Homeless Services Program at Our Just Future
Eligibility and Access
For program eligibility, getting on wait lists, and other information on homeless services, call 211 or log on to 211info.org. 211 is the main way to access services in Multnomah County.
You can also contact our offices in Portland at (503) 548-0200 or in Rockwood at (503) 405-7875.
The Homeless Services Program at Our Just Future (formerly known as Human Solutions) provides three elements that are critical to homeless families: emergency shelter, housing assistance, and family advocacy.
Some who are experiencing homelessness may be living in their cars or in other places unfit for human habitation. Others may be temporarily “doubled up” with family and friends in potentially unsafe and crowded conditions. When people turn to our emergency shelters, they have exhausted all of their options for housing and literally have no place else to go. Our first priority is to get people into safe shelter or housing.
Emergency Shelter
First and foremost, people experiencing homelessness need help with the basics – a safe place to sleep and food to eat. We operate year-round shelters that provide all of the basics – and more. In some cases, we can help people bypass shelter altogether and go directly from homelessness into housing as part of Multnomah County’s Homeless Family System of Care, and other related programs. Our Just Future operates three shelters: one for families and two for adults who identify as women, nonbinary, or genderqueer. While shelter is not designed to be a long-term solution, you may stay as long as you need if you are following program rules and expectations.
Lilac Meadows
The Lilac Meadows Family Shelter is accessible to families – one or more adults with at least one minor child, or individuals in their third trimester of pregnancy. This shelter has no walk-up access; we partner with 211 to screen for eligibility and coordinated intake.
Gresham Women’s Shelter
The Gresham Women’s Shelter is a shelter for anyone who identifies as a woman, nonbinary, or genderqueer. This shelter is a hybrid program that works with all women, including those who have experienced domestic violence (DV). It is not a secure DV shelter but is DV-informed, and we work in conjunction with community partners offering an array of services. This shelter has no walk-up access; instead we partner with 211, the Gateway Center, and Call to Safety to screen for eligibility and coordinated intake.
The Chestnut Tree Inn Shelter
Located in the Hazelwood neighborhood, this social-distancing shelter opened in response to the pandemic and hosts around 60 COVID-vulnerable residents who identify as women, non-binary or gender-queer.
Housing Assistance
We work in partnership with Multnomah County, the Joint Office of Homeless Services and other organizations to assist people who are experiencing homelessness to find and secure affordable housing as soon as possible. We understand that the reasons people become homeless vary greatly. As such, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach – instead a continuum of options is available to provide people with appropriate housing options. Some programs offer one-time cash assistance; others offer various supports to keep people housed while they can become financially stable enough to pay the rent on their own; still others offer long-term or permanent supportive housing.
Family Advocacy
For people who need ongoing assistance to maintain housing, services are “person centered.” This assures individuals are empowered to make their own choices for overcoming homelessness. Some individuals may be underemployed or unemployed; others may need help with property debt or previous utility bills; still others may need assistance in accessing disability services, sign up for the Oregon Health Plan or Social Security. People are encouraged to set goals, that when achieved will result in permanently overcoming homelessness.
