How many people experience homelessness here?

Clackamas County conducts an “homelessness count” every two years to help communities understand the current state of homelessness throughout the county. 

COVID-19 has presented difficulties in getting an accurate count for 2020, but looking at the January 2019 count tells us that:

• The number of people experiencing homelessness within Clackamas County was 1,166, a 9% increase from 2017
• Of this count, 48 adults were recorded here in Sandy
• There was a significant decrease in the number of unsheltered people counted, likely because Clackamas County operated more warming shelters during the winter of 2018-19. (The count includes anyone who doesn’t have permanent, stable housing.)
• Even with the decrease in unsheltered count, our county has still seen a 48% increase in how many people are struggling with chronic homelessness since the 2017 count.

Some facts about the current situation of homelessness in our county:

• Unaffordable rent, unemployment, eviction, interpersonal conflict (such as domestic violence) and mental or emotional health issues were the most common problems faced by those who told us what caused them to leave their last living arrangement
• People of color are disproportionately experiencing homelessness in our county
• The majority of those surveyed have been Clackamas County residents for two or more years, and primarily live in Oregon City, Clackamas, Molalla, Milwaukie, Sandy, Estacada or Canby