Clackamas County does a Point in Time count every other year, as required by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Using a team of volunteers, we explore the county on a specific day, seeking people who are unsheltered – sleeping outdoors, in camps, on the street, in vehicles or in abandoned buildings or sheds. We also seek to include people who are living on the couch of a friend or family member, or otherwise living in an overcrowded situation due to lack of permanent housing.
Point in Time Count Results
This year, our count was held on Jan. 22, 2019. Thanks to the effort of 168 volunteers, Clackamas County staff, and 43 community partners, we were able to learn the following about our community:
- The number of people experiencing homelessness counted in 2019 was 1,166, a 9% increase from 2017.
- There was a significant decrease in the number of unsheltered people counted, likely because Clackamas County operated more warming shelters during the winter of 2018-19. (The count includes anyone who doesn’t have permanent, stable housing.)
- People of color are disproportionately experiencing homelessness in our county.
- Unaffordable rent, unemployment, eviction, interpersonal conflict and mental or emotional health issues were the most common problems faced by those who told us what caused them to leave their last living arrangement.
- The majority of those surveyed have been Clackamas County residents for two or more years, and primarily live in Oregon City, Clackamas, Molalla, Milwaukie, Sandy, Estacada or Canby.
One Call to Get Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness, please call Coordinated Housing Access (CHA) at 503-655-8575. CHA has successfully placed an average of 242 people into housing each year for the past three years.