How Did We Get Here?
Homelessness in Portland is a multifaceted crisis rooted in decades of systemic, social, and economic challenges. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, unaffordable healthcare, untreated mental illness, and institutional barriers have all contributed to a worsening situation. From 2015 to 2023, homelessness in Portland rose by 65%, from 1,887 to 6,297 individuals. In early 2025, Multnomah County reported 14,864 unhoused individuals, over 45% of whom are unsheltered.
A 2025 survey found that 35% of Portland voters cited homelessness as the city’s most pressing concern. Despite efforts to increase shelter capacity, including a 32% rise in beds from 2023 to 2024, barriers to access and system failures continue to leave many without safe options.
Why Does it Matter?
Homelessness is not just a housing issue. It is a public health and human rights issue. The emotional, physical, and social toll of living unhoused is profound. In 2023 alone, 456 homeless individuals died in Multnomah County, 282 from overdoses, with fentanyl involved in 89% of those cases. The average age at death was just 46 years.
Beyond the numbers, homelessness strips people of dignity, stability, and identity. It disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, including people with mental illness, survivors of domestic violence, and formerly incarcerated women. The ripple effects touch families, public services, and the economy.