Preventing Homelessness

Ashley Bans - July 20, 2018 

The Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) is a nonprofit organization located in Portland, Oregon. Their goal is to get homeless families with children a place to live for as long as they can. Their Prevention and Diversion project targets families that have a possibility of becoming homeless or are currently homeless without having families get on the Multnomah County’s waitlist for housing. They currently have two shelters open that are used for the homeless families called Goose Hollow Family Shelter and Thirteen Salmon Family Center. The Goose Hollow Family shelter opened in 1994 while the Thirteen Salmon Family Center opened in 2009. These shelters include sleeping spaces, meals/snacks, showers, laundry, storage, games/toys, internet, computers, and printers. The Thirteen Salmon Family Center also includes connection to mental health services, Domestic Violence advocacy, and many other services. PHFS had to operate an emergency winter family shelter from December 11, 2017 to April 30, 2018 that helped 75 moms, dads, and kids. With the help from volunteers and donations, they are hoping to continue helping families in need. For more information about PHFS, please visit http://www.pdxhfs.org/ or call 211 if you know someone who needs shelter.