The Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative: Case Studies of the Social Innovation Process at a University Research Center

Purpose This paper aims to determine whether a combined set of process models for university contributions to social innovation can be effectively used to describe how higher education institutions facilitate and disseminate research for social value. Design/methodology/approach The author applies Cunha and Benneworth’s (2013) social innovation process model, with additions from the Nichols et al. (2013) model of campus-community collaboration and the Jain et al. (2020) social value framework, to a pair of case studies at Portland State University about research projects on homelessness. Information was gathered through primary sources, observation and secondary texts. Findings Applying the models to the case studies provides additional detail on the types and value of Portland State University’s contributions to addressing homelessness through social innovation. The models are found to be effective in describing and providing guidance for social innovation research projects at other higher education institutions. Research limitations/implications The models may have widespread applicability in understanding or designing university contributions to social innovation, but additional case studies and analysis are needed to understand the full range of project types and institutional contexts to which they can be successfully applied. Originality/value The projects described in the paper’s case studies have not been analyzed elsewhere using social innovation frameworks and are valuable in their own right as social innovations worthy of replication. The findings of the paper extend the applicability of a process model for university contributions to social innovation

Oregon Statewide Homelessness Estimates 2022

Executive Summary: This report presents county-level estimates of people experiencing homelessness in Oregon in 2022 relying on data from the Point-in-Time (PIT) count. The PIT count is, in essence, a census of people experiencing literal homelessness–those either living without shelter, in an emergency shelter, or in certain forms of transitional housing. The PIT count is conducted by the eight Continuums of Care (CoCs) in Oregon, which are government/nonprofit groups that administer federal funding to address homelessness. The 2022 PIT count listed 17,912 people as experiencing literal homelessness on a single night in January. The data suggest that there was little change in the sheltered homeless population between 2021 and 2022, with a decrease from 6,871 to 6,821. The PIT data also suggest that the unsheltered homeless population fell from 13,428 to 11,091. The change should be interpreted with caution, however, since there are persistent inconsistencies in how the PIT data are collected from year to year and place to place. In addition, the 2021 data used in this report are themselves estimates generated for that year’s report. Those estimates were necessary due to the multiple Continuums of Care (CoCs) that did not conduct a full PIT count in 2021. The most obvious pattern that emerges from a comparison of county-level 2021 estimates and 2022 data is that over this period the population of people experiencing homelessness, particularly sheltered homelessness, grew in most of the larger counties in the state but fell in most of the rest of the state. Unfortunately, the methodological differences mentioned above make it difficult to determine if this trend reflects actual changes in the population, if it is the result of different approaches to the PIT, or both. The report also includes data from the Oregon Department of Education that uses a much broader definition of homelessness than that employed in the PIT. Though these data only cover school-age children, it is possible to make an approximate comparison between those estimates and those of children in the PIT. The results of that comparison suggests that the PIT vastly underestimates the number of children experiencing all forms of homelessness in Oregon. Statewide, the McKinney-Vento estimate was 8.5 times larger than the PIT estimate. Finally, an analysis of the Housing Inventory Count (HIC) shows that statewide there were only 8,640 beds available to serve a homeless population of 17,912, meaning that there were more than twice as many people experiencing homelessness as there were shelter beds. This statewide trend was seen in 35 of the 36 counties in the state, suggesting that the shortfall affects all parts of the state including large metropolitan and smaller rural counties

2023 Oregon Statewide Homelessness Estimates

Executive Summary excerpt: The Point-In-Time (PIT) count is a census of people experiencing both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness on a single night in January. The federal government requires this as a condition of funding it distributes to Continuums of Care (CoCs), networks of government agencies and service providers that manage homelessness services and funding in specific regions. Oregon has eight CoCs, five of which manage their own PIT count, which leads to variation in methodology and completeness. The PIT count’s accuracy is further reduced because it only captures homelessness on a single night, missing changes throughout the year, and uses a fairly restrictive definition of homelessness limited to “sheltered” (people living in an emergency shelter or some forms of transitional housing) or “unsheltered” (“a place not meant for human habitation”1 such as a sidewalk, tent, car, etc.) Because of these issues with the count, the federal government recommends that it not be relied on as a definitive total and should be used with additional data sources.2 This report summarizes the 2023 PIT count data, as well as the Housing Inventory Count (HIC) data on shelter and housing bed totals for people experiencing or exiting homelessness, as reported by Oregon CoCs. The report also includes the number of children enrolled in Oregon schools who were reported by districts as experiencing homelessness under a definition that includes PIT count criteria as well as children doubled-up with other families by necessity rather than choice. While CoCs report only by Continuum, and schools only by district, here the totals are reported by CoC and county. The 2023 PIT count recorded 20,110 people experiencing homelessness across Oregon on a single night in January, of which 13,004 were unsheltered and 7,106 were sheltered. Homelessness increased by 8.5 percent overall from 2022, with unsheltered homelessness increasing 17.2 percent and sheltered homelessness increasing 4.2 percent. These increases mirror a national trend, with homelessness across the country rising 12 percent from 2022 to 2023, but Oregon had the second-highest rate of unsheltered homelessness (at 65% of all people experiencing homelessness) and the highest rates of family homelessness and unaccompanied, unsheltered youth homelessness.3 In Oregon, Clatsop and Sherman Counties had the highest rates of both overall homelessness and unsheltered homelessness per 1,000 residents (Map 1 and Table 2).4 Multnomah County had the highest total number of people experiencing homelessness (Table 1), but at a lower rate than some rural counties.

PSU Student Housing Insecurity Interim Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Project Background This study on student housing insecurity and homelessness was funded as part of a HUD FY2023 Community Project Funding Opportunity awarded to Portland State University. Phase 1 of the study, which led to this report by PSU’s Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative (HRAC), includes a literature review; a summary of PSU student survey results; a description of PSU programs based on interviews with staff and administrators; an analysis of programs at other institutions; and a set of recommendations for better addressing student housing needs. Phase 2 of the study will include the results of a comprehensive student survey on housing insecurity and homelessness to be conducted this fall, as well as a pair of reports by outside consultants on options for creating additional student housing and addressing policy barriers to effectively meeting student housing needs. Student Housing Insecurity PSU conducted in-depth surveys of student basic needs, including housing insecurity and homelessness, in 2019 and 2020, and has included a question on housing insecurity in the Student Experience Survey every year since 2020. The 2019 and 2020 survey results showed that up to 16% of PSU students had recently experienced homelessness, while housing insecurity has consistently been as high as 47% over the past five years, with a temporary decline in 2021 that may have been a result of COVID pandemic relief. Research studies have shown that housing insecurity and homelessness have negative impacts on academic performance, persistence, and graduation rates, while the provision of free housing has been demonstrated to positively impact persistence and graduation. Student Barriers Homelessness and housing insecurity disproportionately affect PSU students who have experienced other challenges in their lives, particularly systemic racism and discrimination. This includes students of color (especially Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Native American, and Pacific Islander students), LGBTQ students, neurodiverse students, students with disabilities, students formerly in foster care, parenting students, veterans, international students, undocumented students, transfer students, first-generation students, and Pell Grant recipients. In short, a significant proportion of all PSU students fall within groups that are more likely to experience barriers to housing insecurity, but their diverse experiences and identities require a spectrum of equity-centered approaches to address their specific needs. Current Programs PSU has implemented a range of successful, evidence-driven programs to help address student housing insecurity and homelessness: vouchers for temporary placement in University Place Hotel and local motels; a student-only shelter, The Landing, in partnership with a local church; a free housing pilot for Summer Bridge Program students; student emergency funds and assistance for SNAP-enrolled students Recommendations The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides a guidebook for addressing student housing insecurity in higher education, which should be used in conjunction with the Education Northwest Basic Needs Services Implementation Rubric. The recommendations listed below, based on PSU interviews, conversations with national experts, and published literature, would help PSU substantially address current gaps in addressing student needs and implementing best practices and federal guidance. These items will be revised and updated based on the results of the student survey in fall. Center Equity in All Programs: given disparate rates of housing insecurity and homelessness, an equity lens that centers race while incorporating other factors of identity and experience is essential. Students, student resource centers, and the Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion should be engaged in program design, implementation, and evaluation. It is critical to identify Provide Free and Subsidized Housing: although this will be fully addressed in the other reports for this project, student housing insecurity cannot be fully addressed without both free and subsidized housing. PSU does not currently offer free and subsidized student housing at the level recommended in research literature and implemented by many other institutions. Expand Funding for Current Programs: funding should be sufficient not only to sustain programs, but to fully address the direct costs of student needs and to ensure appropriate staffing levels and staff expertise. Unify Emergency Fund Applications: PSU offers a wide set of emergency funds, but differences in eligibility and application requirements create unnecessary barriers and confusion for students. Fund managers should develop a unified application that can route student requests based on eligibility. Enhance Program Coordination: the numerous programs, centers, and offices that help to address student housing needs should hold regular meetings to facilitate coordination, work to ensure that all academic advisors are aware of basic needs services, and proactively identify and reach out to students who may be in need. Use Pell Grant Eligibility as a Proxy for Need: Pell Grant eligibility can be used as a uniform method to identify and proactively engage with students who may be experiencing or at higher risk of housing insecurity. Ensure Comprehensive Outreach: basic needs services and resources should be communicated to students, faculty, and staff through a comprehensive campaign that includes on-campus events, digital communication, syllabus statements, and partnerships with student government and organizations

SeQuential: Sustainability and Growth in the Biofuels Business

SeQuential, a vertically-integrated biodiesel company based in Portland, Oregon, pursued a more sustainable supply and production strategy than many competitors by securing inputs from used cooking oil (UCO) rather than new crops. A fragmented U.S. biodiesel industry produced more than 1.25 billion gallons of the fuel in 2016 from a mix of virgin materials and UCO, but the environmental impact of crop-based biodiesel was increasingly controversial. Meanwhile, UCO collection had grown rapidly in recent years, and with strong forecasted growth, offered a potential additional revenue stream for vertically-integrated biodiesel firms. The price of the UCO used to produce SeQuential’s biodiesel and the fuel itself were driven by commodity indices, creating a highly volatile market. In addition, industry profitability was heavily reliant on government support. This support was manifested through funding for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and tax credits. The recent election of a U.S. President publicly opposed to climate change mitigation, and the re-election of a sympathetic U.S. Congress, worsened perennial uncertainty around the renewal of these policies. Tyson Keever, President and CEO of SeQuential, had guided the company through a period of major growth and vertical integration by overseeing a series of regional mergers and acquisitions. As a result, the company now faced growing pains linked to employee turnover, operational integration and efficiency, and instilling a culture of sustainability in all SeQuential employees. At the same time, SeQuential was developing a new strategy for future growth, while attempting to mitigate increased regulatory and market uncertainty. In this case, students are tasked with developing a series of strategic, mission-aligned growth proposals that address these challenges

Alternative Shelter Evaluation Report

This report summarizes research by Portland State University’s Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative for the Joint Office of Homeless Services on the cost, participant experiences, and client outcomes in village-style and motel shelters as compared to each other and to traditional, congregate shelters

PSU Student Housing Insecurity Report

This study on student housing insecurity and homelessness was funded as part of a HUD FY2023 Community Project Funding Opportunity awarded to Portland State University. Phase 1 of the study included a literature review; a summary of past PSU student survey results; a description of PSU programs based on interviews with staff and administrators; an analysis of programs at other institutions; and a set of recommendations for better addressing student housing needs. Phase 2 of the study incorporated the results of a comprehensive student survey on housing insecurity and homelessness conducted in fall 2023. Additional reports by outside consultants on options for creating additional student housing and addressing policy barriers to effectively meeting student housing needs will be released in 2024

2023 Point in Time Findings Report: Count of People Experiencing Homelessness in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties, Oregon

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires localities to complete an annual census-style count of people experiencing homelessness in their jurisdictions. This count, called the Point in Time (PIT) Count, enumerates the number and characteristics of individuals and family households who are experiencing homelessness. In 2023, the Portland, Oregon tri-county region collaborated for the first time and jointly created, administered, and analyzed the count data. The Tri-County 2023 PIT Count report presents findings from this first regional count of people experiencing homelessness

Hygiene, Storage, and Waste Management for the Unsheltered Community: Gaps & Opportunities Analysis

This study, completed in early February 2022, included focus groups and interviews with 18 government employees and service providers, interviews with 19 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, a review of research literature and news articles on the topic, and previous surveys and research from Portland State University to better understand gaps and opportunities in providing hygiene, storage and waste management to people living unsheltered

Fight, Flight, Freeze: How Access to Support Shapes Tenant Responses to Eviction in Multnomah County

Facing eviction is a traumatic event that forces tenants into a fight, flight or freeze response. Our focus groups with Multnomah County tenants reveal that their responses to eviction are directly shaped by their access to support. Many tenants are unable to access formal support and therefore respond to eviction by freezing up or fleeing their home. Conversely, tenants who can access formal support—including rental assistance or legal assistance—exhibit a fight response, leveraging external support to challenge or avoid their eviction