January 2, 2013

This morning, Charlie Hales was publicly sworn in as Portland’s 52^nd Mayor. 

Mayor Hales begins his administration with three priorities – wisely spending taxpayer dollars, ensuring public safety and a good community relationship with police, and great public education.

Newly-elected Commissioner Steve Novick was sworn in on January 1 at the Multnomah Arts Center.

Rob Manning from OPB caught up with Nick for a quick interview about what the future will hold for City Hall with Mayor Hales and Commissioner Novick.

Swearing-In For Portland's New Mayor, Commissioner Wednesday

Rob Manning on OPB.com

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales takes oath of office

Beth Slovic in The Oregonian

January 3, 2013

Last May, Portland Parks & Recreation expanded the Park Ranger program to patrol 16 of our downtown parks. Rangers replaced private security contractors, and they work in teams year-round to educate park users about rules, and enhance the quality of life in the city.

In addition to keeping our parks safe, Rangers also provide outreach and assistance to people experiencing homelessness in our city.  Park Ranger Katie Gribbon has taken a lead on reaching out to our community’s most vulnerable. Katie has helped create positive relationships with people who may otherwise just see someone with a badge - there to only enforce the law. 

Even before Katie was a Ranger, she was already involved in homeless outreach. She regularly attended Bridgetown, Inc.’s weekly Night Strike, an event that takes place on the west side under the Burnside Bridge to provide hot meals, toiletries, haircuts, and other basic necessities to those experiencing homelessness.

Katie’s presence at the weekly event has allowed her to strengthen new and existing relationships with Night Strike Attendees. Katie says that people experiencing homelessness have difference needs, and they “can’t be lumped together as all needing the same, uniform services.”

Many thanks to Katie and her fellow Rangers for making a positive difference in our community!

January 3, 2013

In today’s Oregonian, Steve Duin shared Veteran Mark Gunderson’s story about his struggles on the street in the cold. Mark has a voucher to help pay rent, but has yet to find an apartment.

The Veterans Administration, together with HUD, provides vouchers for veterans to help pay rent, but many veterans have a difficult time finding an affordable home, or cannot pay move-in costs.

With our community partners, including Home Forward, Multnomah County, and United Way, we offer additional funds to help veterans move in to a new home, pay deposits and other fees, and even create incentives for landlords who rent to veterans.

Voucher Holders have 120 days to find a place to call home before their voucher gets put back in the general pool. Unfortunately, too many of our veterans - like Mark - struggle to find a home.

Mark’s story is a call to arms to work together and find landlords who are willing to rent to homeless veterans.

We ask landlords in our community to join with us, and open your doors to our veterans. Home Forward has created this fact sheet about how you can help.

For more information on the program, and to open your rental home to a veteran, email Home Forward at landlordservices@homeforward.org, or call 503-802-8333, Option 6.

Steve Duin: Mark Gunderson is a veteran of Portland's war on homelessness

Steve Duin in The Oregonian

For Landlords: Help our Vets Find a Home

Information from Home Forward

Leaders ask for rental help for Vets

KGW News

January 3, 2013

Temperatures are dropping, which means people experiencing homelessness in our community are even more vulnerable on the streets.

Thanks to our mission-driven non-profit partners, like JOIN, volunteers are reaching out to those on the streets, offering help, warm blankets, and clothing.

If you or someone you know needs help, or you are able to donate time, money, or warm clothes to those in need, please call 2-1-1 from any landline or (503) 222-5555 to find out more.  You can also visit www.211info.org online.

Special thanks to KGW for covering this important issue.

Temps drop, volunteers seek out homeless

KGW News

January 4, 2013

On Wednesday, January 30, help the Portland Housing Bureau and our partners learn more about who is experiencing homelessness in our community.

PHB is leading a homeless street count, and we need volunteers.  The count helps us better understand homelessness in our community, and the need for services.

PHB is looking for volunteers to help with “One Night Shelter” counts - volunteers gather information about people sleeping in emergency shelters, motels, and transitional homes.  Other volunteers will help with a street count, visiting areas around Multnomah County where people are sleeping outside, without shelter.

Volunteers can also help with data entry following the count.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mary Welch at Mary.Welch@portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-3403. Although not required, organizers encourage those who wish to volunteer attend one of three training sessions being held.

Sign up today to help! Additional information is available on PHB’s website.