Oregon is first in the nation for rate of unsheltered homeless families
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Among the grim statistics in a recent housing report released by the state, one stuck out: Oregon ranks first in the nation for unsheltered homelessness among families with children.
Why it matters: While the statistics are striking, homeless advocates say they are likely a vast underestimate of a problem that can be difficult to quantify.
By the numbers: Oregon's rate of unsheltered homelessness among children is 19.9 for every 10,000 kids, according to the report, which relied on point-in-time survey data, a census count conducted on one night.
- The second-ranked state, Hawaii, had a rate less than half that of Oregon, with 7.2 of every 10,000 kids experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
- The national average was just 1.4.
Yes, but: Brandi Tuck, executive director of the nonprofit Path Home, has been working with homeless families for nearly two decades and says those numbers are likely deceptive undercounts.
- Homeless families are what Tuck called the "invisible homeless," often hiding their status to protect their children, avoid the stigma of homelessness and maintain employment.
Friction point: Tuck noted that the 2023 point-in-time survey found 6,300 people experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County.
- But statistics from the Department of Education show nearly 3,500 students in the county experiencing homelessness.
- Imagining that each of those students has at least one parent — and possibly younger siblings not yet in school — shows the gravity of the undercount, Tuck said.
State of play: Scott Kerman, executive director of the Old Town nonprofit Blanchet House, said single mothers — who are often fleeing domestic violence or other trauma — face special challenges because the city has no women-only emergency shelters that offer day-of accommodations.
- "When a family shows up and says we have no place to sleep, it's devastating to not have answers for them because the answers don't exist," Kerman told Axios.
Threat level: Tuck said the trauma of being homeless for children has lasting development and health impacts that could lead to housing insecurity later in their own lives.
- "They're the pipeline of inflow into the homeless system for decades to come," Tuck said.
What they're saying: Roxy Mayer, a spokeswoman for Gov. Tina Kotek, told OPB the report "describes a stark reality."
- "After decades of underbuilding, Oregonians face a housing affordability crisis that worsens homelessness and financially burdens too many Oregon families," Mayer said.
The big picture: Tuck said the top priority should be to get as many families off the streets and into housing as soon as possible, but these families need services — case workers, rent assistance and child care — to maintain stability.
- "You can't just put people in housing and expect them to be resilient or figure it out themselves," Tuck said. "People need support."
- Julia Comnes, a spokeswoman for Multnomah County, said the county funds a number of programs specifically aimed at preventing family homelessness, including eviction prevention, family shelters with private rooms and permanent supportive housing programs.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Oregon ranks first in unsheltered homelessness among families with children (not first in homeless families).