SUMMER 2025
HOUSING SENIORS I CREATING HOPE
Piloting Change How we Help Seniors Stay in Housing Jeff had been successfully housed for four years by Northwest Pilot Project in downtown Portland. He was a regular fixture during Retention Team building visits, which occur every other month to provide proactive housing stabilization services. They also serve to strengthen the ties between our agency, landlords, and our clients, and can be a fun way to connect with the day-to-day experiences of those we serve. One day, though, Jeff was not doing so well. He was being exploited by his neighbor, who claimed that Jeff owed him money knowing full well that Jeff’s memory was deteriorating. The situation had escalated and the neighbor was threatening Jeff if he refused to pay him. In the midst of this stressful time, Jeff relapsed into substance use, and because of the stress on his finances, was unable to pay his rent.
Although Northwest Pilot Project's main focus is housing services, we recognize that many factors impact housing stability. The Retention Team is uniquely positioned to address these needs, ensuring that clients remain connected to services even after they’ve moved into housing. Jeff’s abuser has moved out of the building, and Jeff remains current on his rent payments. He now receives regular visits from Lulu, his caregiver, who has filled his apartment with plants and makes sure he takes his medication consistently. With the support of his counselors, Jeff is now sober. Reflecting on his experience with Northwest Pilot Project, Jeff shared that working with the Retention Team has been transformative in his personal journey to health and housing stability.
Sadly, Jeff’s situation is not unusual. The difficulties faced by low-income older adults in Portland are wide-ranging and, unfortunately, don’t always end once someone is housed. Jeff was issued a notice of termination for non-payment of rent and, without an intervention, he would have lost his housing. Through NWPP's building visit program, Jeff was connected to a Retention case manager who was able to support him in his journey to stability. Immediately, we applied for funding to help pay Jeff's rent while we stablized his situation through Safety Net, a countywide financial assistance program for older adults and adults with disabilities. Once the immediate threat of eviction had passed, we connected Jeff with an Adult Protective Services investigator, who supported him as he took steps to separate from his financial abuser. He was also connected with a payee and caregiving services. To address Jeff’s worsening memory, his Retention Team case manager accompanied him to medical appointments and tests to ensure his health was being properly managed. Jeff began outpatient addiction treatment through LifeWorks NW as part of his recovery.
Retention Team member JP with Jeff
"
I live a really clean life now...I wasn't living like I'm living now. It's only gotten better. - Jeff, age 63
" 1