Efforts to End Homelessness
10-Year Plan to End Homelessness
Nearly 1,400 people experience homelessness on any given night in Washington County.
Homelessness is a community concern with no jurisdictional boundaries and can best be addressed through a 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness and implemented through collaborative partnerships to care for this most vulnerable population. A 10-Year Plan is the cornerstone to developing strategies, programs, and activities that can best assist homeless families and individuals move to housing and self-sufficiency.
Today most American communities plan how to manage homelessness – not how to end it. Ending a complex problem like homelessness requires a commitment from all members of our community – government officials, faith and civic groups, philanthropies, businesses, housing and service providers, and concerned individuals.
On June 3, 2008, the Board of Commissioners approved the 10-Year Plan.
10-Year Plan Documents and Related Information
Washington County 10 Year Plan
- A Road Home: 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Washington County
- Matrix of Goals and Strategies: 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Washington County (Current)
Work Plans
- Year 1 Work Plan as adopted by HSSN July 2, 2008
- Year 2 Work Plan as adopted by HSSN June 3, 2009
- Year 3 Work Plan as adopted by HSSN June 2, 2010
- Year 4 Work Plan as adopted by HSSN June 1, 2011
Media Releases
Annual Homeless Assessment Reports
Homeless Plan Advisory Committee (HPAC)
State of Oregon 10-Year Plan
For more information, please contact Annette Evans.
Events Serving the Homeless and Persons at Risk of Homelessness
Holiday Meals
Many service providers in Washington County offer free hot holiday meals. Please note that information may change without notice. If unsure, please check with the meal providers on the list of Washington County Holiday Meal Sites.
Project Homeless Connect 2012
Through the sponsorship of Washington County, Providence and United Way, with the support of dozens of business and agency partners, Washington County Project Homeless Connect will bring volunteers together to connect homeless with critical services and resources in a single day.
| Date: | Friday, January 27, 2012 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Location: | Sonrise Church 6701 NE Campus Drive Hillsboro, OR 97124 |
For details, please visit the Project Homeless Connect website.
Severe Weather Shelters
When freezing temperatures are predicted for Washington County, Severe Weather Shelters activate.
For details, please refer to the Severe Weather Shelter Activation List.
Please note that while the Department of Housing Services makes its best effort to keep the Severe Weather Shelter Activation up to date, changes in activation may occur without notice.
For the most up-to-date information, you may call 211Info at 2-1-1 or (503) 222-5555.
Severe Weather Shelter (SWS) Response
Severe Weather Shelter Response Plan
Severe Weather Shelter User Guide
Orientation and Training for SWS Response Plan - 10/20/2011
Infection Control Measures
Norovirus Brochure
How to Sanitize
Cleaning up Vomit and Diarrhea
Handwashing
Cover Your Cough
Infectious Waste Disposal
Washington County Mental Health Crisis Team
Oregon Public Health - Flu Information
CDC: Free Flu Resources
CDC: Bedbug Information
CDC: Head Lice Information
Respiratory Poster
Infection Prevention and Control for Shelters During Disasters
List of Infection Prevention and Control Equipment
Programs Serving Homeless Persons
Bridges to Housing Program
As a partner in developing and implementing the bi-state regional Bridges to Housing Program, Washington County has provided local funding and resources to implementing an innovative and holistic approach to the growing and alarming problem of family homelessness. Bridges to Housing offers hope for a better future to the families and their children who are served by the program and will inform local and national policy and practice. Washington County implemented the housing-first program in 2007 in collaboration with Community Action, the lead service provider agency, nonprofit and public housing providers, the Oregon Department of Human Services, Worksystems Inc., and supportive community stakeholders. For more information on the program, visit the Bridges to Housing website.
Homeless to Work
In 2009, Washington County implemented a new Homeless To Work Program that provides transitional housing serving homeless unaccompanied individuals over age 18 years. The program offers short-term housing and employment mentorship with linkage to appropriate supportive services provided by community partners. The Homeless To Work Program is managed by Bridges To Change and administered by the Washington County Department of Housing Services.
For referral of persons to the program, please refer to the Homeless to Work Applicant Referral Process (PDF format).
To verify homelessness for potential applicants to Homeless to Work, please refer to the Homeless to Work Intake - Verification of Homelessness form (PDF format).
Housing and Supportive Services Network (HSSN)
The Housing and Supportive Services Network (HSSN) was developed to plan and implement a Continuum of Care for individuals and families who are homeless or may have special needs. The Network ensures that a Continuum of Care provides integrated and coordinated access to a range of affordable housing and services designed to prevent homelessness and help families and individuals experiencing homelessness to achieve their maximum level of independence and self-sufficiency.
HSSN Documents:
Housing and Supportive Services Network (HSSN) Mission and Organization
HSSN Relationship with Community Partners
Homeless Counts and Information
Washington County Point-in-Time Homeless Counts
Since 2003, HUD has required continuums across our nation to report the number of people who are homeless at a particular time of the year (in the last seven days of January). The annual homeless count facilitates the need for continuums to collect data and report on the number of homeless. The data is used for (1) housing and service planning, (2) demonstrating need, (3) raising public awareness, (4) accurately identifying the needs population, e.g. chronically homeless, and (5) measuring performance in reducing/ending homelessness.
2011 Homeless Count
2010 Homeless Count
2009 Homeless Count
2008 Homeless Count
2007 Homeless Count
2006 Homeless Count
County Data Points
Qualitative Needs Assessment
Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)
What is the AHAR?
The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a report to the U.S. Congress on the extent and nature of homelessness in America. The report is prepared by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provides nationwide estimates of homelessness, including information about the demographic characteristics of homeless persons, service use patterns, and the capacity to house homeless persons. The report is based primarily on Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) data about persons who experience homelessness during a 12-month period.
The reports below represent the data collection by providers of emergency shelter and transitional housing in Washington County, Oregon for clients served between October 1 and September 30.
2011 AHAR | All Persons | Veterans Only
Runaway & Homeless Youth: How to Help
There are many ways that citizens can help support programs for Runaway and Homeless Youth. If you would like to know more, please see the Runaway and Homeless Youth Help Information Sheet.