PDX Skill Swap Source
Restoring Agency with Options and Alternatives
PDX SKILL SWAP
These statistics show that homelessness is not simply about housing availability; it is also tied to economic opportunity, community support, and access to resources. Many individuals experiencing housing instability have valuable practical skills but lack opportunities to use those skills in ways that generate income or build community connections.
Across Oregon, the 2025 statewide count identified 27,119 people experiencing homelessness, with about 60% living unsheltered in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, sidewalks, or temporary camps.
In Multnomah County, which includes Portland, estimates suggest that over 15,000 people were experiencing homelessness in 2025, while emergency shelters only provide beds for a small portion of that population.
Housing affordability is a major driver of this crisis. Housing costs have risen dramatically in recent years, with some estimates showing rents increasing roughly 40% since 2021. At the same time, the supply of affordable housing has struggled to keep up with demand. Portland is estimated to need tens of thousands of additional affordable housing units over the next two decades to meet the needs of its growing population.
Portland is facing a growing housing and homelessness crisis that affects thousands of residents each year. According to the Portland State University Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative, the 2025 Point-in-Time count recorded 12,034 people experiencing homelessness across the Portland tri-county region (Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties). This represents a 61% increase from the 2023 count, highlighting how quickly the problem is growing.