For people living outside during dangerously hot weather, heat-focused street outreach can be a lifeline and a relief. That’s why Multnomah County coordinates enhanced street outreach during the hottest days of the year.
The Homeless Services Department, in coordination with the Office of Emergency Management, ensures outreach teams visit every corner of the County each day during a severe weather event to distribute life-saving supplies.
During the record-breaking heatwave this June, 37 community organizations engaged in that work. The County supplied the teams with 29,712 water bottles, 2,480 cooling towels, 3,100 electrolyte packets, 3,100 sunscreen packets and 1,240 reusable water bottles, all for distribution to people in need.
It’s one part of the County’s heat response. During the recent heat wave, the County also opened two dedicated cooling centers on June 15, joining dozens of cool spaces that were open in the community.
The Peer Company was among the outreach organizations helping the community on Monday, June 15. They provide outreach year-round with funding from the Homeless Services Department, but that day, their work was focused on making sure people stayed cool.
Outreach workers Matt and Les, both peer wellness specialists for The Peer Company, pulled a wagon stocked with water, sunscreen, electrolyte packets and cooling towels. Their day was spent mostly on foot, meeting people camped along multi-use paths, and searching for tucked-away tents at the top of grassy hills overlooking Interstate 205.
“Knock knock, street outreach! Do you want any water?” they called out.
Among the first people they encountered were Crystal and her husband, Chris, along with their two dogs.
Matt and Les talked with them about services available in the area, including the County’s dedicated cooling centers. They also handed Crystal and Chris extra water bottles to make sure they had enough for themselves and their dogs.
Crystal said the heat had been brutal, and that the outreach made a big difference. “It is a blessing,” she said.
“If you guys didn’t bring water, we wouldn’t be able to get any,” Chris said.
Taking care of people during weather emergencies is just one part of Matt and Les’ work. They’re out year-round, five days a week, helping connect people to other services, including detox and housing.
For them, this work is personal. They both grew up in this part of Southeast Portland, and both experienced homelessness here.
“Me and Matt, we went through the same stuff that all these people are going through,” Les said. “We have lived experience.”
The fact that they’ve been through it themselves and are longtime members of the community makes it easier to build trust — and to show that change is possible.
“It’s a blessing being a part of this, and being able to reach out and offer help,” Les said.
