By Living Room Realty, March 27, 2023
Rose Haven and Living Room Realty have been partnered since 2019, yet “the haven” has been a sanctuary for women and children in Portland since 1997. It all started when a few volunteers went under the bridges and into the streets to conduct a survey, asking women what they needed. Overwhelmingly the response was a safe place to go, where they could make healthy relationships, and meet their basic human needs with dignity. 25 years later, we are still offering programs based on our guest self-defined needs, and now welcome anyone marginalized by their gender. However, the needs in Portland are more critical than ever before.
According to the 2022 Multnomah County Point In Time Count 5,228 people are experiencing homelessness in this county. Since 2019, overall homelessness has increased by 30% and those living completely unsheltered (outside in tents, cars, or on the margins) has doubled; and we know these numbers are low due to the logistics of the count itself. The communities we serve are even more vulnerable to homelessness, especially as a result of gender-based violence. 69.8% of transgender people, 66.7% of gender non-conforming, and 59% of women experiencing homelessness also had a history of domestic violence. 43% of those reporting a history of domestic violence were also currently unsheltered. On top of that, we know the housing market has been red hot, making affordable housing a real challenge.
Rose Haven’s mission is to provide day shelter, resources, emotional support, and community connections to women, children, and marginalized genders experiencing homelessness and poverty. Our vision is a community where everyone has safety, stability, love, health, and home. 5 days a week they are serving up radical hospitality, offering the following services:
- Meals
- Showers and restrooms
- Clothing and supplies
- Laundry
- Safe Mailing Addresses
- Onsite clinic
- Technology lab
- Wellness activities
- Onsite community partner connection
- Community celebrations
- Advocacy support for financial aid, emotional support, and resource referral/navigation
As we celebrated 25 years of compassionate service in Portland, we also expanded into our dream home. After years in a church basement and adapting to an outdoor service model during the pandemic, this was truly a celebration. On March 8th, 2022 we opened the doors to our new home for the Haven, a 10,000 sq. ft. facility designed with a trauma-informed lens at 1740 NW Glisan St! Much of this growth is because of the support from the Loving Room Fund. Since 2019, Living Room Realty has contributed a total of $142,900! In 2022 alone, your efforts raised $61,777. Your gifts matter. In 2022 you helped Rose Haven served 3,523 of our neighbors experiencing poverty, offering the following services:
- Bus Tickets: 18265
- Clothing Shopping Visits: 4036
- Emergency Outfits: 8250
- Outdoor Supplies: 5431
- Hygiene Supplies: 7864
- First Aid Supplies: 331
- Pet Supplies 670
- Diapers: 695
- Coats: 947
- Meals: 39670
- Laundry: 390
- Showers: 2994
- Storage Area Use: 355
- Computer Lab: 309
- Art Therapy Classes:370
- Nurse Visits:2027
- Wellness:601
You also helped with emergency financial assistance. Here is the breakdown of bills we paid from 2022:
- Gas Cards: 266
- Monthly HC Bus Passes: 204
- Emergency Transportation: 38
- IDs: 207
- Eye Exam and Glasses Vouchers: 18
- Emergency Medical: 83
- Rental Applications: 36
- Utilities: 102
- Storage: 61
- Phone Payments: 290
- Education & Employment Fees: 120
The work is far from over though. We will be implementing a Mental Health Advocacy Program in 2023 that will bridge the gaps in mental health services to a population currently lacking accessibility. We all need to work together to heal people, and heal Portland.
Learn more about Rose Haven on their Website www.rosehaven.org
