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Housing Services E-Newsletter
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Dear Washington County,
This month is a vital reminder of why we do the work we do, with October 10th commemorating World Homeless Day. It was an honor to be joined by Homeless Solutions Council Chair and Portland Homeless Connect Executive Director Kim Marshall, to share our first proclamation commemorating the day with Washington County’s Board of Commissioners. This day serves as a platform to advocate for improved policies and highlight the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Our department and partners are at the heart of our community’s efforts to alleviate those suffering. And our 2023-24 annual report, which will be released today here, represents our progress to reduce unsheltered homelessness by over 35%.
We know homelessness does not occur in a vacuum; a lack of affordable housing drives this crisis. This is especially true in Washington County which is the state’s most expensive county for renters. Our rental assistance programs play a large role in addressing this crisis. One of the most important housing solutions across the country is called the Housing Choice Voucher program, or Section 8, which supplements the rent of low-income households in the housing of their choosing as long as it meets program guidelines. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program, one that currently helps 2,732 households in Washington County. The vast majority of voucher holders in Washington County are extremely low income and would not be able to afford living here otherwise.
Finally, we have been very focused on preserving existing affordable housing lately. Sometimes we see opportunities for preservation even when we have to make hard choices, like selling 60 of our public housing units in order to create even more affordable homes in our community. As part of the HUD Section 18 framework, recently approved by the Housing Authority Board of Directors, tenants will now get a chance to buy the homes they’ve been renting at a discount, and if they can’t, they’ll receive a voucher that allows them to rent in a place of their choosing. Increasing our affordable housing inventory is key to addressing our regional crisis, so preservation will be a key fixture in our Annual Housing Forum next month.
Best,
Molly Rogers
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Winter is almost here and outreach workers are more crucial than ever | |
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Our region may see cooler weather this winter.
With severe weather on the horizon, it is important we continue to get as many people experiencing homelessness into shelter and housing as possible. To learn more about how our outreach system is working in Washington County, Assistant Director Jes Larson recently spent a day with Amanda Terpening and Chad Giakas, outreach workers from local non-profit Project Homeless Connect (PHC). They packed up in the team outreach vehicle and traveled the streets of Hillsboro and hidden corners of the exurban scape, looking for unsheltered folks to build relationships, provide resources, and connect them to the hope of housing.
“We went from working out of churches and borrowed spaces, to being able to offer a space where people can find showers, food, help, and ultimately housing. It’s life changing,” Amanda shared, reflecting on the past few years of how the work has changed, all because of the voter approved homeless services measure.
Chad is newer to his role with the organization, bringing important lived experience to this work. Chad's firsthand experience of homelessness and struggle with addiction enables him to relate with program participants on a deeper level.
When the outreach team set out for the day, they were prepared with a box of ham and cheese sandwiches, bagged lunches, bottled water, and a short list of people they wanted to connect with throughout the day. They were prepared to offer resources and support to anyone in need as they make their rounds.
To continue reading this story and find out who the team met, check out our first-ever departmental blog post here.
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Russell’s story: Building trust makes all the difference
You might remember Russell from our 2022-23 SHS annual report. Well, this year we’ve got an update for you!
A few years ago, Russell was living at an encampment off one of Washington County’s highways through the harsh winter months and into early spring. During that time, his outreach worker used to stop by to check in, build a relationship, and talk about options, as they had many times before. One day, the time spent building trust with Russell paid off, when he finally said, “I never wanted to go for housing until I saw my friends getting approved for apartments. Then I realized this could be real for me, too.”
And so, Russell took that leap of faith. In 2023, his outreach worker sprang into action and was able to get him a bedroom at the Hillsboro Bridge Shelter, a shelter program used as a “bridge” to long-term housing. While checking in with him in the spring of that year, he was getting used to a way of life that was unfamiliar after experiencing homelessness for so long, “I’m still getting used to not needing to check on my stuff, knowing it is safe inside. I slept outside for the better part of eight years,” he said.
This is where housing case managers such as Netosha Thomas, who works with Open Door HousingWorks, came into the picture. Netosha helps people like Russell, who have gone through the challenges of living unsheltered for so long, to find permanent housing using whatever resources are available. In this case, it was the SHS-funded Regional Long-term Rent Assistance (RLRA) voucher that opened the door to home for Russell.
In February 2024, Russell finally had a home of his own once again. For more on Russell’s story, check out our website here.
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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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Washington County veterans gain newly renovated Veterans & Family Center and additional VASH vouchers in 2024
With Veterans Day just around the corner, we’re excited to share that the Salvation Army Veterans & Family Center opened its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 1, completing a two-year long project consisting of three phases worth more than $5 million in much-needed renovations. Washington County, represented in the photo above with Trenard May (CL) and Jes Larson (R), including community member Dale Thaler ( L) and Kim Haughn of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (CR), contributed $300,000 in SHS funding to this important project.
Before the renovations, the center could only serve up to 50 veterans in mostly congregate rooms. Today, the center is able to serve up to 75 veterans with the majority in their own rooms with private bathrooms, updated plumbing, electrical wiring, air conditioning, seismic upgrades and more. Remaining rooms are dedicated to veterans and their families. The center is now better able to serve those who have served our country, helping veterans overcome obstacles on their way towards permanent housing through intensive case management to provide the tools necessary to become self-sufficient.
Another major development is that our county now has 272 Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers to serve homeless veteran households, an increase of 25 from last year. This is thanks to an additional award from HUD earlier this year.
If you or someone you know is a veteran experiencing homelessness, please enroll 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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Heartwood Common’s very own Danica Thomas receives ‘Steps to Success’ Award
Huge congratulations to Danica who was the sole recipient of the prestigious ‘Steps to Success’ Award at the Housing Oregon Industry Leader awards last month, recognized from across the state by affordable housing developers and partner agencies for her excellence as a resident services coordinator.
Danica works for Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) at Heartwood Commons, a 54-studio apartment complex owned by the county that is funded by a combination of the Regional Affordable Housing Bond and SHS measure. In partnership with Sequoia Mental Health Services Inc., CPAH provides Permanent Supportive Housing at the community,
People in roles like Danica’s are fundamental in bolstering resident stability and fostering a sense of belonging. Her coordination of weekly meals, haircuts, an annual celebration that delighted the residents with a comedy show, and various recreational activities not only enriches the daily lives of our residents but also strengthens the community fabric of Heartwood Commons. We’re glad to have an award-winning staff supporting residents!
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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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