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Housing Services E-Newsletter
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Hello Washington County,
Homelessness is a complex issue that rarely fits into headlines, even as steady, life-changing work is happening every day. Recently, The Oregonian published “Invisible Wins: How $1.4 billion has transformed Portland area homeless services,” and its findings are worth considering. Permanent supportive housing, expanded shelter capacity, and integrated services are helping thousands of Washington County residents move from crisis to stability every year thanks to the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) measure. These programs may not always make the news, but they represent real change for families who once faced chronic homelessness. We’ve seen what progress looks like when we invest in people and communities.
Still, challenges remain close to home. Across the state, eviction filings reached a five-year high in January with almost 500 cases in Washington County alone. Families, including single parents with children, are facing displacement despite limited assistance. Last month, the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved additional funding through SHS to meet the growing demand for emergency housing assistance. These challenges are not experienced equally, and they echo long-standing patterns of who has faced the greatest barriers to stable housing.
In honor of Black History Month, let’s reflect on the challenges faced by the Black, African and African-American members of our community who have been denied housing or have faced higher rates of eviction here in Oregon. By reflecting on the past, we can work together toward a future rooted in care and connection. That future looks like new supportive housing underway in Forest Grove, our recently announced role as a regional shelter coordinator by the State, and the everyday acts of outreach workers like Amanda (read to the end for our featured blog post). Together, these efforts remind us that progress happens when we show up for one another.
Best,
Molly
| | Housing Opportunity Day: Taking action at the capitol | | |
Earlier this month, Washington County’s housing services staff joined advocates from across Oregon for Housing Opportunity Day, an annual event sponsored by the Oregon Housing Alliance and Community Alliance of Tenants. The goal? Connect affordable housing providers, tenant groups, and community members with state legislators to push for safe, stable, and affordable housing for every Oregonian. Our team met with more than ten legislators or their staff to talk about key priorities like eviction prevention, emergency rent assistance, tenant privacy, and support for affordable housing preservation.
“It was great to visit the Capitol for the first time in the company of so many passionate housers from across the state,” shared Em Nichols, the county’s Public Housing Authority Policy Coordinator. “The legislators were welcoming and especially receptive to affordable housing preservation.” Em’s experience really captures the spirit of the day: building relationships and making our voices heard.
One of the biggest topics this year was a proposed $100 million investment in Affordable Housing Preservation under HB 4036 which is critical to Washington County as hundreds of affordable housing properties' affordability covenants will expire in the coming years. Preserving existing affordable housing prevents displacement of our most vulnerable low-income residents and is more cost-effective than building new apartments. Washington County’s own Woodspring Apartments project is a great example with 172 senior units saved from the affordability cliff through local action. You can read more about why preservation matters in this testimony.
Want To learn more or get involved check out Housing Opportunity Day details here.
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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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Forest Grove Permanent Supportive Housing project launches
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Forest Grove Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) project, our 13th development funded by the Metro Affordable Housing Bond. Washington County has already surpassed our original regional bond goal of 814 homes, contributing more than 1,000 affordable homes across the county.
This new community will provide deeply affordable homes with on-site services for people who have previously experienced chronic homelessness. The project stands out with its integration of housing and behavioral healthcare, supported by a $3 million investment from CareOregon and a culturally specific partnership with Centro Cultural who will provide resident services. These project partners participated in Oregon Housing Community Services Permanent Supportive Housing Institute where we learned best practices to shape the future PSH program.
By combining affordable housing with healthcare access and culturally responsive services, Forest Grove PSH sets a new standard for supportive housing. We’re proud to work with partners who share our vision for equity and inclusion.
Learn more about the project here and explore our regional bond progress here.
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Join the conversation on housing in our community!
We accept applications from county residents with diverse backgrounds for advisory body membership on a rolling basis, including the Housing Authority Board of Directors, Housing Advisory Committee, and the Homeless Solutions Advisory Council. Your voice helps us shape policies and programs that impact housing and homeless services. Apply today!
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Washington County named Regional Shelter Coordinator
Big news for Washington County! Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has selected our county as a regional coordinator for shelter services. This means we’ll continue to play a key role in guiding shelter strategies, managing funding, and supporting shelter providers across the county.
Washington County has built a reputation for trusted oversight and innovative shelter solutions, from scaling up shelter to operate year-round, to partnering with local cities and service providers to develop purpose-built shelters, to exploring strategic temporary locations with moveable pod shelters, we’ve shown what effective shelter management looks like. Now, as a regional coordinator, we’ll help sustain and strengthen our shelter system with funding from OHCS.
We see this new role as more than a title; it is a commitment. We’re doubling down on collaboration, quality, and accountability to make sure every dollar and every bed counts as we maintain over 400 shelter-beds county-wide. We thank our partners for continuing to trust us in this role.
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Amanda’s story: Street outreach - The frontline of homeless services
Amanda’s day starts before sunrise. She loads her car with snacks, water, and hygiene kits, ready to meet people where they are. As Outreach Manager for Project Homeless Connect in Hillsboro, she and her teammate Andrea spend their mornings bringing comfort and hope to those living outside.
One encounter stands out: a couple searching for a motel voucher. The man is recovering from severe back pain, and the woman beside him is exhausted. Amanda doesn’t rush. She listens, offers options, and helps them find a safe place to rest while waiting for shelter space. These quiet acts of care are the foundation of her work.
At a nearby park, Amanda and Andrea sit with a man and his dog. He worries about running out of medication and not having access to primary care. They listen, reassure, and connect him to resources. These moments aren’t transactions; they’re relationships that open doors to housing, health care, and stability.
Amanda knows this journey firsthand. She has lived through homelessness, addiction, and incarceration. Today, she uses her experience to inspire others and prove that change is possible. Want to see how her story unfolds and what it means for the future of homeless services? Read the full story here, courtesy of Metro.
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Department of Housing Services
WE ARE HIRING!
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.
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The Department of Housing Services creates pathways out of homelessness, promotes housing stability, and invests in affordable communities for Washington County and our residents. | |  | | | | |
