To view the e-newsletter in a web browser, click here. | |
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Housing Services E-Newsletter
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A Shout-Out to Our Lifesaving Weather Shelters Providers | |
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This winter season has truly put our shelter and outreach providers to the test. In the last month, Washington County opened its severe weather shelter capacity on three separate occasions, requiring shelter operators Just Compassion and Project Homeless Connect to provide 24/7 shelter staffing for several days at a time.
Last week, the Metro region saw over 10 inches of snow, the most snow we have seen since 1943. While most people were hunkering down and avoiding driving, our outreach providers got their vehicles ready with snow tires and chains and conducted outreach across Washington County to make sure anyone in need of shelter had a way to get there. A huge thank you to our outreach providers: Greater Good Northwest, New Narrative, Open Door HousingWorks, Forest Grove Foundation, Project Homeless Connect, IRCO, HomePlate, and Just Compassion.
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Meanwhile, Project Homeless Connect and Just Compassion readied shelters, serving roughly 100 people the first night. As folks continued to arrive looking for a hot meal and a warm place to sleep, Open Door offered to staff an additional shelter location. This allowed us to make sure no one was turned away and provide shelter to roughly 170 people.
One family was stuck in an RV set to run out of propane by the end of the day on February 24. The Sheriff's Office sprang into action and provided the family with emergency fuel and the Shelter program worked with outreach and shelter providers to find the family shelter. With four kids under the age of 10, the family qualified for long-term family shelter. Their story is just one of many that show the collaboration required, especially during severe weather, to help people get inside.
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Aloha Inn Permanent Supportive Housing Update
The Housing Authority of Washington County purchased the Aloha Quality Inn to convert the property into 54 apartments using a Permanent Supportive Housing model. This project is made possible through voter-approved housing measures including the 2018 Affordable Housing Bond, and 2021 Supportive Housing Services Levy.
New building residents will begin moving into the property next month! In preparation for the move into the Aloha area by our new neighbors, the County held a community meeting via zoom to answer questions and meet the onsite service providers from Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Sequoia, and Bienestar. To view the event, watch its recording here.
Meanwhile, stay tuned for the grand opening event on Thursday, April 20, 2 – 4 pm!
To RSVP, contact Homeless_Services@washingtoncountyor.gov.
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Housing Forum on March 8th: Creating Solutions to Homelessness – What Will it Take? by CPAH Oregon | |
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On Wednesday March 8, 2023, from 6:00-7:30 PM, the Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH), a non-profit community development corporation, will be hosting a housing forum for folks to come together for an evening of community and dialogue as they explore solutions – both what is currently underway and what more is possible. Several panel participants will be present, including the mayor of Beaverton and Metro's housing director. The event is free and open to all! For more information click here.
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Interested in Waitlist Openings?
Keep up to date with the Washington County Department of Housing Services vouchers' waitlist openings by reading our e-newsletter. When the time comes, this where we'll notify people first. Share this link to sign up family, friends and colleagues.
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Local Responses & Solutions to Homelessness Event | |
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Last month our very own Katherine Galian, Program Manager - Homeless Services Division - presented at the Homelessness in Hillsboro event. The Homeless Services System in Washington County has grown significantly in the last two years, and in partnership with the City of Hillsboro, other governmental partners and non-profit service providers, the County operates a continuum of services that provide pathways from homelessness to a stable home.
During the presentation, which provided an overview of the whole system from street outreach to permanent housing, Katherine shared with attendees guiding principles that are foundational to the County's work:
- People experiencing homelessness come from the full range of backgrounds. The one common denominator is that there is no available affordable housing.
- Our labor and housing markets are regional. Our systems are regional. Since homelessness is a systemic problem, it too must also be addressed regionally.
- No one can do it alone; we need strong partnerships and collaborations to work together toward our shared goal of making homelessness rare and brief.
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Housing ends homelessness.
To watch a recording of the event, click here!
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Safe Rest Pods Extension
The Safe Rest Pods at SW 17th Avenue will continue providing community members with a safe to sleep space and wrap-around support services throughout the rainy spring months by staying open through June 2023.
By extending the timeline, the City of Hillsboro, Washington County, and Open Door HousingWorks will continue connecting people to long-term housing and support services. Washington County is also considering new locations for the pods after June 2023 as the City and County move forward to create the future Year-Round Shelter program on the current property.
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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 as our positions list continue to be updated. | |
The Department of Housing Services' mission is to provide a continuum of affordable housing options that promotes community strength. The department offers rental assistance to low-income households through various federally funded programs, creates affordable housing opportunities in the community for low- and moderate-income households through a combination of creative financing and partnerships with public and private entities and administers programs to address homelessness including A Road Home: Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness and the Supportive Housing Services program. | |  |
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