The shockingly large number of people experiencing homelessness in Portland has been at a crisis level for years — and over and over again, surveys show it’s the biggest concern among people in the city and across Oregon.

That includes results from the annual Portland Metro Chamber Economy Survey released Thursday. Voters in Portland again ranked homelessness, affordable housing, cost of living and safety as the most critical issues facing the Rose City.

The Portland Metro Chamber contracted with independent Portland firm DHM Research to survey 700 registered voters in the metro area about how they view the region’s economy. DHM conducted the survey from Dec. 12-20, and it has a 3.7% margin of error. The two organizations have been conducting the poll for more than a dozen years.

Survey shows Portland voters think city is going in wrong direction

“We traditionally ask an open-ended question so people can say whatever they want, ‘what is the No. 1 issue that they believe should be addressed in our area at this time?’” Michelle Neiss, president at DHM Research, explained to reporters in a briefing on the survey.

Homelessness is by far the top choice with 35% of respondents describing it as the main problem in Portland. Affordable housing and safety come in next with 18% and 12% respectively.

Neiss said homelessness has come in at the top for several years.

It’s not just perception — the City of Portland estimates the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness increased by 65% from 2015 through 2023. More recent federal numbers show Oregon overall saw a 13% increase in people experiencing homelessness last year alone.

How homelessness in Oregon started, grew and became a statewide crisis

Lack of affordable housing is the main driver of homelessness in Oregon. State data released in November indicates Oregon is short about 128,000 affordable housing units for people considered extremely or very low-income.

DHM Research asked respondents about their personal finances compared to two years ago, and 45% said they were worse off, and less than 20% said they were better off. When looking to the future, 46% said the economic opportunities are poor for their families in the Portland region, while 42% said the outlook was good.

Andrew Hoan, president of the Portland Metro Chamber, says the results are not surprising.

Oregon’s first statewide housing report paints grim portrait of affordability

“We should borrow the axiom, ‘it’s the economy, stupid,’” Hoan told reporters. “It does matter — and it is driving huge issues here in our community about being able to afford and have a vibrant place to live.”

The survey results come as the Oregon Legislature begins its 2025 legislative session. Gov. Tina Kotek has identified addressing homelessness and low housing supply as main priorities for the session. The Portland Metro Chamber lobbies in Salem on behalf of its more than 2,000 member businesses and organizations.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/01/30/portland-voters-survey-homelessness/