Portland can’t wait to fix homelessness

Portlanders have struggled with regional housing affordability for over 10 years and that problem gets worse yearly. Rent is rising faster than people can get their paychecks, especially for low income renters, seniors, disabled individuals, immigrants and many people of color. The biggest cause of homelessness in Portland is the lack of affordable housing, and by increasing supply through zoning reform thousands of new homes will be affordable.

When families are priced out of their homes, they’re forced to move farther from their jobs, schools and support networks. According to the City of Portland, the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness increased by 65% from 2015-2023. 

More recent federal numbers show Oregon overall saw a 13% increase in people experiencing homelessness in the past year alone. Living here, I see this reality every day, more tents along the streets, more people without shelter and fewer real solutions to homelessness. 

Journalist Oscar Ponteri reported that in 2023, 26.8% of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Multnomah County have had substance use disorders, creating the narrative that most homeless people use drugs in a way that creates problems in their lives. 

In reality, higher rates of substance use often come after people lose stable housing having a reaction to the trauma, danger and isolation they experience on the streets.

 Homeless individuals may also have a lack of identification, decreasing their chances of being able to be employed. It’s not laziness, but the system that makes stability almost impossible. While zoning reforms boost overall supply and can lower costs, they often initially favor higher-income renters, requiring complementary policies (like density bonuses) to impact lower-income affordability, but they remain a crucial first step to creating more diverse and accessible housing markets.

 The most effective way to reduce homelessness in Portland is a combination of affordable housing, renter protections, zoning reform and mental health support. 

Portland can’t wait another decade to take action.