Our Impact

What We’ve Accomplished So Far

As a volunteer led effort that launched in mid-2020, we’ve already influenced the momentum on this issue and achieved significant impacts, including: 

• Successfully pushed for major progress implementing Built for Zero, a system for disciplined action and continuous improvement, to drive effective use of public funds to end unsheltered houselessness (as other U.S. communities have achieved)

• Centered the voices of people experiencing homelessness through Shelter Now’s ongoing insistence on their inclusion in decision-making processes

• Our exciting new development of an independent Lived Experience Leadership Council made up of and led by 100% people with lived or living experience of houselessness to ensure effective regional actions that center the needs and wants of those directly impacted

• Advocated for major budget allocations in Multnomah County for development of alternative shelter options (e.g., WeShine, Beacon Village)

• Supported the establishment of Safe Rest Villages and advocated for more effective community engagement and implementation

• Co-facilitating the emergence of the Alternative Shelter Network, made up of designers, builders, and operators of alternative shelters and related service providers, sharing knowledge and acting to bring more options online

• Raising more than $700,000 through a collaborative federal grant to support five grassroots organizations (Voz, Portland Street Medicine, Agape Village, Rahab’s Sisters and Hygiene for All) providing alternative shelter options and services to people experiencing houselessness 

• Organizing Community Forums of up to 180 people to connect people and learn about models and best practices in responding to the needs of the homeless community 

• Providing critical input and accountability, and helping shape the Shelter to Housing Continuum (S2HC) and Metro SHS Implementation Plan which passed in April and May of 2021 

• Building positive relationships with all City, County, and Metro policy-makers through ongoing meetings and conversations to educate and engage them around alternative shelter 

• Providing key testimony in the 2021-22 budgeting, helping dramatically increase city funding for alternative shelter options, including influencing and helping shape a new city investment targeted at grassroots efforts to expand alternative shelter options 

• Participating on multiple city and county committees related to houselessness, and as such, playing an increasing role in decision-making and implementation of policy and investments 

• Elevating the need for system improvements 

Testimonials for Shelter Now

Dan Ryan, Portland City Councilor:

“I have sincerely valued the voice of this emerging organization be a part of the conversation. Too often, input is limited to governmental leaders and service providers.

“[Shelter Now] cares about results, not contracts. This brings both an approach that is humane and compassionate, along with the perspectives of the larger community.

“[Shelter Now] does not pretend to have a silver bullet that would solve this crisis. Instead, as a responsible advocacy organization, the volunteer members are willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard, over time, with a variety of diverse partners to craft viable options for consideration.

This organization is now and can continue to be a valuable, credible asset to us in this city. At the same time, for such a group to sustain and strengthen its advocacy and other work, it clearly needs some financial assistance to help fund essential supportive services. We and the larger community will all benefit from such help for [Shelter Now].”

NorthWest Pilot Project:

“[Shelter Now] is contributing ideas and perspectives through its advocacy work that have been missing from the conversations about housing and homelessness. They approach the work with acknowledgment of the need for collaboration, the importance of necessary infrastructure, and the necessity to strategically focus on BIPOC and other vulnerable populations. With the housing crises we face, all ideas should be on the table for consideration as solutions.”

Street Roots:

“It is exciting to see how the network has evolved since then, based on the work of volunteers. Because one of the barriers to stability for unhoused people is the opposition of housed neighbors, this effort in building solidarity is extraordinarily important. This network is uplifting compassion of housed neighbors. It also supports their unhoused neighbors, who have a voice in this work. That’s too often not the case in projects, and I’m confident in the commitment to inclusion exhibited by [Shelter Now]. Several Street Roots vendors have participated with this Forum, and we are committed to continuing to provide those pathways.”