Thousands of Families Housed.
Hundreds of Thousands of Lives Touched.

1988
Human Solutions was formed from the Multnomah County Community Action Agency and provided senior services, housing and utility assistance.

1990
Human Solutions began to focus on services to homeless and low-income families after reviewing the needs in the community and the changes in Multnomah County.

1992
Human Solutions opened a family emergency shelter in Gresham, which was the first such facility in the county and due greatly to the community’s collective effort. “The Closet” was opened by volunteers to provide free clothing to low income families at this location.

1994
A computer training center was opened by Human Solutions, and employment readiness classes were offered, which included the Pathfinder Program developed for prisoners.

1995
By this year, Human Solutions was already operating five housing complexes to offer permanent and transitional housing services. The need for Spanish and Russian translators became apparent and Human Solutions increased its effort to hire bilingual staff.

1996
Human Solutions opened an additional office in Rockwood to offer more services to the community.

1997
Human Solutions received the Excellence in Housing Award from the State of Oregon Office of Housing and Community Services. In this same year, the Rockwood Community Development Project was initiated to involve area residents in shaping their community so that members obtain further education, start a small business, or save up to purchase a home.

1998
Human Solutions was approached to partner in developing its 8th housing complex –a 74 unit building where Human Solutions would provide supportive services to families who live there.

2000
Human Solutions started construction on its 9th and then largest housing project to date, Park Vista -a 59 unit building for both small and large families.

2004
Human Solutions partnered with community agencies to provide school-based and school-linked services to the many families and their children, one of those services being the SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) system. We also began fundraising for The Rockwood Building, a multi service center and affordable housing in the Rockwood neighborhood.

2005
Human Solutions moved to its current location at 12350 SE Powell, and began new programs such as: Homes Not Beds, and the Successful Solutions Partnership/Helping Hands Community Store and Training Center. Also, the CRAFT/ARTE domestic violence support groups began, providing a new model of support for women and children who are experiencing or have recently escaped from domestic violence.

2006
Human Solutions opened its newest housing site, Lincoln Woods with 70 units of affordable apartments with 3-5 bedrooms to accomodate larger multi-generational families. Several programs were created to better serve homeless and very low income residents of Gresham and Portland. Employment and Economic development programs like Peer Supported Solutions and Living Solutions help parents with significant barriers to employment by building skills to obtain living wage careers. Bridges to Housing is an innovative service model combining permanent housing subsidy and two years of intensive services for homeless families. Human Solutions also partnered with Outside In and the Portland Women’s Crisis Line to provide medical and outreach services for homeless persons in an underserved areas.

2008
Human Solutions celebrated its 20th Anniversary serving Mid and East Multnomah County. New programs included a Somali speaking school advocate based at Lincoln Woods, to ensure children's successful transition into schools in Multnomah County.

2010
Human Solutions completes renovation on Arbor Glen, begins construction on The Rockwood Building and opens an Annex to the Portland office to meet our community’s need for increased support in overcoming poverty. We currently operate at full capacity, and we strive to strengthen our programs, so they can support as many families as possible.

2011
Human Solutions selects a new tagline: building pathways out of poverty. This year 22 apartments are added to the organization's inventory with the purchase of a complex near the Portland office on 122nd Avenue. With the completion of The Rockwood Building, Human Solutions now owns and rents 608 units of affordable housing in Mid and East Multnomah County. The Rockwood Building opens in early October, with 47 apartments and 23,000 square feet of Multi Service Center office space for Human Solutions and five community partners.

Need help?

If you are in need of affordable housing, job training, computer classes, eviction prevention, move-in assistance, energy assistance, or other resources to address poverty and/or homelessness, please call 503-548-0200, or 503-405-7875 Mon through Fri, 8 to 5.