OAHHS Spring Summer 2019

16 » A magazine for and about Oregon Community Hospitals. HOSPITAL SPOTLIGHTS PROVIDENCE  PROVIDENCE PARTNERSHIP FIGHTS HOMELESSNESS Providence has committed to providing health care services for the Healthy Housing Initiative, a plan by Catholic Charities USA and the Archdiocese of Portland to create permanent housing for up to 300 residents experiencing chronic homelessness. The project aims to use a mixture of existing unused buildings and new construction to combat Portland’s homeless crisis. Providence executives say providing access to health services is key to helping residents experiencing homelessness make a successful transition from living on the streets. “So many people who experience chronic homelessness are also dealing with serious mental illness, disabilities, substance abuse disorders and chronic health conditions,” said Lisa Vance, Providence Health & Services Oregon chief executive. “We believe health is a human right. And partnering with Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese is an innovative and meaningful way to make a difference.” Vance said a growing number of people experiencing homelessness are being treated in Providence hospitals. Multnomah County’s most recent count tallied 4,177 men, women and children sleeping in tents, in cars or on the sidewalk. That number is up 10 percent from the previous count two years earlier. A third of these