Community Report

Understanding Homelessness in Portland

We ask what Portlanders need to understand about a thorny issue in a city grappling with its ideals.

04/23/2019 Edited by Fiona McCann

Homelessness: Numbers

The Numbers Behind Oregon's Homelessness Crisis

A quick look at the vital stats

04/23/2019 By Wriik Maui

Homelessness: Neighborhood

How One North Portland Neighborhood Is a Microcosm of Our Homelessness Problem

When it comes to the encampment-dotted Peninsula Crossing Trail, neighbors want a safe space; homeless Portlanders want the same thing.

04/23/2019 By Sam Pape

Homelessness: Viewpoints

What Don't We Understand About Homelessness in Portland?

We spoke to a shelter worker, someone who has lived on our streets, a cop, nonprofit directors, and more to find out.

04/23/2019 By Fiona McCann, Rebecca Jacobson, Kelly Clarke, Marty Patail, Margaret Seiler, and Ramona DeNies

Books

The Hero of This YA Book Is a Houseless High Schooler

Portland author Connie King Leonard’s debut novel, Sleeping in My Jeans, tackles the effects of homelessness on kids.

12/27/2018 By Emma Luthy

Light a Fire 2018: Best New Nonprofit

This Portland Nonprofit Transforms Homeless Youth into Filmmakers

At Outside the Frame, street kids take charge of their own stories.

10/17/2018 By Rebecca Jacobson

Politics

Kate Brown and Knute Buehler, in Their Own Words

We ask the major-party gubernatorial candidates about what's best for Oregon.

10/17/2018 By Marty Patail

Sports

An Innovative Grassroots Soccer Tournament Takes on Homelessness

Timbers stars and community activists will kick off in the Portland Social Change Cup, harnessing street soccer for good causes.

05/25/2018 By Sam Pape

Real Estate: A Good Place

An Innovative Recovery Center Breaks Ground in East Portland

Central City Concern brings social services to a fast-growing, oft-neglected section of the city.

03/27/2018 By Zach Dundas

Design Week 2018: Dave Otte

What Is Architecture's Social Responsibility?

Dave Otte of Holst Architecture talks housing insecurity and design.

03/27/2018 By Anya Rehon

Q&A

Can a Website Help Fight Portland's Housing Crisis?

Once homeless, Tyrone Poole now runs a start-up that connects would-be renters with real choices.

03/27/2018 By Marty Patail

Media

Meet the New Executive Director of Street Roots

Kaia Sand looks to the future of Portland's nonprofit street weekly.

02/27/2018 By Jason Cohen

Best of the Year

Portland Monthly's Top 10 Stories of 2017

What made readers click this year? Among other things: creepy monster masks, kid-friendly eateries, and life-giving Korean spas.

12/19/2017 By Portland Monthly Staff

Shopping

Portland's Hottest Holiday Pop-Up Is This Youth-Run Urban Apparel Shop

dfrntpigeon wants to change your perception of youth homelessness.

12/05/2017 By Anya Rehon

Light a Fire 2017: Extraordinary Executive Director

Ed Blackburn Looks Back On 25 Years at Central City Concern

The retiring executive director has devoted his career to working with the homeless.

10/16/2017 By Marty Patail

Light a Fire 2017: Game-Changing Project

How a Portland-Wide Collaboration Helped Shelter Homeless Women

Pods from PSU’s Center for Public Interest Design might be tiny, but the idea’s big.

10/16/2017 By Marty Patail

Everyday Activism

You Can Now Support Homeless LGBTQ Youth by Washing Your Hair

Rudy’s Barbershop is donating bottles of its new unisex product line to Portland’s Outside In, among other organizations.

03/28/2017 By Meagan Nolan

Development

These 'Sleeping Pods' Provide Safety and Warmth for Portland’s Homeless

The Partners on Dwelling Initiative fills a void at the intersection of architecture and activism.

01/26/2017 By Ko Ricker

Light a Fire 2016: Extraordinary Volunteer

Meet the Volunteer Tattoo Remover Changing Young People’s Lives

Lesley Segal—internal medicine doctor by day—has spent 14 years at Outside In’s Project Erase tattoo removal program.

10/10/2016 By Eden Dawn

Light a Fire 2016: Exceptional Pro Bono Contribution

This Global Branding Agency Helps Portland Street Kids Become Designers

AKQA provides materials, expertise, and guidance. The kids do the rest.

10/10/2016 By Lisa Dunn