Ecopol Project - Portland State University

Security That Prioritizes Community

2026-06-12T11:51:49.269-07:00

Are you a Portland business that has supportive ties to the neighborhood? What if I were to tell you that you can protect your assets while offering a service to the public at the same time? Well, look no further. Echelon Security Inc. is the partner you are looking for.

Our houseless population is very much part of our society, and everyone in it deserves a humble and respectful interaction. Echelon does just that; they have a major relationship to the vulnerable individuals around in Portland. They get to know them by name, and for a good reason.

Echelon delivers an unparalleled experience in preparation for the necessary duties, offering an understanding and reasonable strategy for our local area, and making respectful de-escalation practice a standard. Echelon brings back humanity to compassionate methods for those on the street, simply surviving. They employ a boots-on-the-ground tactic, establishing relationships and helping those struggling transition to programs that address their requirements: food, clothing, shelter, resources, assistance programs, and any other aspect they require help with. They facilitate connections to support systems that will help them obtain what is necessary, all the way up to getting back into housing and the workforce to repair their lives.

They go above and beyond the standard expectation of safety services, and one step further, they rewrite the book on what it means to ensure protection for their fellow citizens. Echelon proudly displays how it is not just a win for the clients, but the public, the security firm, and anyone they interact with. For them, the job isn't done until their neighbors are served. If you need to entrust a protective service company that will provide an unparalleled experience and community standards that lift people up, click here for more information

WALK WITH A PORTLAND SECURITY GUARD: DOWNTOWN POV

They’ve Got the Power!

2026-06-12T11:50:56.130-07:00

In a houseless community, one of the biggest and most prominent concerns is not what you may think. Imagine not only hitting a point where you are unable to financially hold yourself, but also being unable to communicate to anyone: cannot get a hold of loved ones, cannot receive phone calls, texts, or emails on work opportunities, assistance programs, or medical evaluations. This is the new concern with our generation in a technology boom, everything going digital, and no means to keep a phone simply charged for such avenues that can potentially turn your life around.

This is the reality surrounding most of the houseless community. Stuck in an ocean without a life preserver, in today’s day and age, digital communication is of utmost importance. So what can we do to offset this growing concern? Luckily, there are a couple of resources that will help with this and our community, while we wait for more permanent solutions.

Meet the Power Bank Project. They can accept donations and help the Portland Metro area stay connected during difficult times. They take donations to purchase power banks that then get distributed to the area. The power banks they supply are specific to iPhone or Android models, as they have a fixed cable attached to them.

Secondly, enter Pear Mentor. Pear Mentor is a location on 6th Avenue in Portland, Oregon. They take a large variety of things for those needing assistance, such as clothing, gift cards, toiletries, and in the large list, are also power banks to stay connected. This place will take donations in the physical form, and they have an approved list of items to donate that is a bit more exhaustive.

Looking to help your community? Below are the links for the mentioned groups.

For information on the Power Bank Project, click here.

For information on Pear Mentor, click here.

Your very livelihood depends on it!

2026-06-10T19:23:08.231-07:00

When You Don't Have an ID, You Don't Exist

2026-06-09T00:40:27.471-07:00

Most of us carry an ID every day without really thinking about it. It is just something in our wallet that we rarely question. But for people experiencing homelessness, losing an ID can create serious problems that most of us never have to deal with.

A photo ID is needed for many basic things in life. It is required to apply for jobs, open a back account, get housing, accessing healthcare and support services, and even using some food pantries. In some cases, it is also needed to buy certain over-the-counter medicines when some is sick and just trying to take care of their health. Without an ID, even basic needs and opportunities become harder to access. For example, someone might finally get a job interview, but can not finish the hiring process because they don't have identification.

The problem is that people experiencing homelessness are more likely to lose their ID. When someone is moving around often, carrying all their belongings, or dealing with unsafe situations, important documents can easily get lost, stolen, or damaged. Even if they try to replace it, it is not easy. It can cost money, take time, and require other documents they may not have like SSN, address, etc. This makes it hard to start over.

Another issue is that many systems assume everyone already has an ID and stable housing.When someone doesn't, it can feel like they are being left out or ignored by the system just because they are HOMELESS. It is not just a card, it is something that affects access to opportunities and basic support.

The next time you use your ID, think about how much it allows you to do without you even noticing. For someone experiencing homelessness, not having one can mean missing out on work, housing, food, healthcare, and even simple things like medicine. Something so small can have a big impact on someone's life.

Resources that can be helpful: the barriers people face when getting identification.

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-105435

https://homelesslaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Photo-ID-Barriers-Faced-by-Homeless-Persons-2004.pdf

The Simplicity of a Free Ride

2026-06-08T17:16:36.511-07:00

Getting from point A to point B is made simply by one thing. The fact that we all have a reliable mode of transportation. I know I would be lost without my car; how does a bus schedule even work, where do we even pay? I don’t even know where the closest bus stop to my house is. We are all much closer to being without a car than we think. Either we forget the car payment and get it repoed, or we get in an accident or need to perform an expensive repair. Not only does not having a car cut into our social lives but it makes it harder for us to go to work, doctors’ appointments, and just important things we have to do in a day. Losing the ability to get around in a timely manner is tuff.

One of the first questions a job asks is, “do you have a reliable form of transportation”. Relying on someone else to get you around is never reliable, you can miss the bus, or it could be late, there might be a surcharge on the ride share apps making it unreasonable to book a ride. What I am proposing is to have companies or some sort of public funding for people who make minimum wage or less to have a free bus fare or ride share plan in play. I know cities already have a type of discounted faire on buses but sometimes it takes people hours just to take a bus from point A to point B. That is where the ride share comes in. companies should budget for a van to pick up all their carless employees to make sure they get to their shift at a timely manner.

We have made it almost impossible to get around these cities without a car. With freeways, and unkept sidewalks getting in the way from walking or biking. This has made having a car less of a luxury and more of a necessity. There should be some kind of car insurance discount, and maintenance reimbursement for people who are under a certain tax bracket. A reliable form of transportation is the lifeline to a successful career and a steady flow of income. I have attached 2 websites that may help someone with their car issues.

https://freecharitycars.org/

https://www.portland.gov/transportation/wallet/access-all

A Dead Phone Can Change Your Entire Day

2026-06-06T13:30:12.541-07:00

Most of us don’t think twice about plugging in our phones before bed. But if you don’t have a stable place to live, keeping a phone charged can become a daily challenge.

When people talk about homelessness, conversations often focus on housing, food, or healthcare. Those things absolutely matter but one issue that gets overlooked is access to something as simple as a charged phone. Today, phones are how we apply for jobs, hear back from employers, check email, access resources, navigate transportation, and stay connected to family and friends. When your phone dies, all of that can disappear in an instant.

While working on our capstone project, I started thinking about how many opportunities can be missed because of a dead battery. A job interview call goes unanswered. An appointment reminder never gets seen. A housing contact can’t get through. These may seem like small inconveniences to most people, but they can have a real impact on someone’s ability to move forward.

What struck me most is how easy this problem is to overlook. Most of us carry portable chargers, have outlets in our homes, or can charge our phones in our cars. For someone experiencing homelessness, finding a safe and reliable place to charge a phone isn’t always guaranteed. Libraries, shelters, and community spaces help, but access can be limited depending on the time of day or available resources.

It’s easy to assume that a phone is a luxury, but for many people it’s one of the most important tools they have. Staying connected can mean staying employed, accessing services, or simply maintaining relationships with people who care about you.

The next time you plug in your phone without thinking about it, consider what it would be like if you couldn’t. Small barriers can create much bigger challenges than we realize. If we’re serious about helping people access opportunities and resources, we should pay attention to the everyday obstacles that stand in the way.

Want to learn more about homelessness and technology access? Click here:
https://www.nationalhomeless.org

Losing Your Smile

2026-06-05T22:04:51.866-07:00

It’s easy to take teeth for granted. Every day we chomp through 3 or more meals, consisting of food stuff of various consistency, without ever thinking about if we’re able to. Even those of us who don’t go to the dentist regularly probably wouldn’t hesitate to bite into an apple, a tough piece of jerky, or drink a sugary, carbonated beverage, secure in the knowledge that any problems can be fixed with a quick (albeit potentially costly) trip to the dentist. But what if you didn’t have that fallback? What if the teeth you have now are all you’re going to be able to use for the foreseeable future. And what if something as simple as brushing your teeth was beyond your reach to regularly perform? You might begin to think more carefully about the food you consumed, the things you choose to chew on… and of course you can only do so much.

A significantly high percentage of the unhoused suffer chronic dental problems, exacerbated by a lack of easily available dental care. In a survey, it was found that more than 75% of the surveyed unhoused individuals were suffering from some kind of dental issue, and more than 25% had attempted at some point to remove their own teeth rather than seek medical treatment. That sounds dramatic, but anyone who has experienced chronic tooth pain will tell you it’s not. Anyone waiting on a root canal or filling will tell you of the hell that is waiting for your appointment, but for many unhoused there is no waiting: it is simply a pain they will have to carry with them. When you visualize chronic tooth pain stretching from days to weeks to months, suddenly taking dental matters into your own hands doesn’t seem so sensational of a concept.

On the sadder side of things, nearly 90% of the survey’s participants admitted to feeling self-conscious about their teeth. Imagine having your smile stolen from you, feeling like you have to keep yourself tight lipped at all times, lest someone see what has happened to the inside of your mouth. It sounds hallmark, but there really is something to be said about a dentist’s ability to return someone’s smile to them.

When we talk about what medical services should be provided to the unhoused, dental care is often one of the less discussed fields. We use our teeth for so many little things throughout the day, restoring their dependability is as important as any other service the unhoused should have access to. So next time you bite into a piece of food without thinking, take a second to think about those that don’t have that luxury

More information on this subject can be found at the National Library of Medicine

Medical Teams International is working to Bring Medical Care to the Disadvantaged

NHC offers Affordable Dental Care for those in need

Rapid Rise in Homeless Latinos

2026-06-05T21:25:02.231-07:00

According to UnidosUS, there has been a rapid rise in homeless Latinos, with a reported 114% increase between 2023 and 2025.

But what does this mean?
Well, for many Latinos, there has been avoidance of traditional shelters due to fear, stigma, and a preference for staying with extended family.
So, what is Portland doing to support the Latino community?
One really great program that has been taking steps to support the community is the Latino Network, a Latine-led education organization. Their focus is “grounded in culturally specific practices and services that lift up youth and families to reach their full potential.”
Latino Network was founded in 1996 by community leaders who saw the gap in adequate resources that meet the needs of the growing Latino community.
That being said, they also have a mobile housing team (MHT), which is a housing placement program for families who have youth under the age of 18. The program is funded through the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS).
For that program, eligible clients must be unhoused, reside in Multnomah County, and have a referral through a JOHS Coordinated Access System following an assessment through 211.
This is an important program, especially because of the effects it has on the whole family unit, including youth.
Like many, Latinos are also being affected by the cost of living, lack of affordable family-sized units, and fear of undocumented status, putting them at great risk when using services.

But with the rapid increase in homeless Latinos continuing, it is important to recognize what we as a community of this city can do to help support.

For Latino Network resources or learning about their organization: https://www.latnet.org/

Along with that organization, there is also El Programa Hispano Catolico https://elprograma.org/. They support the Latine communities by providing services that span economic sustainability, community wellness, educational equity, and domestic violence intervention through their UNICA program.

A statewide advocacy organization based in Portland that shapes health policy, drives preventative outreach, and fights for optimal health and systemic wellness outcomes for Latinos. https://orlhc.org/

Operates extensively across the Southwest and beyond to address all housing needs, ranging from emergency housing for those experiencing homelessness to long-term homeownership support. https://cplc.org/

https://www.latnet.org/

The Weight of Survival: Why Safe Storage is the Missing Key to Stability

2026-06-04T23:42:18.183-07:00

Homelessness takes a huge toll beyond just the physical weight. Think about those overstuffed backpacks and giant plastic bins you see in Portland. To lots of folks on the streets, these containers aren't just random junk piles, but their entire lives. It is their last link to safety. Inside they store medicines, warm clothes, cherished photos, and IDs.

People often see these possessions as bothersome eyesores. For the homeless though, lugging around this stuff is more than annoying, it's mentally grueling. They move from place to place with all their worldly belongings clutched tightly. Which leaves them stressed out already, and dragging heavy bags certainly doesn't help. Plus, there's the fear of leaving things unattended, since that could mean having vital items taken away by sweeps or stolen. So, they need to stay hyper-vigilant, leading to relentless worry and strain.

To the homeless, lugging around every single thing they own is part of the constant struggle. What looks like a mess to someone with a home is often all someone else has to hold onto.

People will often tell the homeless to "just get a job" or "keep their appointments," but they overlook a key issue: managing all of their belongings on you all day is exhausting. Trying to get a professional interview or get onto public transportation when weighed down by heavy baggage causes problems. Carriers face immediate rejection or discrimination.

A lack of secure storage negatively impacts efforts to take advantage of assistance programs. Not having a safe spot to stash your gear essentially blocks access to aid needed to escape homelessness. Yet, Portland only offers limited options to solve this dilemma. Take the Northwest Glisan Street daytime storage; it’s understaffed and over-regulated. Most can't use the service since they don’t meet restrictions on container sizes. Self-formed groups such as the Ground Score Association step in. These peer-led programs supply storage, battery charging stations, offering brief reprieve.

However, reliance on these community-run initiatives causes constant fights for funding and room. The end result? Countless Portlanders must keep belongings on sidewalks, hindering any chance to stabilize and advance toward stable jobs or housing.

Portland needs to make secure storage a main part of addressing homelessness. The city should start by funding local storage centers, lengthening hours at current spots, and teaming up closely with organizations led by people who’ve been homeless or know the issues well. Safeguarding personal stuff protects a person's dignity, identity, and chances of regaining stability. If Portland really values community and innovation, offering lockers for belongings should be as vital as helping someone rent an apartment. It's a big first step in helping people feel proud and start fresh.

If you are interested in learning more about how peer-led storage initiatives operate or want to support their work, check out the Ground Score Association website HERE.

A Roof Over Your Head or Your Best Friend

2026-06-03T16:31:41.247-07:00

A Roof Over Your Head or Your Best Friend?

Imagine losing everything tomorrow—your job, your savings, and the roof over your head. In the middle of that chaos, there is only one thing you can still count on: the dog or cat sitting beside you, offering comfort when the rest of the world seems to have turned away.

Now imagine arriving at a homeless shelter on a freezing Portland night and being told you have a choice: a warm bed for yourself or a safe place for your pet—but not both.

For many people experiencing homelessness, this is not a hypothetical situation. It is a painful reality. Many traditional shelters still do not allow animals, forcing people to choose between safety and the companion that has helped them survive some of the hardest moments of their lives. As a result, some individuals sleep outside in dangerous conditions rather than abandon their pets.

Some may question why a person struggling financially would keep a pet in the first place. However, companion animals are far more than a luxury. For many unhoused individuals, they are a source of emotional support, protection, routine, and unconditional companionship. When someone has lost nearly everything, that bond can become one of the few remaining sources of stability and hope.

A truly compassionate community should not require people to separate from their family members in order to receive help. If Portland wants its shelter system to effectively support people transitioning out of homelessness, it must recognize the important role pets play in their owners' lives and expand access to pet-friendly shelter options.

Why should we care? Because a city that values compassion should never force its most vulnerable residents to choose between saving their lives and keeping the companion who helped them survive.

What Climate Change Looks Like Without a Front Door

2026-06-03T16:22:01.012-07:00

What Climate Change Looks Like Without a Front Door

When a severe heat dome settles over Portland or a winter freeze covers the city in ice, most of us check the weather forecast, adjust the thermostat, and stay indoors. We might complain about the heat or the cold, but our safety is rarely in doubt.

But what if you didn't have a thermostat? What if you didn't even have a door?

For thousands of people experiencing homelessness in Portland, climate change is not a distant issue about rising sea levels or melting glaciers. It is a daily struggle for survival. As extreme weather events become more frequent across the Pacific Northwest, the absence of basic necessities like shade, clean drinking water, and climate-controlled shelter can quickly become life-threatening.

Imagine spending a 103-degree afternoon outside with no place to cool down and no access to cold water. Imagine trying to sleep through a freezing winter night while your blankets are soaked from rain and temperatures continue to drop. These are not rare situations—they are realities faced by many of Portland's unhoused residents every year.

Homelessness has long been viewed as an economic issue, but it is increasingly becoming an environmental justice issue as well. The people most exposed to extreme weather are often those with the fewest resources to protect themselves. As a community, we cannot assume someone else will solve the problem. We share a responsibility to ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors are not left to face dangerous weather conditions alone.

We may not be able to solve climate change overnight, but we can take steps to protect people in our own city today. Why should we care? Because the strength of a community is measured not by how it treats its most comfortable residents, but by how it protects those with the least protection when conditions become the most severe.

Can Money Solve Homelessness?

2026-06-03T08:38:06.175-07:00

Let’s pretend, for a moment, that you just found out that you were fired from your job because they found a way to replace you with AI; or that you were diagnosed with an illness that requires very expensive medications or a very expensive surgery; or that your landlord has decided to sell the home you’ve been living in for 10 years to new real estate agency who intend on increasing the cost of rent by $500 a month if you’re interested in staying.

The sad truth is that these are very real circumstances that are becoming more & more common, & so I’m going to ask you a very simple question: What do you think would help you most in this situation: $1,000 a month with no strings attached or an expense free shelter where you’ll share your personal space with 20, 30, or 40 other people in similar or worse circumstances?

I’m assuming, you’d take the $1,000 a month without question. So, if the solution seems so obvious to you, why haven’t we been approaching this strategy to solve homelessness?

Let’s run some simple numbers: According to OregonLive, $742 million are spent on addressing homelessness in Portland alone (Thomas, 2025). If all of that money were redirected towards simply providing people experiencing homelessness $1,000 a month for a year, you’d be able to provide direct support to 61,333 individuals. Of those 61,333 individuals, 91% of them are likely to find housing within that year (Mongeau, 2025). That’s 56,268 people out of homelessness.

When compared to the current method of “solving homelessness,” one has to question: What are we doing?

I’d argue that because we’ve spent so long viewing homelessness as some moral failing, we’ve lost sight of the underlying empathy needed to resolve this social ailment.

I invite you to present this way of thinking to everyone you know, because some day, it may be you who needs this change.

Mongeau, Lillian. “Here’s How Much Was Spent on Homeless Services in the Portland Area Last Year.” Oregonlive, 9 July 2025, www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/07/heres-how-much-was-spent-on-homeless-services-in-the-portland-area-last-year.html.

Thomas, J. (2025, November 19). Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness. Street Roots. https://www.streetroots.org/news-stories/2025/11/19/oregon-experiments-direct-cash-payments-assist-homeless-youths/

The Prison Trap

2026-06-03T08:10:55.373-07:00

5 in 6 people who were released from prison were arrested again within the first 9 years after being released (Alper, 2018) 15.3% of prisoners had experienced homelessness in the year leading up to their arrest (Greenberg, 2008). Though these issues seem unrelated, there are overlapping contributors to people experiencing houselessness. We are all driven by basic needs that we must fulfill: food, water, & a reliable place to rest safely. When people are put in situations where these needs become more difficult to meet, they will find some way to cope: sex, substances, mental escape. They may also turn towards alternative methods of meeting those needs: harmful romantic/sexual relationships that provide safety, theft, or other forms of crime.

A new economic landscape is emerging, in which the average person is unable to meaningfully meet their basic needs. This has caused a spike in crimes, such as the warehouse fire attributed to a disgruntled employee that stated, “If you’re not going to pay us enough to f*cking live, at least pay us enough not to do this.” (ABC7 Chicago, 2026) This economic dismay is the same underlying motive behind people committing petty crimes, such as car break-ins or other forms of theft. By removing honest paths towards fulfilling the basic needs of oneself or loved ones, crime will become a growing norm.

Unfortunately, this results in a feedback loop. The more often you’re incarcerated, the less likely that you’d be housed. With the average American one paycheck away from houselessness, this is a frightening infrastructure that is built on false moral grounds. Why punish people for trying to meet their basic needs? The entire purpose of the government is to assure the mutual benefit to all those participating in that system.

So, then, what do we do?

Let’s be honest about our current situation & work together, both within & outside of government systems. Within, let’s elect representatives that have plans to address these real contributors of economic anxiety: AI regulations, food accessibility, employee protection, & fair housing policies. Outside of the system, let’s work together to find ways to address our needs: community gardens, co-op housing options, lending circles, & other forms of communal aid programs.

ABC7 Chicago. New video appears to show start of Southern California warehouse fire, may reveal motive. (2026, April 9). ABC7 Chicago. https://abc7chicago.com/post/new-video-toilet-paper-being-set-fire-reviewed-part-investigation-southern-california-warehouse/18860399/

Alper, Mariel, et al. Special Report 2018 Update on Prisoner Recidivism: A 9-Year Follow-up Period (2005-2014). U.S. Department of Justice, May 2018, bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/18upr9yfup0514.pdf.

(IMAGE SOURCE) Couloute , L. (2018, August). Nowhere to Go: Homelessness among formerly incarcerated people. Prison Policy Initiative. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/housing.html

Greenberg, Greg A., and Robert A. Rosenheck. “Jail Incarceration, Homelessness, and Mental Health: A National Study.” Psychiatric Services, vol. 59, no. 2, Feb. 2008, pp. 170–77, https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2008.59.2.170.

It’s Time to Clear Away Spending on Sweeps

2026-06-02T12:50:59.628-07:00

The experience of being homeless is not pretty nor dignified. Those who must endure it firsthand are often relegated to out-of-sight, out-of-mind because of how much of a source of discomfort their situation is to others. On the other hand, for those living near homeless encampments, I can imagine how jarring it must be to be confronted daily with the realities of how some people live in order to survive.

I understand not wanting to have strangers sleep on your sidewalk, or do drugs in front of your children as they walk to school.

But moving the problem around the corner is not the same as solving it.

When it feels like nothing is being done, any visible change can seem like a step in the right direction. This is where I believe the impetus for homeless encampment sweeps comes from, a desire to do something, anything that seems to help. But the illusion of progress never helped anyone in the long run.

Portland spent $72.5 million in 2025 on sweeps and emergency shelter funding. Between 2021 and 2023, Portland spent $200,000 per homeless individual. Yet homelessness continues to rise in Oregon, and the death rate of homeless people in Portland has quadrupled from 2019 to 2023.

Many people lose what precious stability they have when the sweeps come through. Their belongings are thrown away, and they must move somewhere new despite any connections to community or services they may have previously had access to. One Portland individual named Debby Beaver was 57 when she died a week after a sweep due to her medication being thrown out. The city contractors responsible for the sweep, without admitting any wrongdoing, paid a settlement of $45,000 after her family filed a wrongful death suit. Sisters of the Road and the Welcome Home Coalition, an advocacy group, released a report which found that people experiencing homelessness saw living in shelters “as undesirable as outdoor spaces.” The same report found that housing affordability was the biggest cause of homelessness and the biggest barrier to getting out of it. Pushing people who have nowhere else to go into temporary shelters that feel unsafe as their only option is cruel and unhelpful.

The punishment of sweeps is not helping anyone.

If there is kind of money to pay for sweeps and shelters, then those resources should be allocated towards a solution that will actually improve all our lives: affordable permanent housing. Everyone deserves a safe and stable home. The way to ensure that for all citizens and residents is to increase access, not shove those who are in a rough way down the road.

To read more about sweeps and what is actually happening in homeless communities, click the links below.

Portland’s top leader escalates homeless sweeps amid federal crackdown - Street Roots

Portland said it was investing in homeless people’s safety. Deaths have skyrocketed. - Street Roots

Officials say the 'camping ban' is meant to offer resources to homeless Portlanders. None of them are tracking whether it’s working. - Street Roots

You Can't Win Without a Paper Trail

2026-06-01T11:18:36.668-07:00

If you are living on the streets, your most valuable possessions are not your clothes or your sleeping bag. They are your ID, your birth certificate, and your Social Security card. Lose those and you lose everything else. No shelter. No job. No benefits. You stop existing on paper.

To replace any of those documents you need an email address and a phone number. Things that are a lot harder to have when you do not have a home. It is a circle with no way in. Cities everywhere are trying to figure this out. Nobody has it perfect. But some places are building something real.

First you have to actually get the documents. In Arizona the Homeless ID Project works five days a week doing exactly that. They help people replace lost IDs and birth certificates, processing over 57 documents every single day, and they partner with 61 organizations across the state whose doors only open if you can prove who you are. One ID. Sixty one doors that were closed before.

Then you have to keep them. In Pueblo, Colorado, the County Clerk launched the Kayleigh Morgan Project, built by a former homeless advocate who now runs the office. The idea is simple. Take a digital snapshot of your birth certificate, your ID, your Social Security card, and hold onto it for you. Lose your backpack, get swept from a camp, flee a bad situation. Your documents are still there waiting.

Then you have to be able to use them. In New York City a council member introduced legislation last year requiring free reliable Wi-Fi in every homeless shelter in the city. Because what good is having your documents if you have no way to email them, apply online, or contact a caseworker. The internet is not a luxury anymore. It is the door that opens all the other doors.

Get it. Keep it. Use it. Three steps. Three cities working on three pieces of the same problem.

Portland has good people working on pieces of this already. Blanchet House runs street outreach that specifically helps people get their IDs and birth certificates back. But nobody has connected the dots yet into something bigger. These cities are showing it does not take a massive budget or a perfect plan. It just takes someone deciding it is worth solving and then actually showing up to do it.

That someone could be you.

Learn more about what Pueblo is doing with the Kayleigh Morgan Project and why safe document storage could be a game changer for people trying to rebuild their lives.

And if you want to support the work happening right here in Portland, Blanchet House’s Old Town InReach Program is doing exactly this kind of work every day. They could use your help.

For Those Who Are Homeless, Access to Storage Can be a Matter of Life or Death.

2026-06-01T01:29:53.759-07:00

City Storage Day Program by: Central City Concern. Portland OR

Imagine if all you had in the world you had to carry with you? Not only that, imagine day and night, you couldn’t have those belongings safely out of your sight or away from your body at risk of them getting taken? Everywhere you go, whether outdoors, indoors, or on public transportation they are with you. Some of these items, especially bags or sleeping bags, may be cumbersome or dirty from dragging them around the city. It’s hard to be discreet, or not in the way and if you have important errands to run, the stress compounds as people may treat you as a nuisance or unwelcome. Any important documents, mementos or lifelines like a cellphone and components are especially at risk of theft or damage by the elements. If you hide your belongings or leave them out in the city, whether a tent, a suitcase or basket to store more things and keep weight off your back, anything really, they could be “swept” away by the city. The same goes for a bike or wagon or trailer. Although items are kept for 30 days, there is only a 4% retrieval rate (Harrop, K, et al., 2024).

My shoulders hurt just thinking of it! I don’t even like the weight of bringing a reusable water bottle or a lunch bag with me to work every day. When hiking or backpacking, people learn that even ounces make a difference, and there is a whole industry around light, travel friendly gear, that is often pricey. Some of us know the feeling of traveling to and from an airport, but killing time on the way in a business, perhaps a gift shop or bookstore, how hard it is to browse with the weight of our packs and suitcases. Many people might make it a shorter trip if there wasn’t a bag check! You get the picture.

If you are homeless in Portland, OR, there are a few options to store one’s belongings. Ground Score run by the Homeless Services Dept, offers storage from 8am-4:30 pm, with coffee served from 8-9:30 am, and free snacks and healthy drinks available while open. Their max storage is 3 plastic bins, with some large item storage depending on availability. Another option is the City Storage Day Program operated by Central City Concern. They are open 7 days a week, 7am-7:45 pm. Their storage limit is a 30-gallon drum with a closed lid. Weapons, food and liquids are prohibited. Their storage limit is 30 days.

It’s a start, but with homeless numbers being what they are (about 12,000 individuals at last count), there is a need (University Communications, 2025). Since the increase in sweeps, there has been a fourfold increase in deaths among the homeless population (Rambo, 2025). With the loss of critical belongings and their not so easy replacement, access to storage for the homeless can be a matter of life and death.

References:

Harrop, K., Chakrabarti, M. & Skoog, T. (2024, December 12). Inside America’s homeless sweeps. Wbur. https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2024/12/12/homeless-encampment-sweeps-portland-propublica

Hayden, J. (2025, August 20). Portland’s top leader escalates homeless sweeps amid federal crackdown. Street Roots. https://www.streetroots.org/news-stories/2025/08/20/portland-top-local-federal-leaders-escalate-homeless-sweeps-public-spaces/

Rambo, K. (2025). Portland said it was investing in homeless people’s safety. Deaths have skyrocketed. Street Roots. https://www.streetroots.org/news-stories/2025/06/11/portland-homeless-deaths-multnomah-county/

University Communications (2025). PSU homelessness research and action collaborative releases the 2025 point in time count. Portland State University. https://www.pdx.edu/news/psu-homelessness-research-and-action-collaborative-releases-2025-tri-county-point-time-count

Mental Health After Natural Disasters

2026-05-27T14:02:02.355-07:00

Mental health after natural disasters in the Philippines is something that deserves a lot more attention because many people focus only on the physical damage and forget about the emotional effects disasters can leave behind. The picture above shows a community gathering together after a disaster while supplies are being handed out. Even though the image shows people receiving help, you can also see the stress, uncertainty, and exhaustion on many of their faces. In the Philippines, strong typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters happen very often, and for many families, this means constantly living with fear and uncertainty. Some people lose their homes, belongings, jobs, schools, or even family members within only a short amount of time. Children especially can become anxious or scared after experiencing major storms, heavy flooding, evacuation centers, or seeing their communities destroyed. Even after the floodwaters go down or homes are rebuilt, the emotional effects can stay with people for a very long time.

One thing that makes this issue difficult is that mental health is still not always openly discussed in many communities. After disasters happen, people are usually expected to focus immediately on survival, rebuilding, finding work again, or helping their families. Because of this, emotional struggles are often pushed to the side. Many people may feel stress, sadness, fear, hopelessness, or trauma but never fully talk about it because they are trying to stay strong for others around them. Some families may also not have access to mental health support, counseling, healthcare, or enough financial stability to recover comfortably after disasters happen. When disasters continue happening year after year, it can create emotional exhaustion and make people constantly worry about when the next storm will come.

At the same time, disasters can also show how important community support is during difficult situations. In many parts of the Philippines, communities come together to help each other by sharing food, clothing, donations, shelter, and emotional support. Volunteers, neighbors, churches, schools, and local organizations often step in to help families recover however they can. The image above reflects that sense of community because even during difficult situations, people are still trying to support one another. Having strong community connections can make a huge difference in helping people emotionally recover after traumatic events. Sometimes simply knowing that other people care and are willing to help can give families hope during overwhelming situations.

Climate change has also made many people more concerned about the future because storms are becoming stronger and weather patterns are becoming less predictable over time. This means that mental health and environmental issues are becoming more connected. People are not only dealing with the damage happening now, but also the fear of future disasters continuing to affect their lives. Families living in poorer or more vulnerable areas are usually impacted the hardest because they may not have strong housing, savings, transportation, or enough resources to recover quickly. This can create even more stress and emotional pressure over time.

Overall, mental health after natural disasters is an issue that should be taken more seriously because disasters affect much more than buildings and roads. They affect people emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially long after the event is over. Raising awareness about these emotional effects is important because recovery is not only about rebuilding homes, but also about helping people feel safe, supported, and hopeful again after going through extremely difficult experiences.

Natural Disaster in the Philippines

2026-05-27T13:49:41.496-07:00

Natural disasters in the Philippines have a huge impact on both people and the environment, especially because the country experiences many typhoons, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides every year. Strong storms and flooding can destroy homes, schools, businesses, roads, and entire communities within only a short amount of time. The image above is a good example of how serious flooding can become in some areas. Entire neighborhoods can end up underwater, forcing families to leave their homes, lose important belongings, and struggle to find safe places to stay. Even after the flooding goes away, many people are still left dealing with damage, stress, financial problems, and the long process of rebuilding their lives.

One thing that makes this issue especially important is that natural disasters do not affect everyone equally. Poorer communities are usually hit the hardest because they may not have strong housing, emergency supplies, transportation, or enough resources to recover quickly after disasters happen. Some families may lose almost everything they have and still be expected to continue working, going to school, or supporting their families while trying to rebuild at the same time. In many situations, people are forced to focus more on survival than long-term recovery because disasters happen so often. This creates emotional stress and uncertainty, especially for children and families who constantly worry about when the next storm or flood will happen.

The Philippines is also especially vulnerable because of its geography and location near the Pacific Ocean, where many typhoons form. Climate change has made many people more concerned about stronger storms, rising sea levels, heavier rainfall, and more unpredictable weather patterns over time. Because of this, environmental problems are also becoming human and social problems. Natural disasters can affect people’s mental health, education, jobs, healthcare, and overall quality of life. Families may be displaced from their homes for long periods of time, and students may miss school because buildings are damaged or transportation becomes difficult after flooding.

At the same time, natural disasters can also show how strong communities can be during difficult situations. Many people in the Philippines rely heavily on teamwork, local support systems, volunteers, donations, and community aid after disasters happen. Neighbors often help each other clean flooded areas, share food and supplies, and support families who lost their homes or belongings. These moments show how important community connection and communication can be during emergencies. The way information is shared also matters because warnings, education, and awareness can influence how people prepare for disasters and respond to dangerous situations.

Overall, natural disasters in the Philippines are not just environmental events. They affect people emotionally, physically, socially, and financially for a long time after the disaster is over. The issue connects to climate change, environmental justice, poverty, and community resilience all at the same time. Raising awareness about these disasters is important because it helps people better understand the real human impact behind the images and news stories people see online.

An Invisible Lifeline- Phone Charging While Homeless

2026-05-27T12:54:30.221-07:00

Kyndness Packs -Kits and photo by: Ariah Schugat

We live in a time where much of our lives are spent online or on our phones: conducting work, school, legal and financial affairs, viewing online news, and connecting through social media, text and video chat, voice calls and entertainment. Many of us are glued to or addicted to our devices, and may have trouble not checking them, for even a half hour or hour! Our growing psychological dependence on our devices makes sense given as our society grows more isolated and digitally driven. Having access to a smartphone (or even a basic phone at bare minimum) can act as a practical and social lifeline.

Now imagine if your access to a phone or devices became severely limited or cut off completely. Imagine if you were homeless. How restricted would you feel? How much more isolated? We have become so accustomed to our devices, we may not realize what a privilege it is to have them, and easy access to Wi-Fi and the means to keep them charged. A lack of access to a charged phone makes it more difficult to communicate with family and friends, employers, food, medical and housing resources and legal help and can result in missed opportunities needed to break free of homelessness.

The 2025 biennial point-in-time count for Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties found that 12,034 people were experiencing homelessness (University Communications, 2025). 48% of that number was entirely unsheltered. This is a 61% increase from the last PIT count in 2023. Although this cannot tell us how many of these individuals had a cellphone, but it can tell us that there is a need.

Oregon Lifeline can provide free and discounted service and a sim card to clients who qualify and who can obtain an unlocked compatible phone. So, if one is homeless and still manages to have a phone, what next? For charging, one has options, but they remain limited- in public places, like shelters, libraries, community centers, some cafes and the occasional outlet that can be found in public parks, some transit stations, and outside businesses. Often, their use is restricted to business and daylight hours, and time limited, with restrictions against loitering.

I believe we can do better, and I would implore everyone to think of our houseless neighbors struggling to stay connected and put our heads together to think of solutions to help with this issue. More public outlets available after hours? Portable phone charging station pop-ups? Donations of charging banks or supplies?

For inspiration, I will leave you with this model: In Ann Arbor Michigan, a former homeless woman Ariah Schugat created phone charging kits to give to homeless people, as she has experienced the difficulty of keeping her phone charged while homeless. Her kits include individual baggies that contain alcohol prep pads, a battery pack, universal charging cords, and a charging base. Perhaps something like this could be possible here? If not, what could be? It may not seem like much, but something as simple as a charged phone could prove essential to help a houseless individual on their path out of homelessness.

References:

Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV. (2021, February 15). Phone charging kits aim to keep homeless population connected [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgDVX_8OZVs

University Communications (2025, November 4). PSU homelessness and research and action collaborative releases the 2025 point in time count. Portland State University. https://www.pdx.edu/news/psu-homelessness-research-and-action-collaborative-releases-2025-tri-county-point-time-count

No Address, Means No Opportunities

2026-05-27T12:06:25.021-07:00

No Address, Means No Opportunities

When most people think about homelessness, they usually think about not having a place to sleep for the night. But something that's easily just as important is that homelessness affects way more than just housing for people. A lot of modern life depends on having a physical address, and without one, even basic things become difficult for many. Thing's that are easy for many of us, can prove to be extremely hard for other's without those resources.

Applying for jobs is one of many examples. Most jobs ask for an address, a reliable phone number, and a stable way to contact you throughout the week. Even if someone is really motivated and trying to improve their situation, it becomes a lot harder when employers have nowhere to send information or don’t see you as reliable because of your living situation. Missing one letter, a phone call, or one email can completely shut down an opportunity before someone even gets a chance.

I’ve also personally known many people who struggled with homelessness, and one thing that stood out to me was how many basic things most of us take for granted suddenly become major obstacles. Something as simple as charging a phone and finding internet access, or protecting important documents from the weather becomes a struggle most of us don't understand. Especially in places like Portland where the weather can constantly change, being exposed to the elements while also trying to hold a job or rebuild your life makes everything even harder.

A lot of people might only see homelessness at the surface level but they don’t always see the invisible systems working against people behind the scenes. Without a physical address to mail to, it becomes significantly harder to receive mail for opportunities, apply for benefits, replace government IDs, or even stay connected to opportunities that would help change their situations. Over time all those smaller barriers build on each other and make escaping homelessness much more difficult than people realize. A lot of modern society is built around the assumption that everyone has a stable home with an address that they can rely on to give them opportunities. Once someone loses access to that, they don’t just lose housing, they actually slowly lose access to the systems that help people move forward in life and help make change. Effectively shutting them out from society and its opportunities.

If you want to learn more about the many hidden barriers people experiencing homelessness face then click here to learn more!:

https://my.neighbor.org/little-known-barriers-homeless-experience/?srsltid=AfmBOoptmXfpFsu7jwWISoT_UM3CNOdzTID8GvcPIB_zV6KEe6eXoXCd

https://regenbrampton.com/unknown-challenges-the-homeless-face/

Cool for the Summer: The Disproportionate Dangers of the Summer Heat

2026-05-24T21:34:10.778-07:00

With summer approaching, people are preparing for the sweltering heat by purchasing fans, stocking up on water, preparing AC units, and rescheduling outdoor activities for cooler times of the day. The summer heat is not a major concern for many, but for those experiencing homelessness, new challenges arise on top of preexisting ones.

Long-term exposure to high temperatures affects everyone, but it disproportionately endangers those who experience homelessness, housing insecurity, and lack air conditioning in their homes. According to Heat.gov, this population is more at risk from heat and heat-related illness due to a variety of factors, such as mental health conditions, substance abuse, chronic health issues, dehydration, and disabilities. The heat can significantly worsen these conditions as well. In addition, accessing medical help during this hot season can be difficult for these individuals due to distance, a lack of transportation, or financial difficulties. Heat can significantly spoil food faster since bacteria multiply faster under warmer temperatures, posing a health risk and further limiting people’s access to resources they already have with them.

Portland is an urban heat island, which refers to cities that tend to get warmer (especially during the summer) than surrounding urban areas. Darker surfaces, such as asphalt roads and concrete sidewalks, absorb more light and heat from the sun, making them much warmer than other surfaces and materials. Fortunately, Portland’s vegetation provides shade to cool off the city and its inhabitants. The only issue is that sweeps have been increasing, which forcibly displaces the homeless population from one spot to another, breaking up communities and preventing them from being able to support one another. These sweeps do not mean that people can simply move to a shelter. There could be limited access/available space, a lack of trust, mobility challenges, and curfews that make it extremely difficult for them to be a reliable place to stay cool and away from the heat.

So, how can people stay cool if none of these options are viable?

Some suggestions include a buddy/support system, avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest hours of the day, staying in shaded areas, wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that covers your skin, and knowing where to find local cooling centers. These suggestions may not be easy to implement for some individuals, which is why the city needs to improve at reducing heat risk not only for the homeless communities, but for the rest of the city, too. Instead of sweeping homeless communities, the city should open more accessible shelters and cooling centers, remove curfews, and remove restrictions that create more barriers to staying at these shelters.

The community can help too. Communicate with each other, build trust, relay information, and work with others to provide food, water, and other resources to those in need. The sun’s heat indiscriminately affects everyone, but it’s the varying access to resources, shelter, cooling alternatives, and support that especially endangers people experiencing homelessness.

To learn more, click on these resources:

Homeless Portlanders, Service Providers Prepare for Heat

Help for When it's Hot

Beating the Heat on the Street

Landfills & Leftovers: Food or Garbage?

2026-05-18T19:50:18.328-07:00

Leftovers. Everyone loves them, until their fridge is ridden with too much alfredo pasta for their own good..

Jokes aside, food waste is much more than just discarding your perfectly good leftovers. The United States, alone, throws away 92 billion TONS of food each year. This food comes from consumers in their homes, poor business practices, overproduction, expiration, and various parts of the food supply chain. According

to moveforhunger.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to solving the issue of hunger and food waste:

American consumers, businesses, and farms spend $218 billion, or 1.3% of their gross domestic product,

growing, processing, and disposing of food that is never eaten. On average, businesses are taking a $74

billion loss on food waste every year”.

This means in America alone there are billions of dollars worth of food wasted that could be redistributed

or otherwise re-used, which would as a result save the American economy billions of dollars on actually

processing their food waste. If overproduction is an issue, we need to scale back the amount of product we

buy for our businesses and homes if we know it’s too much. Otherwise, there should be infrastructure in

place in order to keep as much nutritious food on hand as possible, in order to minimize the amount of

waste produced.

What does this mean for homelessness? It means that in addition to scaling back our production and

consumption, we need to have systems in place for people who can’t buy food, and for food that doesn’t

have people to eat it. There are already soup kitchens, food pantries, food drives, government assistance,

missions, and things like that which designate a place for people to go to who need immediate help with

things like food and other necessities. However, this doesn’t address the glaring issue of wasted food.

We could increase our number of soup kitchens 100 fold, and actually see an increase in food waste and

overall use of product. We should incentivize people to donate their unused food instead of throwing it

away. Avoiding food waste benefits the buyer, the seller, garbage collectors, and people who need food.

Public infrastructure tied to food would create more jobs and reduce our food waste, reserving more

resources for those who need them.

In the meantime, before the United States and local communities develop the optimal infrastructure to

keep our food out of landfills, we as individuals, families, and businesses can commit to doing our best to

reduce food waste. This means saving the leftovers, freezing them, and never throwing food away.

If you don’t want it, find someone else who wants it. If no one else wants it, compost it. If you truly can’t

get rid of your unwanted food, ask yourself, should I have bought this much food in the first place?

We can plan ahead and not over-produce. We can decide to use our freezers to store food for our future,

and unused food. We can also decide to save our ‘expired’ food (which is usually not), mis-shapen food,

and otherwise undesirable food for those who need it. We can decide to make a weekly or biweekly trip to

the soup kitchen. We have to make small choices in order to reduce our food waste. These choices will

hopefully ensure that more houseless individuals and people in need can access food, instead of being

turned away due to the lack of food.

Soup kitchens should be abundant with food and landfills should be filled with garbage, not food.

The Environmental Impact of Food Waste

New Research Reveals Frozen Food’s Role in Reducing Food Waste

Charging Stations: A Lifeline for Some

2026-05-16T13:09:30.154-07:00

Most of us hope to spend our elder years in comfort. It’s a difficult reality that many of the unhoused in our society are seniors, and that any of us could face the same fate if we experience the right amount of wrong circumstances. Our culture often paints homelessness as a personal or moral failing, and as such, there can be a strong resistance to providing basic services to those living on the streets. But everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and kindness, no matter their situation. This is not what happened with a Portland resident who was charged with theft for simply trying to charge her cell phone in public.

It’s painful to imagine the need for someone to avoid certain areas of town where she once walked safely with her kids and grandkids. That fear of harassment from police officers and others could be such an unwelcome change as to warrant this avoidance. Yet that was the experience of one woman, who has chosen to remain nameless, living on the streets of Portland and waiting to be approved for affordable housing. Her disability payments, necessitated by muscular dystrophy, were too low to afford anything else. After joining a homeless peer charging their cell phone using an outlet on a sidewalk planter box, both her and her companion were charged with third-degree theft of services, a Class C misdemeanor. Neither of them realized this was a private outlet belonging to the business next to the planter box, nor did they realize this could be considered a crime. They were simply trying their best to survive in a bad situation.

There are options out there for people with low or no income to get a free phone. But the constant need to keep that device charged is a struggle many wouldn’t think about. A phone is not a luxury item; it is a vital tool that connects people with what they need to survive and to better their lives. A phone enables one to apply for jobs, for housing, and for food stamps. A phone lets people talk to their loved ones. Being able to call for help can be a necessary lifeline for women in dangerous situations. Access to a charged cell phone is a basic level of quality of life that everyone should have.

It is a stain on any society that a grandmother would be forced to live on the streets for any reason, much less for being on disability. The very least that could be offered is an easy way to charge their phone. Luckily the DA ended up dropping this specific case the night before her trial, being convicted could have jeopardized her chances at being approved for housing.

The fact is that all of us could end up in her shoes, so we owe it to ourselves and each other to ask our cities to provide easy and free charging access to all members of society. There are companies like GrowCharge that design and build solar charging stations, including a public bench design, similar to those already in use in Central Park and Stanford University. Hospitality Hub, a nonprofit in Memphis, Tennessee, is a public space that offers amenities like cell phone charging to anyone who needs it. The options are there, we just need to prioritize them.

To read more about how important a charged cell phone is for those experiencing homelessness, the Portland woman charged with theft, or different options for charging stations, check out the links below.

Cellphones Are a Lifeline for Unhoused People—But Barriers Abound Shelterforce

Homeless phone-charging “thief” wanted security - Street Roots

Solar Phone Charging Stations For Cities

Design public space for homeless people? This Memphis nonprofit did - Street Roots

Is Homelessness a Crime?

2026-05-11T15:12:27.841-07:00

Illustration by Hisashi Okawa

Did you know that it is punishable to sleep outside, even if no housing or shelter is available? Sounds unfair, right?

In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson that punishing someone for sleeping in public spaces, even if they have nowhere else to stay, does not violate the Eighth Amendment. In other words, they believed that it is not a “cruel and unusual” punishment. This allows other cities nationwide to pass laws that make unsheltered homelessness a legally punishable offense.

Lawmakers all over the country are attempting to sweep the crisis (and the people) under the rug without addressing the real, bigger issues that can effectively end homelessness. As of last month, Housing Not Handcuffs reported that 22 states are considering introducing new anti-homeless laws. That is nearly half the country considering criminalizing homelessness. While they are pushing to punish people experiencing homelessness, they are also slashing investments for housing, treatments, and other supports that would otherwise aid those in need.

Why does this matter? Criminalizing homelessness does nothing to solve the crisis at hand. Instead, these flawed laws effectively trap people already experiencing homelessness into a deeper pit. Arrests and tickets create criminal records, preventing people from getting jobs, qualifying for housing, and receiving other benefits that would have actually helped in ending homelessness. Research conducted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness shows there is no evidence that it reduces homelessness. All it does is forcefully remove people from one public space to the next, creating an endless, needless cycle.

The majority of people experiencing homelessness are not unsheltered by choice. Many factors can come into play, such as a lack of affordable housing, mental and physical health care, or adequate shelter. There are many barriers, both visible and invisible ones, that make it increasingly difficult to escape unsheltered homelessness. Lawmakers should focus on passing bills that increase affordable housing and other forms of support and aid, rather than pushing for punitive measures.

It’s unnecessary and dehumanizing to criminalize homelessness. Stop passing anti-homeless laws and start providing support for those experiencing homelessness.

It should never be a crime to seek shelter.

Click on these links to learn more about decriminalizing homelessness:

Tracking the Criminalization of Homelessness

What Communities Need to Know About the Decriminalization of Homelessness

The Hidden Struggle of Staying Clean While Homeless

2026-05-08T00:56:25.554-07:00

For most people, taking a shower, washing clothes, or brushing their teeth is part of a normal daily routine. These are things many people do without even thinking about them. However, for people experiencing homelessness, staying clean can become one of the hardest parts of daily life. Something as simple as finding a bathroom, clean water, or a safe place to shower is not always easy. Many homeless individuals do not have regular access to hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, or clean clothes. This affects not only physical health, but also mental health, confidence, and how people are treated by others in public spaces.

A study about hygiene practices among homeless individuals in Boston found that many people experiencing homelessness struggle with access to showers, laundry, and sanitation facilities. The study explained that limited hygiene access can increase the risk of infections, skin conditions, dental problems, and other illnesses. Some individuals reported washing clothes in public sinks or depending on shelters, friends, or public programs just to shower or do laundry. These situations show how difficult basic hygiene can become without stable housing and reliable resources.

Lack of hygiene can also affect opportunities in everyday life. Imagine trying to attend a job interview, school, or a medical appointment without being able to shower or wash your clothes for several days. Many homeless individuals already face unfair judgment from society, and hygiene struggles can increase embarrassment, stress, and stigma even more. Some businesses also restrict bathroom access to paying customers, making it harder for homeless individuals to meet even their most basic needs.

The study also explained that hygiene is connected to dignity and emotional well being, not just cleanliness. Even small things like clean clothes, access to soap, or warm shower can help someone feel more confident, respected, and comfortable around others. These simple resources can make a major difference in a person's daily life.

Hygiene is a basic human need not a luxury. Supporting shelters, donating hygiene kits, and improving access to public bathrooms, showers, and laundry services can make a real difference. Even small actions like free shower programs or public restrooms can help people stay healthy and maintain dignity. If we want to truly support homeless communities, we need to understand that staying clean is often much harder than most people realize and that small resources can have a big impact on a person's confidence, health, and opportunities.

To learn more about homelessness and hygiene access here is the article:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5580630/