PORTLAND, Ore. — It’s now easier for homeless people to get connected to an outreach worker. All they have to do is call 311. It’s a city program that launched about three weeks ago and so far, there have been 397 entries into the city’s database system. Some apply to the same person as people can update their location.
By calling 311, anyone can be referred to an outreach worker who will then help connect people to services like shelter and treatment. But first they must find them, which can be difficult to do given the nature of homeless camping in Portland always being on the move.
“It’s a nightmare literally once you’re stuck out here. I’ve done literally everything to try and work, and keep myself off the streets,” said Jody who tried calling 311 on Wednesday. “I think that’s a lot better than 211 if you can call, and have somebody actually that cares, come to you because a lot of people out here don’t,” she said of the program.
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The mayor’s office sent KGW the following statement:
"In the first two weeks (2/22-3/7) of the program, 311 handled 139 calls related to the City Street Outreach Program. The program has helped multiple individuals connect to shelter and other services. The Mayor's office has received feedback from community members who used the program and were happy to see outreach respond and connect an individual to services. They have provided good feedback on their experience, and we are using this type of feedback to improve the process. Overall, we think this program has shown there is a need for this kind of responsive outreach, and that the idea of meeting a person where they are at, when they are asking for help, is yielding positive outcomes."