Government

Homelessness in Gresham

  • Homelessness is a complex, challenging issue and a top priority for the City.  We work closely with local organizations and other government agencies in response to this growing community issue.

    • Local Efforts to Address Homelessness
    • Services and Assistance
    • Council Listening Session
    Local Efforts to Address Homelessness
    City Homeless Services staff

    The City has two staff who serve as point of contact for individuals in need.

    Request services or report a homelessness issue through the My Gresham app. Or, call our team at 503-618-2441.

    Clean Start

    Gresham provides paid, mentored work experience for individuals transitioning out of homelessness through the Central City Concern (CCC) Clean Start program. Read about the Clean Start program.

    Community Volunteer Corps

    Gresham offers mentored volunteer work experiences for homeless individuals currently accessing services to improve their lives through the Central City Concern Community Volunteer Corps program.

    Cleaning up homeless camps

    Clean-ups occur regularly along the Springwater Trail and other areas. More than 300 camps were cleaned in 2018. Report problem camps and illegal dump sites through My Gresham. 

    Ending veteran homelessness

    The City joined A Home for Everyone to place nearly 700 local veterans into permanent housing.

    Proactive law enforcement

    The City's Neighborhood Enforcement Team proactively works with the community to address livability issues.

    Funding for outreach workers in Gresham

    The City's partner JOIN specifically works directly with the homeless, helping them gain stability and return to housing.

    Protecting sensitive natural areas

    In February the City closed a 60-acre parcel along the Springwater Trail, known as Gresham Woods, to all human activity to allow this area to recover from serious environmental damage. Additionally, JOIN outreach workers are providing low-impact camping education to the homeless to prevent further destruction in other areas.

    Gathering better data

    The City assisted with the 2015 Point-in-Time Count. It provides critical data on homelessness for resource allocation and decision making.

    Pass-through funding for local providers

    The City partners with Human Solutions and other social service providers to bring families out of homelessness using federal Community Development Block Grants.

    Support for homeless students

    The Second Home program provides stable housing for Gresham high school youth in partnership with the Gresham-Barlow School District, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and East Metro Mediation.

    Participation with Home Forward 

    Councilor David Widmark and two Gresham residents serve on the board of directors for Home Forward, which advocates for affordable housing where families are being priced out of the community.

    A Home for Everyone strategies and investments

    The City is participating in a countywide effort to reduce homelessness by 50% by the end of 2017. 

    Dozens of strategies have been approved by A Home for Everyone, and $30 million in new investments for 2016-17 are under consideration by Multnomah County and the City of Portland to implement these strategies.
    If fully funded:

    • $10 million will go to constructing affordable housing in Portland.
    • $12.5 million to help place people into housing.
    • $5 million to increase shelter space.
    • $2.5 million to help prevent 1,000 people from entering homelessness.
    Services and Assistance

    A number of services are available countywide for those seeking homeless services and assistance.

    211.org

    Call 2-1-1 for local shelter information or visit 211.org.

    Social Services

    Learn more about local and regional resources for social services. 

    Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET)

    Contact the Gresham Police NET tip line at 503-618-2638 to leave neighborhood tips and information. Callers can remain anonymous or leave contact information for officers to follow-up on.

    Read about NET.

    Second Home

    Helps provide housing for homeless students in the Gresham-Barlow School District.  

    Read about Second Home.

    Human Solutions

    Human Solutions provides homeless and other services to people in the area.

    JOIN

    JOIN is a local homeless outreach organization; supports the efforts of the homeless to transition into permanent housing.

    Council Listening Session

    A Council Listening session in May discussed the issue of homelessness in Gresham. The event included a report from the City on current homeless programs and projects, and an opportunity for community members to provide input.

    Read more about this meeting.

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    • The City has two Homeless Services staff who serve as point of contact for individuals in need. This video tells the story following Community Health Services Advisor Kevin Dahlgren.

      Request services or report a homelessness issue through the My Gresham app. Or, call our team at 503-618-2441.

    • Central City Concern Clean Start, under contract with the City of Gresham, provides paid mentored work experience for individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The Clean Start team cleans up Gresham's trails and open spaces in areas impacted by homelessness.