Housing & Support Services

1. Marie Equi Center Location: Brooklyn neighborhood, Southeast Portland Services: Drop-in center offering peer support, housing navigation, harm reduction, gender-affirming care referrals, and basic needs like showers and snacks. Focus: Unhoused and low-income LGBTQIA2S+ individuals Website: https://www.marieequi.center/service-center

2. Outside In – LGBTQIA+ Youth Services Location: 1132 SW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97205 Services: Housing, meals, showers, medical care, and QueerZone programming for youth aged 16–24. Contact: 503-535-3860 Website: https://outsidein.org/

3. Quest Center for Integrative Health Services: Operates Oregon’s first LGBTQ+ recovery homes, providing transitional housing and peer-led support for individuals overcoming addiction. Focus: LGBTQ+ individuals seeking recovery support Website: https://quest-center.org/

4. PDX Trans Housing Coalition Services: Assists trans and nonbinary individuals experiencing housing instability. Contact: Reach out via their Facebook page for assistance.

5. The Opal – LGBTQ+ Senior Housing Location: 12691 NW Dogwood, Portland, OR 97229 Services: Independent living community for LGBTQ+ seniors (55+), offering affordable housing and on-site programming in partnership with Friendly House Elder Pride Services. Website: https://www.theopalpdx.com/

Food Assistance

1. The People’s Pantry (Hand Up Project) Location: Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave, Suite D, Portland, OR 97217 Hours: Mondays & Tuesdays, 12–4 PM; 4th Saturday of the month, 10 AM–1 PM Services: LGBTQIA2S+-run food pantry offering a shopping-style experience to preserve dignity, focusing on the LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC communities. Website: https://handupproject.org/

2. Hereford House Pantry at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Location: 7704 N Hereford Ave, Portland, OR 97203 Hours: Fridays, 12–2 PM Services: Progressive, queer-affirming church pantry providing fresh produce and groceries to the community. Contact: Rita at 925-989-9638 Website: https://www.saintandrewspdx.com/

Community Centers & Elder Support

1. Q Center Location: 4115 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217 Services: Portland’s largest LGBTQ+ community hub offering events, support groups, and housing referrals. Website: https://www.pdxqcenter.org/

2. Friendly House – Elder Pride Services Location: 1737 NW 26th Ave, Portland, OR 97210 Services: Provides housing advocacy, case management, and social programming for LGBTQ+ seniors. Contact: (503) 228-4391 Website: https://fhpdx.org/

Housing Assistance for Portland Residents

1. Home Forward – Housing Choice Voucher & Property-Based Waitlists Programs:

  • Housing Choice Voucher (HCV): Rent assistance for eligible households to afford market-rate rentals, awarded via lottery.
  • Property-Based Waitlists: Periodic openings for specific Home Forward apartment communities. Eligibility: Households earning less than 50% of the area median income. Note: Waitlist openings are infrequent and dates change — check the site for the current application window rather than relying on a fixed date. Apply: https://www.homeforward.org/waitlists/

2. Impact NW – Housing & Rent Assistance Provides housing assistance programs, including prevention, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. Access is through Multnomah County’s Coordinated Access system. More info: https://impactnw.org/

3. Cascadia Health – HUD Housing Waitlist For disabled individuals and families needing independent housing. Note: Waitlists open periodically and are frequently closed between openings — check the site for current status. Apply: https://cascadiahealth.org/housing/

4. Portland Housing Bureau Develops and maintains affordable housing, supports home buying, and runs homelessness prevention programs. More info: https://www.portland.gov/phb

5. Transition Projects Transition Projects is a Portland, Oregon nonprofit that helps people move from homelessness to housing — each year they assist more than 10,000 people experiencing homelessness, and last year placed more than 800 people into affordable housing, with ongoing support to help them retain it. Their work spans shelter programs, housing placement and retention support, street outreach, a Resource Center (showers, laundry, mail, medical services), and dedicated Veteran Services for those who’ve served and are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Website: https://www.tprojects.org/

Food Assistance for Portland Residents

1. Oregon Food Bank – Metro Services Address: 7900 NE 33rd Drive, Portland, OR 97211 Contact: 503-282-0555 Main distribution hub for the metro area. Website: https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/

2. POBC Community Pantry (now Nourish Oregon) Address: 3223 SE 92nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97266 Phone: 503-442-8228 Note: This organization has rebranded from “POBC Community Pantry” to “Nourish Oregon.” Offers pantry boxes with fresh produce, canned goods, grains, meats, and dairy. Pre-ordering available online. Website: https://www.pobcpantry.com/

3. Lift UP (Lift Urban Portland) Programs include:

4. Sunshine Division Provides emergency food boxes and clothing assistance to Portland residents, in partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, who keep food boxes at every precinct for distribution. Website: https://sunshinedivision.org/

5. 211info Call 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898211, or visit the website to find food, shelter, and other essential services. Website: https://www.211info.org/

6. Oregon Food Bank Food Finder Use the search tool to locate additional pantries. Website: https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/

7. William Temple House Food pantry: 2023 NW Hoyt Street, Portland, OR 97209 — 503-226-3021 Thrift store: 2230 NW Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97210 — 503-222-3328 Services: NW Portland food pantry and Oregon Food Bank partner agency also offering low-cost counseling, utility assistance, and a children’s clothing closet. Proceeds from the adjoining thrift store (housewares, furniture, clothing) support the food pantry and social services. Website: https://www.williamtemple.org/