"Out of the Streets of Portland" highlights the stories of our current and formerly houseless neighbors and explains the systems and services funded by Multnomah County's Joint Office of Homeless Services in our community that help thousands of people a year leave the streets for shelter beds and homes of their own.

Out of the Streets of Portland
Claim This Podcastby Joint Office of Homeless Services | Comms Team
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"Out of the Streets of Portland" highlights the stories of our current and formerly houseless neighbors and explains the systems and services funded by Multnomah County's Joint Office of Homeless Services in our community that help thousands of people a year leave the streets for shelter beds and homes of their own.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/9/2022
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Recent Episodes

May 13, 2025
Terry's Story: "I really didn't think I'd make it"
<p dir="ltr">In this episode of the podcast "Out of the Streets of Portland”, we hear the story of Terry and Tiffany, a couple that lost their housing right at the beginning of the pandemic, and was faced with a medical emergency soon after that, when Tiffany contracted bacterial meningitis. She lost her ability to hear, and to walk more than a few steps without assistance. Terry became her full-time caregiver, while the couple lived in their van on the streets of Portland.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The podcast also discusses the support and resources provided by the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) and the voter-passed Supportive Housing Services Measure, which has helped the couple find stable housing. It highlights the challenges the couple faced, the resources they utilized, and the support they received from local organizations and the Joint Office of Homeless Services. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Terry and Tiffany’s experience highlights the importance of existing resources and community support in transitioning from homelessness. "Pretty much Pat [Peace Lunch - located at Multnomah County Friends Meetinghouse in SE Portland] fed us every day for lunch," Terry said, emphasizing the role of local support in their survival. "That's where we would go. We lost our storage with 90% of our stuff in it. I really didn’t think I’d make it. I thought she [Tiffany]’d be in a nursing home and I’d be on the street."</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Terry also mentioned the challenges of navigating the system: "You gotta sign up and it's a place for you to go, but you just gotta jump through their hoops. You can't, you know, you gotta follow their rules." Despite these hurdles, the couple managed to find temporary shelter and eventually permanent housing with the help of organizations like TPI and Central City Concern.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Finally, Terry expressed gratitude for the programs that made their transition possible: "Once you're in the the couples shelter, that's the next step, and it's like, it's all in one. You stay there and then they're at the hotel and then they find you housing once you're at the hotel, that’s when that process starts." This underscores the structured and supportive nature of these programs in helping individuals and couples find stability.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Terry and Tiffany faced multiple challenges, including a medical emergency and the loss of their home, which strained their relationship and physical well-being. "It was so hard. She had bacterial meningitis, COVID, and then she had COVID again after she got out of the hospital," Terry recounted. "I mean, it's scary. It really is."</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">He emphasized the need for ongoing support and resources to help individuals maintain their mental health and relationships: "They set us up for doctor's appointments, all sorts of stuff. It was nice," Terry added. "The resources are out there. You just gotta apply. You gotta jump to their little hoops and you gotta follow through."</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the challenges, Terry’s persistence and the support of friends and local organizations played a crucial role in their eventual success. "We were there [at the motel shelter] for 3 months and then we got hooked up with Home Forward and now we're here, in our own apartment", Terry said. "It's a godsend, it really is."</p> <p dir="ltr">Key takeaways:</p> <p dir="ltr">- Terry and Tiffany faced homelessness due to a medical emergency, which is extremely common - 70% of people experiencing homelessness in our area have a disability or other health issues.</p> <p dir="ltr">- The couple struggled to find safe parking spots for their van, dealing with issues of security and the challenge of finding safety on the streets.</p> <p dir="ltr">- Local resources, such as food assistance and specific shelters for couples, were crucial in helping Terry and Tiffany navigate their situation.</p> <p dir="ltr">- The Supportive Housing Services Measure, a 10-year program passed by Metro voters in 2020, has been instrumental in providing housing and support to chronically homeless households.</p> <p dir="ltr">- The process of securing housing often involves multiple steps, including temporary shelters and hotel stays, before finding permanent supportive housing.</p> <p dir="ltr">- Support from friends and family, while sometimes limited, can be a critical factor in overcoming homelessness.</p> <p dir="ltr">- The importance of following through with plans and utilizing available resources is key to changing one's life.</p> <p> </p>

April 18, 2025
Overview of the New Homeless Services Data Dashboard
Lori Kelly, planning and evaluation manager, explains the new data dashboard by the Joint Office of Homeless Services in Multnomah County, which provides a comprehensive view of homelessness and enhances transparency.

March 24, 2025
"Having an advocate makes all the difference": Benita's Story
<p><strong><span style= "font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The</span></strong> "Out of the Streets of Portland" podcast, produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, focuses on sharing the stories of individuals who are currently or formerly homeless and the services provided to help them move into housing. This episode features Dustin, a housing specialist from the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA), and Benita, a resident of the Francis and Claire Apartment building, who shares her journey from homelessness to permanent supportive housing.</p> <p><strong><span style= "font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This</span></strong> podcast episode highlights the work of NARA in providing outreach and housing services to people experiencing homelessness, particularly focusing on the story of Benita, who navigated the challenges of homelessness and eventually secured a home with the help of NARA and Dustin.</p> <p>Dustin, a housing specialist with the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA), shared his journey from being a BIPOC CHAT team member to a housing case manager. "My primary job was to assess individuals who came in looking for housing needs and then help them with document readiness and get prepared for housing," he said. His role evolved to include more case management, where he used his personal experiences to connect with clients. "I have experienced a lot of what they are experiencing, you know, all of our individual experiences of course are gonna be different," Dustin explained, highlighting the importance of empathy and personal connection in his work.</p> <p>Benita, a newly-housed resident of the Francis and Claire Apartment building, echoed the significance of having an advocate who could relate to her struggles. "Once I got connected to them, it was, he was just on it for me. He's just been the best advocate I've ever had for helping with situations that are really this severe," she said, referring to Dustin. Benita's journey from homelessness to permanent housing was marked by personal challenges, including a history of domestic violence and mental health issues. "Every time I needed something, he was right there. He would always take my phone calls, so he made it really easy for me to be homeless, you might say, and be in that situation," she added, emphasizing the impact of having a supportive and understanding advocate.</p> <p>Dustin, a housing specialist with NARA, pointed out that the assumption that homelessness is primarily driven by addiction is often misguided. "Probably 60% of the people that come to our offices looking for help are not experiencing drug addiction, and they’re experiencing abuse of some other sort. They’re experiencing financial hardship," he said. Benita's story is a poignant example of this complexity. "I ended up going into the hospital with a mental breakdown from all of the stress from [the racism and harassment she experienced at her apartment complex], and then after getting out of the hospital, that's what got me into getting hooked up with NARA," she explained, detailing the series of events that led to her homelessness, including racial profiling and domestic violence.</p> <p>Culturally responsive services can significantly enhance the effectiveness of support for marginalized communities. The Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA) was founded to provide a safe and culturally relevant space for Native Americans seeking help with substance abuse and other issues. "It started as a treatment center, when Buzz Nelson and some of his close friends decided that there needed to be a place for Native Americans to go to be able to heal from the disease of alcoholism, because at the time, Alcoholics Anonymous in Portland was pretty racist and they weren't really too happy to see Natives coming into their white spaces trying to heal and recover," Dustin explained.</p> <p>NARA's approach to holistic care, which includes medical, dental, and mental health services, is rooted in Native American spirituality and values. "We really try to just treat the whole individual, as far as coming across people who are experiencing addiction and homelessness, I can honestly say that I was surprised myself about how many people come through the doors looking for services for while they're homeless, who are not affected by substance use disorder," he added. Benita, who has Chickasaw Indian heritage, found this culturally responsive approach to be a significant factor in her recovery. "I think a lot of agencies are just so overwhelming. If you get in and get to a good advocate, you're lucky," she said, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive and personalized support in helping individuals like her navigate their way out of homelessness.</p> <p><strong>Some of the insights surfaced through this interview:</strong></p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->Homelessness is a multifaceted issue, with only 40% of individuals seeking services at NARA experiencing active addiction.</p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->Many individuals facing homelessness are dealing with severe health issues, domestic violence, financial hardship, and discrimination.</p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->There is a significant gap between the perception of homelessness (often linked to drug addiction) and the reality (many individuals are not drug users and face other complex issues).</p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->The process of getting into housing can be long and challenging, with construction delays and other factors causing delays.</p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->Empathy and support from advocates and service providers are crucial in helping individuals navigate the complex system of services.</p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->The Francis and Claire Apartment building, run by Catholic Charities of Oregon, provides 61 units of affordable, permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness.</p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]-->NARA offers a range of services, including housing, medical care, mental health support, and addiction recovery, with a focus on Native American spirituality and values.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
21 total episodes available with 12 transcripts
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- What is Out of the Streets of Portland?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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