The leading causes of homelessness according to the National Center on Homelessness and Poverty are:

• Insufficient income
• Poverty
• Lack of affordable housing
• Mental illness
• Substance abuse
• Foreclosures
• Domestic violence

It is important to remember that homelessness affects our community at all levels including our youth, families, people fleeing unsafe living situations.

Much like the rest of the U.S., Salem is experience rising levels of homelessness. The City of Salem strives to create a safe and livable community for all our residents, including people experiencing homelessness. There are many reasons a person may find themselves homeless. Contributing factors include limited access to mental health support, addiction, loss of wages or employment, and limited affordable housing. The City of Salem alone cannot solve homelessness in our community. We need to work together to design programs to help prevent homelessness, create more support for those transitioning to permanent housing, develop more affordable housing, and reduce barriers for those trying to get into housing and transitional or emergency shelter. Housing and homelessness are one of our City's priorities and part of the Council policy agenda.

There are many organizations in the City of Salem that accept monetary and tangible donations to support our local homeless population. The City supports this act of kindness but cautions against dropping off tangible goods at unauthorized donation locations, as these types of donations may contribute to the accrual of waste in our public spaces. We suggest reaching out or visiting the webpage before you head down with your donation items. (The list below is considered comprehensive but not exhaustive.)

• Taylor House, part of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, a home for teens and young people who are homeless or in foster care. 503-391-6428
• The Center for Hope and Safety which serves victims and survivors of domestic abuse 503-378-1572 or donations@hopeandsafety.org
• Simonka Place, part of Union Gospel Mission, a women's shelter for area homeless in Keizer. 503-362-7487
• Union Gospel Mission – shelter and service provider
• Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, a social service organization helping area homeless.
• Shangri-La, serving people with disabilities who are also experiencing homelessness.
• Be Bold Street Ministries, in-person street outreach team
• ARCHES
• Salem Warming Network
• United Way of Willamette Valley
• Church at the Park

The City focuses on removing accumulated trash in City-owned areas and working with other private or public property owners in our community to remove waste; however, certain public spaces where people gather for shelter are not managed by the City. For example, the Oregon Department of Transportation manages our freeways and rights of way. The City of Salem and the Oregon Department of Transportation communicate routinely.

Report concerns about homelesseness

First, discourage trespassing:

• Post no-trespassing signs.
• Maintain your property perimeter with fencing, good lighting and other security measures. Strategic Projects Grants for businesses may be eligible for to help in some areas.
• If an illegal encampment appears on your property, you have the right to courteously ask people to leave.

Contact the Salem Police non-emergency number for assistance at 503-588-6123 to report health and welfare concerns about a homeless encampment or individual, you may reach out to Northwest Health and Human Services. If you have concerns abourt illegal camping, accumulated garbage or abandoned cars, you may report it online.

In fiscal year 2022-23, more than $23.7 million in one-time American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds were spent by the City on homelessness-related services, funding for needed infrastructure. No City resources were spent. In the 2022 Community Survey, addressing homelessness was the top community priority for city services.

What are the City and its partners accomplishing?

• The City invested in three micro-shelter villages.
• To-date we and our partners have helped 432 people move to more more positive destinations
• The City invested in a navigation center. In its first year, it served 157 guests. Of the 103 people who exited the cnter in its first year, 52% were moved to permanent housing.
• The City’s staff removes an average of 23 tons of trash from city public spaces each month.
• Offered free building plans to encourage more accessory dwellings and expand housing options.
• Preserved the affordability of 224 housing units at Orchard Park.
• Added 142 units of supportive housing at Redwood Crossings, Yaquina Hall and Sequoia Crossings
• Provided land for affordable cottage rental housing for older residents

What about open fire pits or building fires for warmth in our parks and on our sidewalks?

Our Fire Department should respond on fires that appear out of control, are on a sidewalk, in a parking structure or next to a building.

It is not illegal to live in any community without shelter. People who are experiencing homelessness and who break a law, like others in the community who break a law, can be subject to consequences like tickets or arrest. To report concerns related to living outdoors, or garbage piles, please use the City’s online portal.