July 8, 2010

Last year, local non-profit LifeWorks NW launched the Talking Points Series, a forum for community leaders to talk about the many ways mental health and addiction issues touch our community. In December, Oregon Attorney General kicked the series off with a discussion of "Why Treatment Counts."

Today, Nick was proud to be the featured speaker at "Housing for a Healthy Community," the second event in the series. As Housing Commissioner for the City of Portland, Nick is committed to ensuring that everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. With Oregon consistently ranked in the top five nationally in hunger, homelessness, unemployment, and foreclosure, having a home has become an incredible challenge in our community. More than 1,600 people sleep outside each night, and at least one-third of homeless adults struggle with mental illness.

For our most vulnerable community members, a combination of stable housing and the support of mental health and addiction services is essential to recovery. The City relies on partnerships with trusted non-profits to deliver these services. For years, the City has partnered with LifeWorks NW, a leading prevention, mental health, and addiction agency working to support a healthy community. LifeWorks NW has worked with the Housing Authority of Portland to provide after-school services, provides mental health services through its Shelther Plus Care vouchers across the city, and provides supportive services in the City's affordable housing projects, most recently in Shaver Green.

We are proud to work with LifeWorks NW, and proud to be a part of the Talking Points Series.