Portland’s Homelessness Crisis

The number of people sleeping on the streets of Oregon and SW Washington continues to increase.

Between 2020 and 2022, the unsheltered population in Oregon surged by 23%. Current estimates suggest there are 18,000 individuals in Oregon experiencing homelessness right now.

From 2022 to 2023, the number of unhoused persons living unsheltered in Portland increased by 29%, according to the most current “Point in Time Count.”

Our Homelessness Crisis is a Housing Problem

Portland has been in an official “state of emergency” regarding homelessness for the last eight years. The primary source for this crisis is our housing and rental market.

Since 2021, rents have climbed by roughly 40%, quickly outgrowing area income rates and putting stable housing out of reach for many Portland residents.

For individuals living on the edge, this means that a life-shifting moment—job loss, relationship dissolution, unexpected healthcare bill—can become the difference between having a secure home and being forced onto the street.

This issue is further compounded by the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as domestic abuse, lack of affordable health care, and mental health realities. It is also an undeniable fact that homelessness disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, POC, and LGBTQ communities, in addition to Veterans and those living with disabilities.

Do Good is working tirelessly to reverse this reality by standing with and supporting Portland's unhoused neighbors.

east bbq, Houseless Veterans, Do Good Multnomah

Our shelters, permanent housing programs, and direct services offer stability, security, compassion, and an invitation towards community. Many of our team members have lived experiences, which fosters deeper connection and mutual respect between staff and participants. We eat together, clean together, and share stories together.

Bound by empathy, driven to aid.

Our work bridges the social justice gap to build sustainable, self-directed paths that enable our participants to thrive.

man and dog, Houseless Veterans, Do Good Multnomah

Our Partners

We could not do the work we do without the support of the Joint Office of Homeless Services, Multnomah County, Clackamas County, the City of Vancouver, WA, and Oregon Metro. 

We’re proud to collaborate with these and many more partner agencies:

  • Homebuilders Foundation

  • Oregon Housing & Community Services

  • Downtown Portland Business Association

  • The VA and HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing

  • Home Forward

  • Our Streets

  • Multnomah County Health

  • Portsmouth Union Church

  • NABVets

  • A.M.E.N.

  • Fort Kennedy

  • NARA

  • American Legion

  • St Mark’s Lutheran Church

  • Rose City Park Presbyterian Church

  • The Women of Waterside