Homeless Services Department

Out now: The HSD Monthly newsletter! Catch up on the latest work from the Homeless Services Department. This edition features updates from across our system, including:

📘 The HSD Outreach Manual: The official release of a comprehensive resource establishing systemwide professional standards and a strategic framework for outreach.

📈 Q3 Supportive Housing Services Report Data: A look at our latest quarterly performance data, highlighting where our system is meeting and exceeding annual service targets.

📸 Harrison Community Village: A first look at photos from the recent "sneak peek" of this new community site in Montavilla.

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

Data is essential. Lived experience is foundational. How do we ensure our systems truly meet the needs of those they serve? By keeping community voices at the center of our work.

HSD is proud to announce the release of the first of a two-part "Pathways" study, a collaborative research project with the PSU Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative. Throughout 2025, the research team—including an independent lived experience research committee—surveyed 541 neighbors experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County to better understand their daily challenges and housing goals. By centering these voices, we are better equipped to refine our decision-making and advocate for the permanent housing solutions our community is asking for.

📖 Read more in our April Newsletter or at the link in our bio to access the full report and the PSU press release!

Yesterday, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners appointed Nathaniel VerGow as the new Director of the Homeless Services Department. Nathaniel was selected following a comprehensive, national search and joins us with years of experience leading complex homelessness response systems in Los Angeles. He will officially step into his new role in May, and we are incredibly excited to have his expertise and leadership on the team as we continue our vital work to support our community.

We’re looking forward to this next chapter and are so glad to have Nathaniel leading the way. Welcome to the team—and to the Northwest—Director VerGow! 🌲🏠✨

🏀 March 2026 Newsletter Alert 🏀

From major budget updates to stories of real impact, our latest issue is out now. This month, we’re diving into:

📉 Budget & Funding: The latest on our FY 2027 process and HUD funding updates.

🏠 Shelter News: Our role in the Statewide Shelter Initiative & celebrating service expansion at Bradley Angle

✨ Stories of Impact: A powerful look at resilience through SACOO’s work at the Cesar Apartments.

Check out the full issue to see how we’re navigating the road ahead, together.

🔗 Read more at the link in our bio!

The Harrison Community Village Shelter is expected to open in late spring in your neighborhood. Operated by the nonprofit provider Do Good Multnomah, this site will offer a "clean and sober" model where both participants and staff are required to abstain from any substance use not prescribed by a licensed medical provider. This alternative shelter site will provide 24/7 staffing, private sleeping quarters, and hygiene facilities, alongside dedicated housing case management and abstinence-based recovery services. By combining stable shelter with specialized support, this shelter will provide a vital new pathway for neighbors working toward long-term recovery and housing stability.

Multnomah County Homeless Services Department (HSD) invites you to join us on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., at the Portland Community College Community Hall Annex, 7901 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97206, for updates on the Harrison Community Village Shelter and the Good Neighbor Agreement. Brief presentations will be given by representatives from HSD Community Engagement, Do Good Multnomah, and community partners of the Good Neighbor Agreement. A question and answer session will follow.

To RSVP for the public meeting on Feb. 26th, please visit the Harrison Community Village Shelter webpage at: hsd.multco.us/emergency-shelters/alternative-shelters/1818-se-82nd-ave/

Harrison Community Village — Homeless Services Department Learn how the Homeless Services Department is using data, housing, shelter and outreach to end homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County.

In Multnomah County, we’ve used regional funding to help thousands of people move into permanent homes and to grow our shelter network. As we deal with some tough budget shifts ahead, it’s worth taking a second to look at just how much has been built.

This article shines a light on the 'invisible' wins that have completely modernized the way we show up for people in our community.

Read the article here:

Invisible wins: How $1.4 billion has transformed Portland area homeless services One family’s story shows how the 2020 tax can work as promised, even as the overall homeless count continues climbing across the metro area.

Across the region, local governments are facing significant funding gaps—and Multnomah County is navigating those same headwinds. 📉 This past Tuesday, February 3rd, we updated the Board of Commissioners on the specific challenges facing the Homeless Services Department budget for the next fiscal year. While these hurdles aren't unique to HSD or even our County, we are working hard to be proactive and clear about our budget landscape.

See the data and the full briefing here: https://multnomah.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&event_id=5295&meta_id=186281

Thank you to Sunstone Way Transition Projects, Inc. and Our Just Future for joining HSD earlier this week during our presentation on the Adult Shelter Report. This new report analyzes the cost and effectiveness of adult shelters, and offers a policy recommendation for rebalancing the shelter system to prioritize housing placement out of shelter.

Read the article below:

Few homeless shelter guests end up housed; new report details problems, points to solution To improve outcomes in Multnomah County and Portland shelter systems, report suggests one key tactic.

Jayson, who lives with cerebral palsy, was experiencing homelessness for years. But now, he’s in a stable home with supportive services that are helping him thrive — thanks to a Multnomah County program that provides permanent housing to people who are experiencing chronic homelessness and have an intellectual or developmental disability.

The program is made possible thanks to the Metro Supportive Housing Services measure, passed by voters in 2020. Last year, the measure helped more than 2,000 people leave homelessness for housing in Multnomah County.

Read the full story at: hsd.multco.us/story/jayson

Since opening its doors in late 2024, the Kathleen Saadat Apartments have provided 75 homes with wraparound services to people who recently experienced homelessness.

The apartments are among the 258 permanent supportive housing units that opened in FY 2025 in Multnomah County thanks to the Metro Supportive Housing Services measure. The project is a partnership between Home Forward and Urban League of Portland, which provides on-site, culturally specific services.

For residents Ricky and Amy, the deeply affordable housing combined with wraparound supports are helping them achieve their goals.

Read their stories at: hsd.multco.us/story/ricky-and-amy