The number of partner organizations involved in providing and maintaining shelter operations is a key indicator of the collaborative effort needed to address homelessness in Portland. Shelters rely on a network of nonprofit organizations, service providers, and government agencies to offer essential resources such as case management, mental health support, housing navigation, and daily operations. These partnerships help ensure that shelters are not just places to sleep, but pathways to stability – connecting people to the services they need to transition out of homelessness. A strong network of partners enhances shelter capacity, improves service coordination, and strengthens the overall response to homelessness, making collaboration a crucial part of the city’s strategy to provide safe, effective, and sustainable shelter options.

The number of organizational partners working to provide and maintain homeless shelter operations in Portland is growing, reflecting a strengthened, collaborative approach to addressing homelessness. The City of Portland partners with a diverse network of nonprofits and governmental agencies, including the Multnomah County Homeless Service Department and Metro, to ensure shelters offer not only a safe place to stay but also access to critical services like case management, housing support, and behavioral support. As homelessness remains a pressing challenge, the City continues to expand its network of partners, fostering new collaborations to enhance service delivery, improve shelter capacity, and create more pathways to stable housing for those in need. While the above number reflects the contracts for site operations held by the City, more Shelter Services partners with a growing group of providers.

Partnership data is collected by reviewing contracts for City Shelter Service sites.

For more information on the City of Portland’s response to homelessness, please visit the Shelter Services webpage.  

For additional and more up to date data concerning Shelter Services’ deliverables, please visit the Shelter Services Data Dashboard.