Last updated: May 14, 2025
General information
What is the Street Services Coordination Center?
The Street Services Coordination Center (SSCC) streamlines services to those living outside and increases the efficiency of the City of Portland’s homelessness response efforts.
The 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.
The SSCC also includes 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 available furthers the City’s commitment to lead with an outreach-first approach in its homelessness response efforts.
How can I get a shelter referral?
Referrals to the City's Alternative Shelters are made directly by SSCC outreach workers. Outreach workers conduct their work in the field, and locations vary on a day-to-day basis. We are unable to take third party referral requests or requests sent by email at this time.
The City also operates overnight shelter locations, with beds available every evening. Most of these sites offer beds on a first-come, first-served basis, but full details, locations and information is available on the Overnight Shelter website or by calling 211.
There are also many other shelters run by Multnomah County and independent providers. Locations and information about all local shelter options can be accessed by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.
Can I request assistance from a City Street Outreach worker?
Yes, by calling 311 or filling out our online form, you can request to be seen by an outreach team member, or request the service on behalf of someone else, as long as you have that person’s permission to do so. The goal is to send an outreach worker to provide initial engagement with a person experiencing homelessness, assess that persons needs and offer appropriate and available services. Engagement could include offering shelter information and referrals to congregate shelters, Safe Rest Villages, designated RV safe parking sites, and other alternatives, as available.
Since the SSCC was created under an emergency declaration, does that mean the SSCC is temporary? And if so, what will happen when the declaration expires?
Emergency declarations must be renewed every two weeks, per City code. We anticipate the declaration will be extended for at least one year, but we are also exploring options that allow for greater flexibility and evolution.
Who oversees the Street Services Coordination Center?
A Street Services Coordination Center Incident Commander has been appointed to manage the SSCC. They report to the Director of Portland Solutions.
Will there be public information about which camps have been posted and/or removed?
Information about which campsites have been posted and/or removed is publicly available online on the Impact Reduction Program's Interactive Dashboard and through the Impact Reduction Program’s weekly campsite reports. You can request to have these reports emailed to you through this SIGN UP FORM.
What if someone doesn’t want to go to a shelter?
Although we will make shelter referrals, the decision to go to a shelter is 100% voluntary. No one will be forced to go to a shelter. Outreach providers will work with individuals on a case-by-case basis to identify which resources would be most helpful to them. Our outreach work is performed with compassion for the unsheltered, and we know there are many reasons why people may not want to go to a shelter. We are also mindful that the people who don't want to go to a shelter aren't necessarily the people who are creating a negative livability impact on our public spaces.
If police respond to an emergency situation involving someone experiencing homelessness, do they notify the Street Services Coordination Center?
It really depends on the situation. A handful of Portland's law enforcement officers have been assigned to work on the Street Services Coordination Center team and they will work together as needed to properly address any emergency situations.
Are warming fires still allowed at camps, and how will the Street Services Coordination Center respond to them?
The SSCC will be following current Fire & Rescue Bureau protocols. This could change depending on direction from the Fire Chief.
Campsite reporting
Will reporting for campsites be different? Who does the public contact about campsites?
No, the process for reporting campsites will not change. The City’s Impact Reduction Program will continue to respond to campsite reports. Anyone who wants to report concerns about a campsite can fill out an online report or call the City's Information and Referral team at 311.
How do we choose which camps will be removed first? Is there going to be a prioritization system?
Every reported campsite is first assessed by a trained workcrew contract by the City’s Impact Reduction Program. That assessment crew engages with people at the site, offers resources, picks up garbage identified by campers and conducts an assessment based on pre-established criteria, including:
- Proximity to high traffic corridors
- Conspicuous drug use or paraphernalia
- Impact on neighborhood livability
- Proximity to school, park with playground or private residence
- Environmental impact
- Restricts access by Americans with Disabilities Act standards
- Posted no-trespassing
- Size of camp
- Reported violence or crime
- Blocking public access
- Restricts maintenance
Based on the assessment, sites that pose the highest risk to health and safety are scheduled for removal. The City posts legal notices to inform people their campsite will be removed sometime between 72 hours and 10 days. When campsites are removed, personal property is stored for at least 30 days. People are encouraged to call and schedule a time to pick up their items.
Where are we putting people’s belongings after they are collected from a campsite removal?
Personal belongings collected from campsites will be stored at a city storage facility for at least 30 days. Property left for longer than 30 days will be destroyed or donated.
If someone wants to arrange pickup, they should call 503-387-1336 with the date, location and a description of items collected Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Please note that the city does not publicize the location of the storage facility for safety reasons.
Are there restrictions on what kinds of items the City stores?
Yes, the City is legally required to store specific items. The City’s mandatory storage policy (along with a list of items that will and will not be stored) is available online.
What do I do if people experiencing homelessness return to an area that was cleaned?
Being homeless is not a crime, but Portland City Code can prohibit camping on public property. When necessary, the City mitigates the impact that camping has on public property by picking up trash, biohazards and personal property to reduce health and safety risks for the entire community, and when necessary we inform people they need to leave a specific site. However, once the posted warning signs have expired, we do not prevent people from returning to sites that have been cleaned. If a returned site becomes unsafe again, people are encouraged to report it.