received their vital documents
  • Vital documents, including an ID and their Social Security Card, allows participants to access other necessary resources, like jobs and potential housing opportunities. Many homeless people lose or do not have access to their vital documents, so often it is the first step in the service process for case managers.
• 1 Participants received a referral to mental health services.
  • A large percentage of our unhoused neighbors suffer from mental illness. Receiving vital mental health support is a necessary step for many.
• 2 participants signed up for peer support training
  • Often, once shelter participants are on their own recovery journey, they become inspired to help their friends and neighbors still inside the shelter. Becoming a peer support specialist allows them to get work that allows them to focus on keeping their clients accountable on their life goals and help them access resources.
• 13 participants received their flagging certification
  • Flagging is a stable and in-demand job. Helping participants find job opportunities that are sustainable long-term is a vital step towards helping some find stability long-term. 

NE Weidler Village 

• 2 participants have moved into housing!
• 3 participants have submitted apartment applications
  • Sunstone Way's Housing Navigators assist participants in writing apartment applications for long-term housing. Helping support participants while they navigate the complex housing process is a huge part of any shelter operator's job.

North Portland Rd

• 5 participants received employment referrals
  • Finding stable employment is a goal many unhoused people have as a way to set themselves up for long-term stability. Oftentimes, case managers work with temp agencies or other local businesses to provide a variety of job opportunities to participants that reflect the diversity of ability and skillsets within our unhoused population.
• 2 participants enrolled in SNAP
  • While the shelter does provide food, giving people the ability to buy their own food is crucial for long-term success both while people are in shelter and once they leave.
• 2 participants received housing referrals through the VA
  • Veterans make up a large percentage of our unhoused population here in Portland. However, sometimes it can be challenging for those living outside to get access to their VA benefits. Case managers will design resource plans based on the individual life stories of the participant. In this case, this person was able to get resources because of their veteran status.
• 3 participants obtained ID

River District Navigation Center 

• 5 participants received vital documents
  • Vital documents, including an ID and their Social Security Card, allows participants to access other necessary resources, like jobs and potential housing opportunities. Many homeless people lose or do not have access to their vital documents, so often it is the first step in the service process for case managers.
• 1 participant connected to peer support
  • Peer support is a job, often provided by someone with lived experience being homeless, that supports a shelter participant through regular check ins on their goals, and what steps they have taken so far to meet them. They serve as a friend and mentor to provide gentle accountability and remind participants that there is a chance of moving forward in their life. A participant connecting with peer support means they are taking the steps necessary to move forward.
• 1 participant connected with healthcare services and received new glasses
  • Often, our unhoused neighbors do not have access to regular healthcare. Once a participant stabilizes in an environment, they are able to reconnect with vital medical services--like the eye doctor.
• 3 participants connected to chiropractic care.
• 1 participant had their deposit paid by the shelter operator in their new apartment, as well as 3 months rent.
  • Often, many participants simply need a start. They can afford to pay the rent month-to-month, but they cannot afford the first and last month's rent often required by apartment buildings. 

Reedway 

• 3 participants placed on priority list from the Multnomah Services and Screening Tool (MSST)
  • The MSST is a newly designed coordinated access tool for Multnomah County. Those with higher needs are placed on a priority list. Using these tools allows our shelter operators to access all housing resources available for participants.
• 1 participant has ordered their new Social Security card.  

SW Naito Village 

• The new referral system sheltered someone within 2.5 hours of pod become available
  • Being able to rapidly fill shelter units is a vital part of shelter success. We are proud of the collaboration among the shelter operator and referral partners to make this happen! The faster someone is served, the faster they receive the help so desperately needed.