Homeless Services Department

How do we build long-term housing stability in Multnomah County? 🏠

Portland State University’s Homelessness Research & Action has released Part 2 of the HSD-funded Pathways Study. Informed by a lived experience advisory group (the TREES committee), the report demonstrates that homelessness stems from complex systemic drivers—like skyrocketing rents and sudden economic shocks—rather than single isolated events.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, the study offers a data-driven roadmap to target early prevention, reform system gaps, and address root structural causes alongside immediate shelter needs.

👇 Read the full PSU press release and access the study below.

We’re excited to be part of the 2026 Housing Oregon Conference.

Nathaniel VerGow, Director of the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department, will be speaking on a panel presentation – Five Years In: The State of Our Homeless Services Systems and What Comes Next, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

You’ll hear from executive leaders in the tri-county region about the progress made in homeless services systems through the SHS measure and in regionalizing our systems of care. Leaders will discuss the continued challenges in the region and areas of improvement to strengthen public trust and confidence for future investment.

Learn more & register by September 15: housingoregon.org/conference/

Join us for the September 2026 edition of our newsletter and discover how the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department is working tirelessly to support our community:

🏢Q4 SHS Report Highlights: Over 1,000 neighbors moved into stable housing this year, thanks to the Metro Supportive Housing Measure. Read our newly released Q4 report which shows significant progress across Multnomah County over the past year.

🕊️ Remembering Becky Lange: We honor Becky Lange for her invaluable advocacy and commitment in the work to end homelessness. Her legacy reminds us that those closest to homelessness often hold the keys to effective solutions.

❤️ Cross-Sector Case Conferencing: We invite dedicated providers to join our new CSCC Leadership Table to enhance collaboration between homeless services and healthcare.

🏫 ️ NEFS Neighborhood Meeting: Learn about the new Northeast Family Shelter on September 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Mt. Hood Community College. Connect with project leaders and discuss integration plans.

Read the full newsletter below!

"Doing as much—if not more—with less."

Our Homeless Services Department Director, Nathaniel VerGow, joined OPB’s Think Out Loud yesterday to discuss the future of homeless services in Multnomah County, navigating current fiscal shifts, and applying key lessons from his work with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to build a more efficient, impactful system.

Listen to the full conversation on OPB below.

"Our mission is getting folks off of the streets and into permanent housing... Accountability is my mantra for the year, and that means getting laser-focused on what is proven to have the best results."

In a recent Q&A with The Oregonian, Homeless Services Department Director Nathaniel VerGow shared his perspective on navigating budget constraints, improving system navigation, and building long-term housing solutions for our community.

Read the full story below!

When we invest in our community, real progress happens. Across Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties, Metro’s Supportive Housing Services measure has far exceeded its 10-year goals—housing over 10,400 households and keeping nearly 22,000 neighbors safely in their homes.

That’s over 10,000 success stories made possible because our region worked together to build shelter capacity, offer rent assistance, and secure permanent stability.

Read how dedicated local investment is changing lives across the region in the latest issue of Street Roots

Find a recap and updates from the Homeless Services Department this past June:

📊 Budget Update: Ensuring our constrained resources this fiscal year are used effectively to support our community.

🌉 Provider Conference: Our recent Spring 2026 conference was a fantastic gathering with over 230 dedicated and supportive staff from 62 different providers! Together, we discussed solutions and goals to tackle homelessness this upcoming year.

🧠 New Navigation Team: We’re pleased to introduce a new team dedicated to helping individuals with mental health conditions access the in-home care they need!

☀ ️ Help for When It’s Hot: It’s officially summer and Multnomah County is prepared for possible heat waves. Learn about how we mobilized emergency street outreach to keep our community safe and cool last month.

Read the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/multco/hsd-monthly-july-2026

📣 SHARE: In addition to dozens of libraries, misting stations, community centers and other cool spaces already open in Multnomah County, two cooling centers will open from noon to 9 PM today, Monday, June 15:

📍Multnomah County East Building, 600 NE 8th St, Gresham, operated by Cultivate Initiatives

📍Bud Clark Commons, 650 NW Irving St., Portland, operated by Transition Projects

The cooling centers opening today will provide food and water. Pets are welcome.

TriMet will not turn away anyone who is traveling to and from a cooling center who is unable to pay fare between 11 AM and 10 PM today (Monday, June 15). Please tell your bus operator that you're heading to or from a cooling center.

Four Multnomah County Libraries will stay open until 8 PM tonight, Monday, June 15 — two hours longer than their usual schedule:

✅ Albina Library, 205 NE Russell St, Portland
✅ Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave, Portland
✅ East County Library, 475 NW Division St, Gresham
✅ Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave, Portland

--Resources to stay cool and connected--

🗺️ Interactive Cooling Map (libraries, pools, splash pads, community centers and more) 🔗 link.multco.us/interactive-map-cool-spaces

🍽️ Meals on Wheels People Dining Centers 🔗 mowp.org/what-we-do/dining-centers Always check hours/locations before you go.

📞 Aging, Disability and Resource Connection (ADRC) Helpline (local senior center info & other resources): 503-988-3646

📣 Extreme heat can affect anyone, but knowing who is most at risk — and how to spot the signs — is vital.

🧑‍🧒 Those at high risk include:
▪️Older adults, especially men over 50 who live alone
▪️People without access to air conditioning
▪️People engaging in strenuous or outdoor recreational activities (especially children on turf fields)
▪️Pregnant people
▪️People who work in hot indoor or outdoor environments
▪️People taking certain medications or who have consumed alcohol

⚠️ Watch for signs of heat illness including:
▪️Heavy sweating
▪️Extreme weakness
▪️Dizziness
▪️Nausea, vomiting
▪️Rapid heartbeat
▪️Shallow or rapid breathing

🛑 What to do:
▪️Remove excess clothing
▪️Rest in a cool area
▪️Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath
▪️Drink plenty of fluids

Find heat safety and first aid guides at: multco.us/info/heat-illness-and-first-aid