
Welcome to EcoLife! This blog, which is hosted by Portland State University students, aims to motivate, inform, and inspire change. We want you to learn about the complicated issues surrounding homelessness, while going beyond the tip of the iceberg. We hope to establish a connection with you through our posts regarding the lives and experiences of homeless individuals, expressed in these numerous stories and articles. We hope you enjoy our blog!
Sunday, August 17, 2025
A Hero With No Home
City-Run Grocery Stores - Is this the solution to Food Deserts? A Conversation
The USDA reported that there are about 6,500 food deserts throughout the US. These are areas that
have a lack of affordable or healthy food options near them. This is often because grocery stores know
they won't receive an extensive amount of profit in lower populations such as rural areas. City-run
Grocery Stores are a big topic in the news regarding the new Mayor of New York Zohran Mamdani that
plans to open some in New York with plenty of misleading information. This threatens corporate
grocery stores from being able to continuously inflate their prices for food and other basic items that
are required for living and this frightens them. City-run grocery stores are meant to be not for profit,
and this is what I believe could make a significant difference in those food deserts. The most vulnerable
population within food deserts are those that are homeless. It means that the homeless will struggle to
afford a basic meal and may have to pay to travel to another area to even access food. With the
extensive lack of public transportation their options are limited. These stores would allow that at least
the 13.5 million people who fall into those 6,500 food deserts would have access to affordable and
healthy food. Food is a basic need that everyone requires and shouldn't be difficult to obtain in 2025.
Please click here to find out how to contact your local representatives (How to Contact) and learn more
or donate to programs attempting to help food deserts now (Here).
Read More Here:
Mapping Food Deserts in the United States | Economic Research ServiceHousing first DOES work when continuously funded. This is how YOU can help!!
Systemically, America has pushed its average citizens who already didn’t make enough money to
begin with into a state of constant struggle teetering on homelessness. So, if an average citizen is
struggling what can we do for the homeless population? The Housing First model is incredible when
funding reaches the programs that are using it. It is all about the services that come in tandem with
housing first programs. Whether it offers food, basic hygiene needs, behavioral health services, or
case managers it is meant to meet those individuals where they are at presently. The National Alliance
to End Homelessness tells us that when the funding was there, we saw a significant decrease in
homelessness. With the total number of people dropping by 15% between 2007-2016. So, in less than
a decade these programs were able to begin solving a problem. For even more impressive results we
can see the specific subpopulations decrease between 2010 and 2016, with family homelessness
dropping by 23%, veteran homelessness decreasing by 47%, and chronic homelessness by 27%.
With the drop in funding from almost every avenue even after this obviously good outcome these
programs have been severely underfunded and there is a lack of investment into truly affordable
housing. But if you say, well why is the homelessness increasing across America then? I would tell
you that each year since 2021 we have seen an increase equal to or greater of homeless entering the
streets compared to those being housed. Why continue on a path of increased homelessness when we
know a model that works? Do you think we deserve a world where children end up on the streets?
Please click here to find out how to contact your local state representatives (How to contact) and places
where YOU can contribute. (Donate)
Aging on the Streets: Why Older Adults in Portland Are Facing a Hidden Crisis
Aging on the Streets: Why Older Adults in Portland Are Facing a Hidden Crisis
By Emma Fleming | August 2025
When talking about the unhoused, people generally picture those who are young and middle aged. Even with the number of unhoused seniors rising quickly, they are not the immediate face people imagine. They are people who have worked, raised families, and now find themselves trying to survive without a stable place to live and sleep. Our local shelters prioritize beds for people 55 plus because of the vulnerability they have, which rises sharply with age.
This isn’t only an issue within Portland, it’s a national shift researchers are calling the “graying of homelessness.” Studies show adults 50 plus are a large portion of the unhoused. Many people lose housing, for the first time, after 50 due to health, rent, eviction, or the death of a partner. Older adults experiencing houselessness also age faster. This is due to their living in the elements and lacking access to healthcare.
Why older adults are at higher risk
Fixed incomes are very limiting. The only cover necessities, maybe a bill or two, and possibly a meal. A single ER visit or hospital stay can unravel a tight budget. Once someone is outside, chronic conditions worsen, mobility declines, and sleep becomes fragmented. These things make it even harder to navigate waitlists, paperwork, and appointments.
Health researchers have been sounding the alarm saying older adults experiencing homelessness have higher rates of diabetes, heart and lung disease, cognitive impairment, and depression. They also use emergency and inpatient care far more often. Without support and follow through, mortality rates increase. Rising mortality rates are something Multnomah County has seen a dramatic rise in among people experiencing houselessness.
What dignity looks like in practice
Dignity for an older adult is found in providing necessities. These means a quiet safe place to sleep, a shower without stairs, someone who can help refill medications, and a caseworker who is patient. Portland has groups which can assist with these issues:
Northwest Pilot Project (NWPP) focuses on finding and maintaining rentals for unhoused seniors in Multnomah County. Their assistance helps prevent elders from experiencing continued crises.
Portland Street Medicine meets people where they are. Whether they meet under bridges or in camps, they go to provide medical care and make connections to mental health/addiction services. For older adults with mobility limits or trauma histories, that’s often the only doorway that feels safe enough to enter.
Transition Projects operates hundreds of shelter beds and support services. Their listings show priority for folks who are 55 plus, those who are disabled, and for veterans.
What would help—now
From a public-health perspective, the fixes aren’t mysterious; they’re just under-scaled:
Senior focused low-barrier shelters (fewer stairs, grab bars, quiet hours, on-site nursing).Portland is testing housing which is age and disability focused, prioritizing adults 45 plus.
Mobile, trauma-informed healthcare that integrates refills, wound care, behavioral health, and benefits going where people actually live. We need to meet them where they are at.
Targeted prevention & rapid rehousing for 55 plus, would include rent subsidies and eviction defense through organizations like NWPP. It’s a cheaper and more compassionate way to house folks instead of waiting for a crisis to force shelter.
Why this matters
If we don’t act, researchers project a continuing surge in older-adult homelessness. With this increase, we will see more avoidable hospitalizations, nursing-home placements, and deaths. The moral case is obvious; the economic case is, too: supportive housing and senior-tailored services reduce costly ER and inpatient use.
Older adults sleeping outside is not inevitable. They’re our neighbors, and many people are one rent increase away from losing everything. Meeting their basic needs like a calm shelter, healthcare, and affordable housing makes for a community that takes dignity seriously at every age.
Local resources & ways to help
Northwest Pilot Project (seniors 55 plus) – rental assistance, housing navigation.
Portland Street Medicine – volunteer, donate, or refer someone for mobile care.
Transition Projects – shelter access & housing support; see county list for age-priority sites.
References
Byrne, T., Culhane, D., Doran, K., Johns, E., Kuhn, R., Metraux, S., & Schretzman, M. (2019). The emerging crisis of aged homelessness. Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy. https://aisp.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Emerging-Crisis-of-Aged-Homelessness.pdf
Culhane, D. P., & Metraux, S. (2013). The Age Structure of Contemporary Homelessness: Evidence and Implications for Public Policy. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. https://nchv.org/images/uploads/The_Age_Structure_of_Contemporary_Homelessness_WEB.pdf
Kushel, M., & Moore, T. (2023). Toward a new understanding: The California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness. UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/sites/default/files/2023-06/CASPEH_Report_62023.pdf
Espinoza, M., Moore, T., Adhiningrat, S., Perry, E., & Kushel, M. (2024). Toward Dignity: Understanding older adult homelessness in the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness. UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative. https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/Older%20Adult%20Homelessness%20Report%2005.2024.pdf
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2024, March 18). Nearly one in four people experiencing homelessness were over age 55. OPB: Think Out Loud. https://www.opb.org/article/2024/03/18/think-out-loud-multnomah-county-older-adult-housing-instability/
Oregon Public Broadcasting. (2025, June 17). In Multnomah County, homeless deaths are on the rise. OPB: Think Out Loud. https://www.opb.org/article/2025/06/17/think-out-loud-multnomah-county-homeless-deaths-rise-data/
Street Roots. (2024, January 3). Falling through the net: Aged homelessness in Oregon. Street Roots. https://www.streetroots.org/news/2024/01/03/falling-through-net-aged-homelessness-oregon
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Bans Targeting Houseless People Living out of Vehicles
Bans Targeting Houseless People Living out of Vehicles By Kenyon Santana
When discussing the issues facing houseless people, many will overlook the significant population that live in a car or RV. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, houseless people living out of a motor vehicle as unsheltered; the same as people living on the street, in abandoned buildings, and the wilderness. Living out of a vehicle introduces significant hurdles when trying to use the restroom, prepare meals, and maintain one's hygiene without the proper facilities. On top of that, finding places to park a vehicle adds a new layer of stress for houseless people as the threat of being ticketed, or towed, is a financial burden many would be unprepared to face.
Burton, D. (2020). White rv trailer on green grass field during daytime [Graphic]. https://unsplash.com/photos/white-rv-trailer-on-green-grass-field-during-daytime-pZpzLUxWXs8
Why then, is Portland trying to make it more difficult for houseless people living out of their cars?
In may of 2024, the Portland City Council approved a public camping ordinance, banning camping on public property or the public right-of-way if a houseless person has access to alternative forms of shelter. This ordinance then began enforcement in July of 2024. (City of Portland Camping Ordinance | Portland.Gov, n.d.) What many did not know when the Portland City Council initially attempted to ban all daytime ( 8am - 8pm) camping in 2023 was that the ban also included those stated to be ‘camping’ in their vehicle. (Best, 2023) While the daytime camping ban was enjoined by a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge, the current ban on camping on public property is, unfortunately, in effect and it too bans sleeping in ones car if the area it is on is considered public property or right-of-way.
Other local governments enacting similar legislation
Portland is far from alone in this measure; many cities across the United States ban sleeping in cars or similar measures that through indirect means punish and criminalize houseless people who resort to living from a vehicle. In July of this year San Francisco passed into legislation a ban on RVs parking for more than two hours on city streets. (Newman, 2025) While the legislation also includes subsidies for interim housing, why must any support for houseless people (time and time again) only come tied with punitive measures against them for their current living conditions?
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Drums and the Houseless: A new program on the rise?
Drums and the Houseless: A new program on the rise?
By Brennan Kane
We're going to start this blog off in a different place today: drum circles. How are drum circles related to homelessness and sustainability? I will get to that in a moment, but for now, let's take a dive into drum circles.
Drumming is, as Jim Donovan put it in his article Rhythmic Healing: 7 Ways Drumming Elevates Your Mental Wellbeing, “a cornerstone of human culture.” And while it is not as common of a practice here in the USA today, there are many benefits to its practice, specifically that of group drum circles. It can help in:
being a stress reliever,
boosting brain power,
elevation of mood,
enhanced self expression,
improved social bonds,
increased mindfulness,
emotional release,
and more!
These are all extremely helpful mechanisms in living a healthy emotional life, and it comes from something as simple as getting together and drumming. Not only that, but it can have direct health benefits, such as improved recovery for cancer patients and increased immune system responses. This is all wonderful news, but back to the question at the beginning, how does this relate to the houseless crisis here in Portland?
Specifically, what if someone were to apply the practice of drum circles to our current houseless population? They would have improved mental health and physical health in some cases. In fact, some studies show that it specifically has a greater mood and behavioral effect in low income children. So, this seems like a perfect pairing! Drums and the houseless crisis. However, the biggest barrier to start drum circles at homeless shelters is the price of drums. However, Jeremy Kane, a band director in the Beaverton School District, is starting a program in which he provides drums and organizes drumming circles for the homeless shelters in Beaverton and Portland. This program is something we should all look out for! Stay tuned for more information.
More reading on drumming and its positive effects can be found below.
https://www.jimdonovantrainings.com/blog/7-mental-health-benefits-of-drumming-and-drumming-circles
https://justaddrhythmnow.com/drum-circles/drumming-health-a-curated-list-of-clinical-studies/
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Threads of Love
Threads of Love
Clothing begins long before it is worn. It starts as an idea. All ideas don't always come to life… but the ones that are worthy will. They are then shaped by thought and imagination which transcends into a final product. From the first sketch to the final stitch, love can be woven into every fiber.
A designer may pour their heart, mind, body & soul into choosing the right fabric. A seamstress may carefully smooth each seam so it feels soft against the skin. Even the simplest piece of clothing can carry the intention of comfort (beauty). That love does not fade once the garment leaves the hands that made it. It lives on in the person who wears it, wrapping them in more than just fabric.
The power of clothing is not only about style or fashion trends. It is about dignity. It is also about being seen.
When someone loses housing, they lose more than a roof over their head. They often lose access to resources many of us take for granted. A clean shirt can be the difference between getting hired or not. A warm coat can protect you from the coldness of the world and its opinions. Shoes can make long walks through life bearable.
These items are practical necessities. They are also vessels of care and connection. Something as basic as an outfit can change how a person sees themselves. It can also change how the world sees them.
I have met people whose lives changed because they received the right clothes at the right time. A blazer and slacks for a job interview gave one person the confidence to walk into the room ready to succeed. A winter coat allowed another person to get to work and home without freezing. A nice pair of shoes meant someone could attend school without being bullied.
These moments are not about fixing someone. They are about passing along love and clearing a path so their potential can shine.
Restoring dignity to someone experiencing homelessness is not only about providing shelter. It is about restoring the pieces of life that make someone feel human again. Restoring pieces that make someone feel GOOD again.
Clothing can be one of those pieces. When we dress in a way that feels good, people carry themselves differently. Making more eye contact and speaking more confidently can be symptoms of a good outfit. When the outside world responds to us with respect, it becomes easier to believe we deserve it.
If you love giving back, this can be a way to contribute. Not everyone can volunteer at a shelter or afford to build housing. What can be done is everyone helping in their own way. Imagine organizing clothing drives that focus on quality and style. Picture giving people choices...outfits that will actually allow them to feel good about themselves. Let them pick what makes them feel strong, professional, beautiful, or comfortable.
That is not just charity. That is the love of creation and care being passed from one person to another.
Clothes alone cannot solve homelessness. But the love stitched into them can be part of a larger movement to restore dignity. That love can rebuild confidence and open doors. It can help someone feel like they belong in the room where opportunities happen. Through clothing donations and other acts of care, we can continue to restore not only dignity but love back to the homeless community.