Resources and information for teens experiencing homelessness

Homeless

4/26/2018

Local resources
Portland resources
National resources
Our other resource pages

Local resources

Don't have somewhere safe to sleep tonight?
Please call Oak Bridge Youth Shelter (24/7) at 360.891.2634 or 1.888.979.4357 (ages 9-17) or the Housing Solutions Center Hotline (ages 18 and older) at 360.695.9677, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and weekends and holidays from 11 am to 2 pm. The Housing Solutions Center Hotline coordinates access to all the housing programs in our area.

Are you living in any of the following situations?

In a shelter
In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

If you answered yes to any of these, your school district is required to make sure you can get to and from school, and make sure you have what you need to do well in your classes. Call the Students in Transition Specialist from your school district to set up these services.

Battle Ground: 360.885.5434
Camas: 360.833.5570
Evergreen: 360.604.4045 or 360.604.4173
Hockinson: 360.448.6400
La Center: 360.263.2136
Ridgefield: 360.619.1317
Vancouver: 360.313.1483
Washougal: 360.954.3060

Cascade AIDS Project

Memorial Health Building
100 E 33rd St, Suite 201B, Vancouver
360.750.7964

Housing case management for people with HIV and AIDS; also provides testing, treatment and support for other STIs/STDs. Not a shelter.

Connections

360.695.9677

Connections is a Permanent Supportive Housing program for young adults, 18-25, who have experienced extensive homelessness coupled with a diagnosed disability. Youth are referred into the program from the Housing Solutions Center and are assessed based on disabilities, length of homelessness and other barriers. Not a shelter.

Department of Social and Health Services

800 NE 136th Ave, Suite 110, Vancouver
360.397.0002
1.877.501.2233

Food, cash and medical assistance. Not a shelter.

Food with Friends: Shower Outreach Project

360.723.5791

Mobile shower trailer. Call for schedule and locations; Marshall Center passes for ADA inquiries. Join its Facebook group for regular schedule updates and locations. Not a shelter.

Friends of the Carpenter

1600 W 20th St, Vancouver
360.750.4752

Information, gas vouchers, bus tickets, haircuts, clothing, fellowship and gift cards in exchange for volunteering. Not a shelter.

Junction House

503.350.7215

Provides males, ages 18-30, with housing in Hazel Dell. This home is for young men at a variety of different starting points in life who need a safe and sober place to begin again, build up rental history and be a part of a healthy community of peers. The program charges a participation fee.

Laundry Love

2101 St Johns Blvd, Vancouver
360.726.9351

Free soap, dryer sheets and quarters to do two loads of laundry. Thursdays from 6-8 pm. Clothes must be in washers before 8 pm so there is time to dry. Often times there is a line. Please line up outside and there will be a sign-in sheet.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

1.855.353.4328

Grants to help eligible residents pay for a range of home heating fuels such as electricity, natural gas, oil, wood and propane. Check the income limits now. At your energy assistance eligibility appointment, you must provide proof of all household income for the previous four months; social security cards for all household members (adults and children); and a fuel bill showing your home address. Not a shelter.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

21814 NW 11th Ave, Ridgefield
360.887.3354

Food, clothing and small household items to people in Ridgefield, La Center, Felida and Salmon Creek. You can receive one emergency food box per month and one commodities box per month. The size of the emergency food box varies and is based on the household members. Not a shelter.

New Beginnings Maternity Home

10116 SE 12th St, Vancouver
360.989.0280

A family style shelter for young, pregnant people and young parents who are homeless, who are facing parenthood without the support of their family, and who were assigned female at birth. Food, life skill classes, transportation, support and security provided.

Ritz Family Ranch

503.350.7215

Provides males, ages 18-25, with housing in Yacolt and an opportunity to learn structure, job skills and a work ethic that will help them transition into healthy self-sufficiency upon graduation.

Share Outreach and Day Center

Friends of the Carpenter
1600 W 20th St, Vancouver
360.952.8146

A drop-in center that provides access to laundry services, clothing and hygiene items through a sign-up system. Visit website for details. Also provides resources and can serve as your mailing address. Not a shelter.

SafeChoice Domestic Violence Shelter

360.695.0501
1.800.695.0167

Offers shelter to survivors of domestic violence, regardless of gender for up to 60 days. Children and pets are allowed. The shelter provides a Children’s Advocacy Program to engage children in fun, educational activities while parents make progress towards obtaining permanent housing and other self-defined goals. Parents may also access the Family Support Specialist to learn more about the effects of domestic violence on their children and increase their parenting skills.

St. Vincent de Paul: Camas/Washougal, St. John/Brush Prairie and Vancouver

Camas/Washougal
324 NE Oak St, Camas
360.834.2126 ext. 251 (leave message)

St. John/Brush Prairie
11607 NE 87th Ave, Vancouver
360.573.7199 (leave message)

Vancouver
2456 NE Stapleton Road, Vancouver
360.694.5388

Back rental assistance, rent, utilities, food, and lodging assistance . Also assists with back-to-school, Thanksgiving and Christmas needs. Services vary by location and availability of funds. Not a shelter.

St. John/Brush Prairie location serves residents north of 58th St. Proof of address required for this location.

The Giving Closet

2804-A NE 65th Ave, Vancouver
360.993.4800

Free clothing, shoes, household goods, bedding, linens, toys, books, clothing sizes 4X-8X, bread, household start over kits, and non-perishable food items. Also provides a warm meal, emergency food and personal grooming supplies to the homeless when they visit. Not a shelter.

The Nest

360.695.9677

A six-month program working with youth, 18-24, who have completed or are nearing completion of their basic education. Provides basic financial and case management support for youth who are ready to live independently but cannot afford the initial move-in costs of an apartment.

The Perch

1501 Columbia St, Vancouver
360.314.5716

A day-time drop-in center for homeless youth, 15-24. The Perch offers a dry, warm, safe place where youth have access to laundry facilities, clothes, computers, a phone, a shower, a meal, skilled staff to help them problem solve, and more. Not a shelter. Open 9-11:30 am and 12:30-4 pm on Mondays and Fridays, 12:30-4 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Closed Wednesdays and weekends.

The Salvation Army: Vancouver and Washougal

Vancouver Corps
1500 NE 112th Ave, Vancouver
360.892.9050

Washougal Corps
1612 "I" St, Washougal
360.835.3171

Rent and utility assistance, food and clothing assistance, shower facilities, hygiene supplies and Christmas assistance. Services may vary. Not a shelter.

Vancouver Housing Authority

2500 Main St, Vancouver
360.694.2501
TDD: 360.694.0842

Several programs and resources to help low-income families, the elderly and people who are disabled find housing they can afford. Other housing is available for low-income families and individuals even if they don't qualify for Section 8 vouchers or other subsidized housing programs. You may be able to find affordable housing in Clark County that you qualify for based on your income or situation. Not a shelter.

Vida's Ark

1311 E Reserve St, Vancouver
360.695.3681

Provides housing to young mothers, ages 14-25, and their babies, who have been displaced or are in need of support and services necessary for a new healthy start that leads to life and parenting skills, as well as education and vocational training.

Yellow Brick Road Outreach Washington

360.314.5716

Assists youth, 16-24, who are in unstable living situations, experiencing homelessness or are couch surfing. Access hygiene and laundry services, first aid, safer sex supplies, clothing and sleeping bags, phone calls, transportation and more. Receive help applying for public assistance, health care, mental health services, drug and alcohol programs, and more. Not a shelter.

Portland resources

Access Center

1635 SW Alder St, Portland
1.503.432.3986

The single point of entry for homeless youth, 14-24, seeking services through Portland’s Homeless Youth Continuum. Youth seeking services have immediate access to basic needs and safe shelter off the streets. Screenings can be accommodated 365 days of the year between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Youth younger than 17 are referred to Harry’s Mother to determine if their needs can be met through services specifically designed for minors.

Bridge House

1.503.238.1702

A safe, supportive and supervised transitional living home for seven youth, 16-20, that meet homeless criteria and are willing to work toward fulfilling their educational or employment needs. Also serves pregnant or parenting youth with children under the age of two. To learn how to apply, visit its website. There is typically a one- to two-month waiting list.

Changes

1.503.380.0725

An independent living program for youth, 16-20, that meet homeless criteria, Changes provides basic financial assistance with initial move-in costs such as a security deposit, application fee or cleaning fee for an apartment, and case management support to youth ready to live on their own. To learn how to apply, visit its website. There is typically a one- to two-month waiting list. Not a shelter.

Harry's Mother

738 NE Davis St, Portland
1.503.233.8111

Harry's Mother East
510 NE Roberts, Gresham
1.503.912.3423

Provides 24-hour crisis intervention, emergency shelter and individual and family counseling to youth, 9-17, and their families.

New Avenues for Youth

1220 SW Columbia St, Portland

314 SW 9th Ave, Portland
1.503.224.4339

Rockwood Boys & Girls Club
470 SE 165th Ave, Portland
1.971.754.4350

Drop-in day services for meals, showers, laundry, respite from the streets, engagement activities, and legal counsel. Also offers counseling and individual wraparound support to set and achieve goals related to education, job training and employment. Supportive housing is available for LGBTQ youth and youth in foster care. Visit website to learn which location offers which services.

Outside In

1132 SW 13th Ave, Portland
1.503.535.3800

Individualized support for housing, education, employment, counseling, medical care, healthy meals, recreation and art, and safety off the streets.

Porch Light Shelter

1635 SW Alder St, Portland
1.503.222.5933

Portland’s only 30-bed crisis shelter for homeless youth, 15-23, in need of immediate shelter, Porch Light provides meals, shower and laundry facilities and 15 nights of safe shelter each month for youth working to secure permanent housing.

Street Light Shelter

1635 SW Alder St, Portland
1.503.224.5988

With shelter capacity for 30 young people nightly, Street Light provides safe shelter and a range of supportive services for youth, 15-23, who are actively engaged in exiting street life. Youth are able to have a “standing reservation” at the shelter for up to four months.

National resources

National Runaway Switchboard (24/7)

1.800.786.2929
Chat online

Education, solution-focused interventions and nonjudgmental support for youth and their families.

Guide to free cell phones

Learn if you qualify for a free cell phone through the Lifeline Program by contacting connectup@solid-ground.org or call one of these providers (2016 free cell phone info) to see if the free cell phone applies in your area.

Our other resource pages

Visit our Food resources page if you need to find local food banks or access a hot meal:

Food

Visit our Jobs resources page if you need access to employment programs:

Jobs

Visit our Legal Issues resources page if you need access to different areas of legal information, including tenant rights and access to Washington's Homeless Youth Handbook:

Legal Issues

Visit our Transportation resources page if you need transportation to get to and from work, job interviews, or picking up and dropping off applications:

Transportation