Homeless Services Department - Multnomah County@multco_hsd

A county department funding shelter, outreach, housing services for neighbors experiencing homelessness. 3k+ shelter beds, housing for ~12k people.

 Multnomah County, OR
hsd.multco.us/
Joined February 2015
634 Photos and videos
How do we build long-term housing stability in Multnomah County? 🏠 Portland State University’s Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative (HRAC) has released Part 2 of the HSD-funded Pathways Study. Informed by a lived experience advisory group (the TREES committee), the...
Intricate black-and-white illustration of A visual synthesis of Without a Map: A Lived Experience Study of the Paths People Create Through Homelessness.

ALT Intricate black-and-white illustration of A visual synthesis of Without a Map: A Lived Experience Study of the Paths People Create Through Homelessness.

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system gaps, and address root structural causes alongside immediate shelter needs. 👇 Read the full PSU press release and access the study: pdx.edu/news/new-psu-study-m…

New PSU Study Maps Complex Journeys Through Homelessness in Final Pathways Report

A new report from Portland State University’s Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative (HRAC) and the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health offers an in-depth examination of how individuals naviga...

pdx.edu
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Illustrated Storymap by Stefanie Koehler in collaboration with the TREES Lived Experience Committee and K Conte.
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We’re excited to be part of the 2026 Housing Oregon Conference. Nathaniel VerGow, Director of the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department, will be speaking on a panel presentation – Five Years In: The State of Our Homeless Services Systems and What Comes Next
"Graphic reading Housing Oregon's 2026 Conference and Awards Gala, September 28 and 29, Oregon Convention Center."

ALT "Graphic reading Housing Oregon's 2026 Conference and Awards Gala, September 28 and 29, Oregon Convention Center."

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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. You’ll hear from executive leaders in the tri-county region about the progress made in homeless services systems through the SHS measure and in regionalizing our systems of care.
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Leaders will discuss the continued challenges in the region and areas of improvement to strengthen public trust and confidence for future investment. Learn more & register by September 15: housingoregon.org/conference… #HousingORConf2026

Industry Support Conferences - Housing Oregon

housingoregon.org
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🕊️ Remembering Becky Lange: Honoring her advocacy and commitment to ending homelessness. Her legacy inspires us all. ❤️ Cross-Sector Case Conferencing: Providers, join our new CSCC Leadership Table to boost collaboration between homeless services and healthcare.
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🏫 NEFS Neighborhood Meeting: Learn about the new Northeast Family Shelter on Sept 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Mt. Hood Community College. Connect with project leaders! 👉 Read the full newsletter here: mailchi.mp/multco/hsd-monthl…
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📢 Check out our September newsletter! Here’s what’s happening at the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department: 🏢 Q4 SHS Report: Over 1,000 neighbors moved into stable housing this year! Read our report for highlights on our progress.
Illustration of a city street with colorful buildings promoting Multnomah County Homeless Services newsletter for September 2026.

ALT Illustration of a city street with colorful buildings promoting Multnomah County Homeless Services newsletter for September 2026.

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"Doing as much—if not more—with less." Our Homeless Services Department Director, Nathaniel VerGow, joined @OPBTOL yesterday to discuss the future of homeless services in Multnomah County...
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navigating current fiscal shifts, and applying key lessons from his work with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to build a more efficient, impactful system. Listen to the full conversation on OPB: opb.org/article/2026/08/10/m…
People line up outside of Union Gospel Mission for a free Thanksgiving meal in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, Nov. 27. Image Courtesy: Saskia Hatvany / OPB

ALT People line up outside of Union Gospel Mission for a free Thanksgiving meal in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, Nov. 27. Image Courtesy: Saskia Hatvany / OPB
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"Our mission is getting folks off of the streets and into permanent housing... Accountability is my mantra for the year, and that means getting laser-focused on what is proven to have the best results."
Screenshot of an Oregonian news article.Headline: New Multnomah County leader sees rising homelessness rates, 'glimmers of hope' on the horizon.Image of a dog standing at the feet of its owner.

ALT Screenshot of an Oregonian news article.Headline: New Multnomah County leader sees rising homelessness rates, 'glimmers of hope' on the horizon.Image of a dog standing at the feet of its owner.

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In a recent Q&A with The @Oregonian, Homeless Services Department Director Nathaniel VerGow shared his perspective on navigating budget constraints, improving system navigation, and building long-term housing solutions for our community.
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Read the full story here: oregonlive.com/politics/2026…

New Multnomah County leader sees rising homelessness rates, ‘glimmers of hope’ on the horizon

"I describe homelessness services as sitting in a canoe at the bottom of a waterfall," VerGow told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

oregonlive.com
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Data is essential. Lived experience is foundational. How do we ensure our systems truly meet the needs of those they serve? By keeping community voices at the center of our work.
Graphic displaying the release of the Homeless Services Department's April 2026 newsletter. Image features a screenshot of The Pathways Study conducted by Portland State University.

ALT Graphic displaying the release of the Homeless Services Department's April 2026 newsletter. Image features a screenshot of The Pathways Study conducted by Portland State University.

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541 neighbors experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County to better understand their daily challenges and housing goals. By centering these voices, we are better equipped to refine our decision-making and advocate for the permanent housing solutions our community is asking for.
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📖 Read more in our April Newsletter or at the link in our bio to access the full report and the PSU press release!
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🏀 Our March 2026 Newsletter is live! We’re sharing a transparent look at our FY 2027 budget, celebrating service expansion at Bradley Angle, and a powerful story of resilience from our partners at SACOO. 📖 Link in bio to read! #pdx #multco #housingjustice
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