Compassion Center's Center for Incubation & Findings Research (CIFR)

Welcomes You to www.OregonHousingCrisis.org | CIFR: IHP.Institute's Oregon Housing Crisis Online Resource Center and Investigation Webpage

Investigating a National Houselessness Crisis, Focusing on Oregon

An Overview of the United States Housing Crisis:

The United States is facing an unprecedented homeless crisis, with millions of individuals and families struggling to find stable housing. This crisis is not just a national issue but is a particularly severe one in Oregon, where the rate of houselessness is among the highest in the country and it is continuing to grow. Despite efforts to mitigate the problem, many barriers and disparities continue to stand in the way, hindering access to safer and affordable housing, especially for underserved, indigent, and vulnerable communities.

At CIFR: Institute of Houselessness Prevention, we are dedicated to confronting these challenges head-on. Our mission is to shine a light on the systemic issues that contribute to houselessness and to advocate on a state and federal level for the rights of those most affected by housing discrimination. From predatory property management practices to the complex web of socio-economic barriers, we are committed to finding disruptive solutions and dissolving systems in order to ensure everyone has affordable access to safe and stable home. Regardless of an individual’s circumstances, financial situation, disability or otherwise, the problem is real and it is not going to fix itself, nor will it be fixed by the landlords who continue to profit by taking several applications on the same property knowing that only one family will qualify, further wasting precious resources and time. While hitting these deep-rooted issues head-on is going to be an expensive and otherwise daunting task, that will obviously take countless hours of legal, scientific and data analysis, simply sitting on the sidelines will unfortunately just allow the predatorial property managers that continue to get richer off the backs of underserved, indigent and marginalized communities to continue getting richer while causing more and more complex problems for our most vulnerable populations. 

 

Oregon’s Unique Challenges:

Oregon, a state known for its natural beauty and progressive policies, is also grappling with a growing housing crisis. The state’s urban centers, particularly Portland, have seen a significant increase in the number of people living without shelter. This rise is fueled by a combination of high housing costs, insufficient affordable housing options, and systemic discrimination that disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

At CIFR: IHP, we recognize that Oregon’s housing crisis is a microcosm of the larger national issue. However, we also recognize that the unique challenges faced by Oregonians require targeted solutions that address the specific needs of the state’s most vulnerable residents. We work tirelessly with local nonprofit organizations, government agencies and officials, as well as local municipalities and counties to identify and dismantle the barriers that keep people from securing stable housing, further advocating for policy changes and providing resources to those in need.

 

CIFR: Institute of Houselessness Prevention’s Mission:

The CIFR: Institute of Houselessness Prevention is committed to:

  • Advocacy: Championing the rights of the houseless and those at risk of becoming houseless, with a focus on ending housing discrimination, lobbying for underserved and marginalized communities in both legislative, and Congressional chambers, standing up, especially when the voices of special interests start getting too loud.
  • Research: Conducting thorough investigations on a local, county and state level to dig into the root causes of houselessness and examine the impacts of housing policies.
  • Support: Providing underserved, indigent, and vulnerable communities resources, and assistance for individuals and families in their search for stable housing, including but not limited to additional referrals for transitional programs, addiction services, mental health and integrative healthcare in order to restore mind-body-spirit-wholeness.
  • Education: Aligning with local community leaders, raising awareness about the housing crisis and the disparities faced by vulnerable communities, both nationally and within Oregon, and just how those numbers trickle down to impact the communities that we all proudly call home.

CIFR: Institute of Houselessness Prevention’s Vision

Our vision is a world where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. We believe that housing is a basic human right, and we are dedicated to ensuring that this right is upheld for all, regardless of socio-economic status, race, or background. 
 

CIFR: Institute of Houselessness Prevention’s Approach

At CIFR: IHP, we take a multi-faceted approach to addressing the houselessness crisis. Our work is rooted in research, advocacy, and direct support. We believe that by understanding the root causes of houselessness and the specific challenges faced by underserved communities, we can create meaningful change.

  • Research: We conduct in-depth studies to understand the socio-economic and systemic factors that contribute to houselessness. Our research informs our advocacy efforts and helps us develop targeted interventions.
  • Advocacy: We fight for policy changes at the local, state, and national levels to protect the rights of those experiencing or at risk of houselessness. Our advocacy work is informed by the lived experiences of those most affected by the housing crisis.
  • Support: We provide direct assistance to individuals and families in need, helping them navigate the often complex and overwhelming process of securing housing. Our support services are tailored to meet the unique needs of vulnerable populations. 

About CIFR: Center for Incubation & Findings Research

The Compassion Center, and the Center for Incubation & Findings Research (CIFR) is a pioneering research institute dedicated to addressing some of the most pressing social, economic, environmental and health challenges of our time. Headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, CIFR is committed to fostering disruptive innovations and solutions that drive meaningful change in communities both locally and globally. Our mission is to uncover the root causes of societal issues, develop actionable insights, and implement programs and policies that lead to the overall improvement of quality of life for all, with a special focus on vulnerable, indigent and underserved populations.

 

About CIFR: Institute of Houselessness Prevention (IHP)

 

Who We Are

The CIFR: Institute of Houselessness Prevention (IHP) is a dedicated branch of the Center for Incubation & Findings Research (CIFR), focused on addressing the complex and interrelated issues that lead to houselessness, mental instability and dis-ease. Under the leadership and oversight of CIFR’s Chief Research Administrator, and Lobbyist, Mr. James “J.B.” Creel, PgM, each of CIFR’s associated research institutes and research fellows are committed to working in concert with one another to uncover the systemic barriers that prevent individuals and families from accessing safe and stable housing, affordable mental health, healthcare, food security, clean water and/or environmental sustainability. 

We work closely with communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that combat housing discrimination and promote equity in the housing market.