Background
The Street Services Coordination Center (SSCC) was created under an emergency declaration issued by former Mayor Ted Wheeler on March 2, 2022. Operating under an incident command structure, the SSCC works to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to services and shelter options. As part of Portland Solutions, the SSCC partners with the Public Environment Management Office, the Impact Reduction Program and City Shelter Services to synchronize the City’s homelessness response efforts and provide improved resolution to community concerns.
Organizational Structure
The City of Portland provides governance and delivers services through dozens of different bureaus, offices and programs. Although voter-mandated charter reform has dramatically increased centralization, it can still be challenging, even for the City’s 7,000+ internal staff members, to know who to contact and where to go for needed services. The SSCC was designed to bring together the right people and resources to tackle the City’s most pressing concerns and solve problems.
The work of the Street Services Coordination Center is wide ranging, but regular responsibilities include supporting the Impact Reduction Program’s homeless camp removal operations, helping address high-impact camps by bringing together other local property-owning jurisdictions, private property owners, Portland Police, and Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to provide comprehensive solutions and address lived-in vehicles. Additionally, the Street Services Coordination Center works with members of the community and the Public Environment Management Office in directing revitalization and beautification projects across the city that help improve safety and deter chronic nuisances.
In 2023, the Street Services Coordination Center added a team of street outreach professionals with specialized training and experience in trauma informed engagement, clinical social work, Emergency Medical Services, nonviolent conflict resolution and case management. Having the City Street Outreach team working alongside Police, PBOT and Impact Reduction Program crews furthers the City’s commitment to lead with an outreach-first approach in its homelessness response efforts. The City Street Outreach team also manages the referral process for the City’s Alternative Shelter sites, and offers outreach and navigation services by request through 311.