Clackamas County has witnessed a complex turn in its ongoing struggle with homelessness, according to the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) homeless count revealed today by the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners. While chronic homelessness has seen a noted decrease, the county is facing an influx of first-time homeless, many of whom are driven to the streets by the relentless grip of economic strain.
The PIT count, which took place on January 22, tallied 568 individuals living without stable shelter, marking an uptick from the last assessment. Despite this rise, the figures still represent a substantial drop from the higher numbers recorded in 2019. "Clackamas County has built a strong, comprehensive homelessness response system that continues to evolve and improve,” Clackamas County Chair Craig Roberts stated, emphasizing the strides made in combating long-term homelessness and the growing challenge posed by economic factors, as reported by the county's official website.
The county housed 2,213 homeless individuals in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, though 5,857 new cases emerged within the same timeframe. Clackamas County's response system, reinforced by measures such as the Supportive Housing Services Measure and the Governor’s Emergency Order on Homelessness, has relentlessly pursued a strategy that prioritizes the most vulnerable, including individuals grappling with chronic homelessness and the elderly.
The latest PIT count pointedly highlights an alarming trend: a surge in homelessness among young adults aged 18-34. Spiraling costs of living, instigated by inflation and a skyward trajectory for housing, utilities, and healthcare, continue to thrust a disproportionate burden onto the shoulders of the younger population. Tomorrow, the county will inaugurate Clackamas Village, a new shelter focused on providing a community and support for adults on the brink of reclaiming their lives from the cusp of homelessness.
Looking to the future, Clackamas County sets its sights on bolstering its strategy with additional rapid rehousing programs, resource centers, shelter expansions, and collaborative efforts with local municipalities. In the 2025–26 fiscal year, 451 affordable homes are slated to open, including the Hillside Park in Milwaukie which will offer 275 new homes.
