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Housing Services E-Newsletter
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Dear Washington County,
As we reflect on the past year, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible efforts of our dedicated Housing Services staff and our service provider partners.
This has been a year of meaningful accomplishments in our shared mission to combat homelessness and expand affordable housing opportunities. Thanks to our unwavering commitment, we have made significant strides in addressing the critical needs of those we serve. Together we’ve helped countless individuals and families secure stable housing, access vital resources, and rebuild their lives with dignity and support.
I am deeply grateful for the hard work, collaboration, and compassion that each team member and organizational partner has shown throughout this year. Their collective efforts not only help change lives, but they also strengthen the very fabric of our community. Whether it’s expanding homeless services, offering more vouchers, securing two new access centers, opening a pod village, converting former motels into shelter, creating new shelter, or building affordable housing for seniors, families and farmworkers, their dedication and service are a testament to the power of our mission.
Looking ahead, we remain laser focused on the work still to be done. The coming year promises new opportunities with more affordable housing properties coming online, the opening of our first purpose-build access center, the opening of more shelter beds, and continued collaboration with our health system partners. While there may be challenges, I am confident we will continue to make progress in creating a more equitable and supportive environment for all.
I want to extend my deepest thanks to all of you for your tireless work in addressing one of our community’s greatest needs. Wishing you a restful and joyous holiday season.
Happy holidays,
Molly Rogers
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County approves funding for a new access center and two transitional housing sites | |
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With Supportive Housing Services (SHS) resources, Washington County is proud to fund development of a new access center located in Cornelius and two transitional housing sites in Hillsboro and unincorporated Washington County. The transitional housing investments represent a new body of work that is responsive to the needs of our homeless services system, providing on-site care for people that need additional support before transitioning to permanent housing.
These awards represent $42.3 million in one-time resources, adding 119 units of transitional housing and another 24/7 access center to the Washington County system of care.
“One-time investments in access centers and transitional housing paired with ongoing funding for onsite services are only possible through the 2020 Supportive Housing Services measure,” shared Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington. She continued, saying that these future housing and access points will make a huge difference in our community, “We simply cannot lose momentum on needed solutions for our homeless services system of care.”
The Oregon Health Authority has allocated $2.5 million to support housing people with behavioral health needs. This allocation represents a key partnership between the departments of Housing Services and Health & Human Services. Most of the project’s one-time investment comes from the SHS measure.
The county’s award of these funds is contingent on Metro’s council referral of a potential SHS revenue reduction measure that could impact the county’s ability to support ongoing operations.
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Interested in waitlist openings?
Keep up to date with the department's affordable housing and vouchers' waitlist openings by easily creating a profile on our portal to receive notifications. You can also check out our dedicated waitlists' webpage that includes non-county operated properties. Share with family, friends, and colleagues.
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Solutions Council member discusses mental health and housing integration
Christina Matousek joined the Homeless Solutions Advisory Council (Solutions Council) in January 2024. As the co-executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Washington County, she and her phenomenal team work to meet the needs of individuals and families struggling with mental health challenges at their day center in Aloha by offering 20+ support groups, meeting in person and virtually with participants, and advocating for coordination with other systems of care like the housing system.
In her work leading NAMI Washington County, Christina has seen firsthand how the county’s homeless services system is serving people with mental health needs. While Christina has countless impactful stories to share, one that stood out is her experience working with “Jessica.”
Jessica connected with NAMI two years ago when she was unsheltered and dealing with substance abuse. She had a lightbulb moment and put herself through Hooper Detoxification Stabilization Center. After detox, Jessica stayed at a pod shelter in Washington County before getting a housing voucher and moving into long-term housing.
Today, she is still housed and works at NAMI as a resource coordinator and provides janitorial services. After Christina and Jessica attended a Washington County public listening session this summer, Christina shared, “I saw ‘Jessica’ sitting with the Washington County housing director [Molly Rogers]. She has come so far because now she sits at the table where decisions are made.”
For more stories like this and a longer version of this story, check out the 2023-24 SHS annual report.
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Do you have a story to share?
Do you know of someone who may want to share their housing story with us? Or perhaps you work in housing and want to inform others of a specific experience? We want to hear from you and share positive impactful stories with our community.
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Advisory leaders gather to reflect, celebrate, and plan ahead
This year, Washington County’s Department of Housing Services revamped its annual luncheon by bringing together the county’s varied housing advisory bodies. The Housing Advisory Committee and Resident Advisory Board were joined in a celebratory event by the newly formed Homeless Solutions Advisory Council.
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Held on December 16, almost 30 community volunteers broke bread with each other as department staff thanked the committees for their dedication in advancing our shared mission and values. Housing leadership, including its advisory bodies’ chairs, gave their remarks on 2024’s major accomplishments and the county’s progress in addressing homelessness and affordable housing.
Without the valuable input and vital perspective of our residents, community leaders, and other partners, the county could not achieve the progress we’ve celebrated this year. Their time and effort volunteering for our community is deeply appreciated. As we prepare for hard conversations in 2025, we’re grateful for the expertise, compassion, and brilliance our advisory body members bring to our shared work.
For more on our department’s boards and committees, visit our website today.
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Amanda’s story: From addiction and homelessness to helping heal and house others
With some help, people experiencing homelessness and addiction are able to overcome the difficult challenges they face. This has been shown time and time again throughout our county thanks to the efforts of the departments of Housing Services and Health and Human Services, including partner non-profit providers. Many people with these lived experiences, like Amanda Briggs, move on to not only thrive in our community, but utilize their experience to help others.
Currently a lead case manager with non-profit Family Promise of Greater Washington County, Amanda works tirelessly to help people living unsheltered get the resources they need to move forward. Starting off as an intern, she worked her way up while focusing on eviction prevention, housing stabilization and attaining shelter for her clients. An average workday may consist of in-person or virtual visits with clients, goal settings, basic crisis intervention with bills, and lots of trainings.
Amanda has always put the well-being of her clients first. As someone who has experienced both homelessness and addiction, she knows firsthand how important consistency is for people to rebuild their lives. Amanda’s work is the key to our collective success.
For more on Amanda’s story, check out our website here.
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A spectrum of jobs in housing are available from entry level to upper management with a competitive benefits package and a dynamic hardworking environment. Click here to view available positions and check back often as our positions' list continue to be updated. | | |
The Department of Housing Services creates pathways out of homelessness, promotes housing stability, and invests in affordable communities for Washington County and our residents. | |  |
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