Stabilization Pathway

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    This wiki is a privately-researched directory and should be used for informational purposes only.  Directory listings are not an official or authorized web presence for any of these organizations, and PortlandHomeless.net is not a mediary for any organization listed herein.  Contact agencies directly with any questions or comments meant for them.
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This is a very rough draft flow chart/pathway to stabilization. The purpose is to help visualize the services that the agencies in this wiki provide. Some specialize in early phase outreach, some specialize in later phase housing and employment needs. The first lesson is that not every agency serves every step or phase--they tend to specialize. If they do cover more steps, then they usually do it through different departments within their organization. This wiki development has taken that into consideration and has tried to give each department its own highlighting format. How that will be integrated below remains to be seen as this edit process continues.

Pathway: From Housing Instability to Sustained Independence

This model outlines common pathways from homelessness or housing instability to long-term housing and employment stability. Individuals may enter at different starting points. Movement through the system is not always linear. Some Housing First models skip the stabilization steps (Steps 3-5) and go straight to housing (Step 6). This had led to some complaints of temporary housing not being the complete "fix" it is meant to be, leaving some "housed" but not "helped." That is a debate for another time.

Phase I – Entry & Crisis Engagement

Step 1A – Substance Use Disorder

Opioid or other substance addiction contributing to housing loss or instability.

Step 1B – Economic Displacement

Job loss, rent increases, eviction, or insufficient wages.

Step 1C – Mental Health Crisis

Untreated depression, psychosis, PTSD, or severe anxiety affecting housing stability.

Step 1D – Domestic Violence / Family Breakdown

Leaving unsafe or unstable living conditions.

Step 1E – Medical Crisis or Disability

Illness, injury, or inability to maintain employment.

Step 1F – Re-Entry from Jail or Prison

Housing barriers related to criminal history and lack of support systems.

Step 2 – Crisis Contact or Outreach

Initial engagement through street outreach, emergency shelter intake, hospital discharge, law enforcement diversion, or self-referral.

Step 3 – Immediate Stabilization

Basic safety needs are addressed, including shelter, food access, overdose prevention (if applicable), medical triage, and safety planning.

Phase II – Assessment & Targeted Intervention

Step 4 – Comprehensive Assessment

Evaluation of housing barriers, income status, health needs, behavioral health conditions, legal issues, and identification documentation.

Step 5 – Targeted Intervention

Services matched to identified needs, which may include:

Addiction treatment and medication support

Mental health treatment

Domestic violence advocacy

Medical stabilization

Employment services

Legal assistance

Not all individuals require all interventions.

Phase III – Housing & Economic Stabilization

Step 6 – Temporary Housing Support

Emergency shelter, transitional housing, diversion programs, or rapid re-housing placements.

Step 7 – Income Stabilization

Employment placement, job training, disability benefits (SSI/SSDI), or other income supports.

Step 8 – Financial Capability Development

Budgeting skills, credit repair, savings planning, and tenant education to reduce future housing risk.

Phase IV – Permanent Stability & Community Integration

Step 9 – Permanent Housing Placement

Market-rate units, voucher-supported housing, income-restricted housing, or permanent supportive housing.

Step 10 – Employment Stabilization

Job retention support, advancement planning, transportation stability, and workplace conflict resolution as needed.

Step 11 – Ongoing Support (As Needed)

Light-touch case management, peer support, landlord mediation, and continued access to healthcare or behavioral health services.

Step 12 – Sustained Independence & Community Integration

Long-term housing retention, stable income, reduced reliance on crisis systems, and integration into community networks.

Important Note: Progress is rarely linear. Individuals may move backward or forward between steps due to relapse, job loss, health crises, or housing market conditions. Effective systems allow re-entry without restarting from the beginning.


SERVICES


COUNTIES, CITIES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS
  Clackamas County
  CanbyClackamasColtonEstacadaGladstoneHappy ValleyLake OswegoMilwaukieMolallaOak GroveOregon CityPortlandSandyWelchesWest LinnWilsonville
  Clackamas County Neighborhoods
  Multnomah County
  FairviewGreshamPortland
  Multnomah County Neighborhoods
  Washington County
  AlohaBanksBeavertonCorneliusForest GroveGastonHillsboroNorth PlainsPortlandSherwoodTigardTualatin
  Washington County Neighborhoods
  Note: Agency neighborhoods were determined by zip code and may not reflect the exact neighborhood the agency is in.  It is merely an approximation until the exact agency neighborhood can be updated at a future date.


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