Before HRAP

Revised: December 2018

By Sarah Owens and Michael Livingston

[Originally posted under the title, "More about Encampments"]

Courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Department

Courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Department

More that a year before the Salem Housing Authority (SHA) proposed the development of a formal Homeless Rental Assistance Program, its staff had been quietly working with Salem Police Department (SPD) officers to help residents off the streets and out of encampments and into permanent housing.

Below is a report from Nicole Utz, Housing Services Supervisor for Salem Housing Authority properties, that was written in the summer of 2016.  Through cooperative efforts like these between Salem Police, SHA, and area "campers", SHA was able to stably house about 40 individuals in 2016.  The City was not merely hopeful in launching HRAP in 2017 -- staff knew it could work.

"RM" is a Senior that was pretty much confined to a wheel chair. He was located during a walk through of the Marion Square Park and out of a group of 10-15, he was the one male willing to seek an alternative life for himself. RM has serious health issues that were compounded by the weather conditions he faced daily. He took my card and made contact with me through the downtown enforcement team. We learned he had a son who was also trying to find him housing. We worked with his son and case manager from NW Senior and Disability Services to advocate for him to be placed into an adult foster care home that could help provide for his needs. He is thriving considering his medical conditions. His son says he is doing well and has even put on weight. We will continue to check in on his progress.

"DN" and "RC" lived in Minto Brown Park for 1.5 years. I was introduced to them by the crime prevention department. I met with them at the park - reviewed their needs. We had them come to the office and review several options for their future and progress on their Social Security claim. They stayed in contact with us over the course of several months and complied with filling out all the paperwork necessary for waiting lists to different programs. In July they received good news and their disability claim was awarded. We were able to work with them and a payee to secure them in permanent affordable housing. They are adapting to the change well - we will also continue to work and check in with them in the future.

"GH" is a Senior male who became homeless after a change in his disability benefits for Social Security when he reached the age of 65. GH had been at UGM for a year and previous to this he was camped out on the Santiam River for a year or so. After a quick assessment on his situation we helped GH ensure he was on all available waiting lists for affordable and subsidized housing. We reviewed his social security concerns with his case manager. GH complied with all the requirements, documentation and paperwork that was requested of him. GH finally came to the top of the list for a Senior complex and was placed last week. He is ecstatic and enjoying his peaceful new home.