Sponsor
Homeless Services Department, Multnomah County. With support from the Institute of Metropolitan Studies at Portland State University and the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health.
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
4-9-2026
Subjects
Homelessness -- United States -- Oregon, Homelessness -- Oregon -- Statistics, Homeless persons -- Oregon -- Census, Homelessness -- Government policy -- United States, Interviews
Abstract
As historic levels of funding to resolve and prevent homelessness draws down in Multnomah County, entities providing homeless services want to know the most effective ways of supporting people experiencing homelessness. The “Pathways” study aims to help answer that question. Through surveys and interviews, we sought to understand how people navigate their lives while homeless, and in particular how they interacted with homeless services. Overall, the findings reinforce what previous studies have found: people want housing, need housing to be affordable and within their means, and value helpful effective services. This report presents findings from surveys with 541 people with recent experiences of homelessness in Multnomah County. It will be followed by a second report in Summer 2026 that includes findings from in-depth interviews, looking more deeply at specific pathways through homelessness.
Rights
Copyright 2025 PSU Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative
Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44627
Citation Details
Conte, Kathleen P.; Laird, Amy; DuBoise, Desiree' J.; Avila, Susan; Bone, Carlton; Transformational Research for Equity and Experience in Shelter (TREES) Committee; and Zapata, Marisa, "The Pathways Study: Findings from Surveys of People with Recent Experience of Homelessness in Multnomah County" (2026). Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative Publications and Presentations. 55.
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44627