Times are changing, and CCC is always exploring new ideas that can make a real difference in our region’s work to end homelessness. We know that Portland’s homelessness crisis is largely about housing, but it’s also about the care and support people need to stay housed and stable. Most people do well once they have housing. Others, especially those with serious mental health or substance use challenges, may need more. For them, housing alone isn’t enough.
At CCC, we’ve seen that some people need more support before they can succeed in long-term housing. That’s why we are exploring Engaged Social Housing as a potential approach for our region. This model would ensure that people with high acuity behavioral health needs have the chance to stabilize before moving into housing with lighter support. With the right care in place, people can recover, stay stable, and keep their housing.
What Is Engaged Social Housing?
Our proposed approach focuses on:
- Stability first. People leaving hospitals or treatment can move quickly into housing while continuing care. This helps them stay stable and prevents them from returning to homelessness.
- Housing with support. Residents are connected to on-site or nearby clinical and support teams. Dedicated financial help with rent is tied to engagement, so people get the care they need to stay stable.
- Clear pathways. Residents can step up to higher care when needed and return to housing when ready.
- Better matching. People are placed in housing that fits their needs, not just the next open apartment. When people get the right services, they are more likely to maintain their housing and independence.
This makes housing work better for both individuals and communities. It also frees up treatment and crisis beds by reducing backlogs.
Why This Matters
Some of this approach may sound familiar. Our region has adopted a Housing First strategy but has never had the right resources to deliver the outcomes we hoped for. The challenges of cheap and potent drugs, the pandemic, and high rents have stretched our Supportive Housing Services (SHS) funds too thin. Too many people are falling through the cracks. Some are released from hospitals back to shelters or the street, where their risks are high. Others that do get housing may not be ready for the level of independence our system can provide. Staff burnout, limited resources, and reduced government funding have reduced our tools. We must try something different.
What Needs to Change
- Protect and expand affordable housing
- Add more behavioral health programs, including treatment beds and crisis centers
- Strengthen case management and care teams
- Match people to the right type of housing
- Share data across health, housing, and homelessness systems
The bottom line is that housing saves lives. But housing must be paired with the right level of care for those who need it. Engaged Social Housing is our region’s roadmap for connecting housing and health, so people with the most complex needs can stabilize, recover, and thrive—while making the housing system stronger for everyone.
Join Us
Real solutions require real advocacy. Policy change is essential if we want to protect affordable housing, expand behavioral health programs, and create models like Engaged Social Housing that meet people where they are.
Here’s how you can help:
- Stay informed. Sign up for newsletters from your local, state, and federal elected officials.
- Engage locally. Attend public meetings and share your perspective on housing and health.
- Push for change. Write to your elected officials and hold them accountable.
Systems only change when people push for it. Together, we can make housing with the right care the standard.
