Why Start Here?
Navigating resources alone is hard — especially in a crisis. These programs connect you with trained social workers and case managers who take the time to understand your full situation and advocate on your behalf across housing, food, mental health, benefits, and more. A real person in your corner makes all the difference.
Social Workers & Resource Navigation
These programs offer face-to-face case management and advocacy. They assess your whole situation — not just one problem — and connect you across multiple service areas. Start here before searching anywhere else.
211info.org — Dial 2-1-1
Free
Oregon's primary resource-connection helpline. Live specialists connect callers to local social workers, case managers & community services. Available 24/7 in 150+ languages. Also text your ZIP to 898211.
Central City Concern — Integrated Services
Free / Income-based
Social workers embedded in housing, health & recovery programs. Comprehensive case management, benefits enrollment, and personalized resource navigation for people experiencing homelessness or poverty.
Multnomah County — Aging, Disability & Veterans Services
Free
Social workers help seniors, adults with disabilities, and veterans access in-home services, benefits, housing, and food. Case managers develop individualized care plans.
Oregon DHS — Self-Sufficiency Program
Free / Income-based
Caseworkers assist with SNAP, TANF, Medicaid/OHP, childcare assistance, employment supports, and referrals. Walk-in offices available across Portland.
JOIN — Outreach & Navigation
Free
Street outreach workers meet people where they are and connect them to housing, benefits, and services. Dedicated case managers provide long-term individualized support.
Neighborhood House — Community Services
Sliding Scale
Social workers and case managers help families with food, housing stability, benefits, and emergency assistance. Strong focus on culturally specific services in SW Portland.
Catholic Charities — Social Services
Free / Low-cost
Case managers assist with immigration, housing, refugee resettlement, and resource navigation regardless of faith background. Open to all.
NARA — Native American Rehabilitation Association
Free / Income-based
Culturally grounded social workers and case managers serving Native and Indigenous community members. Assistance with housing, benefits, health, and recovery.
Lines for Life — Community Resource Navigation
Free
Licensed social workers provide resource navigation, crisis support, and warm handoffs to mental health, addiction, and housing services.
Transition Projects — Social Services
Free
Case managers and social workers help people experiencing homelessness with shelter, housing navigation, ID recovery, benefits enrollment, and referrals.
Free & Low-Cost Mental Health / Therapy
Sliding-scale, grant-funded, and community mental health providers. Income verification may be required. Many accept Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid).
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
OHP / Sliding Scale
Individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, and crisis support on a sliding-scale fee. Accepts OHP/Medicaid. Walk-in crisis services available at the Hawthorn Walk-In Center.
Outside In — Mental Health
Free (Youth 14–24)
Free mental health therapy, substance use counseling, and case management for youth ages 14–24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability. No insurance needed.
MHAAO — Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon
Free / Low-cost
Peer support specialists and advocacy. Low-cost counseling referrals and connection to community mental health centers statewide.
Hawthorn Walk-In Center (Cascadia)
OHP / Sliding Scale
Same-day mental health walk-in assessment and brief counseling. No appointment needed. Accepts OHP. Available to anyone in crisis.
NARA — Behavioral Health Services
Free / Income-based
Culturally specific therapy and counseling for Native and Indigenous individuals. Individual, family, and group therapy options available.
Open Path Collective
$30–$80/session
Network of therapists offering reduced-cost sessions at $30–$80 for individuals with financial need. One-time $65 membership fee. Telehealth and in-person options.
Volunteers of America Oregon — Mental Health
OHP / Sliding Scale
Outpatient counseling, case management, and residential mental health services. Accepts OHP/Medicaid. Serves individuals and families.
Jewish Family & Child Service (JFCS)
Sliding Scale
Mental health services for adults. Clinicians accept insurance and offer sliding-scale fees. Open to all regardless of faith background.
Food Pantries & Nutrition Assistance
Many pantries require no documentation or ID. Call ahead for current hours. SNAP applications can be started at benefits.oregon.gov or by calling 211.
Oregon Food Bank — Pantry Network
Free
Largest food bank network in Oregon. Free groceries including produce, protein, and shelf-stable items. Find a pantry near you at oregonfoodbank.org/find-food.
Sunshine Division
Free
Emergency food boxes available year-round. Drive-through distribution — no income verification required. Serves 100,000+ people annually. Year-round and holiday programs.
Blanchet House
Free
Free hot meals served daily — breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No ID or registration required. One of Portland's most accessible meal programs for people experiencing food insecurity or homelessness.
Meals on Wheels People
Free / Low-cost (Seniors)
Home-delivered meals for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities. Also congregate meal sites across Portland for seniors who can travel.
SNAP / Oregon Trail EBT (Food Stamps)
Income-based (Free to Apply)
Federal nutrition benefit program providing monthly grocery funds. Apply online at benefits.oregon.gov or call 211. Social workers can assist with the application.
Community Warehouse
Free
Food plus essential household items for people transitioning from homelessness or crisis. Also provides furniture and home goods. Referral sometimes needed — ask your case manager.
WIC — Women, Infants & Children
Free (Income-based)
Nutrition benefits, healthy food vouchers, breastfeeding support, and referrals for pregnant women, new moms, and children under 5. Welcomes dads and guardians too.
Housing Resources & Shelter
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, rental assistance, and eviction prevention. Availability changes frequently — always call first or dial 211 for current openings.
211info — Rental Assistance & Shelter Finder
Income-based
Dial 2-1-1 for the most up-to-date rental assistance programs, shelter openings, and housing referrals. Specialists can assess eligibility for multiple programs in one call.
Multnomah County — Joint Office of Homeless Services
Free
Coordinates emergency shelter, hotel/motel placements, and housing services. Coordinated Access connects people to available housing resources across the county.
Home Forward (Housing Authority of Portland)
Income-based
Public housing and Section 8 / Housing Choice Vouchers. Waitlists vary. Also administers emergency rental assistance. Income-qualified households can apply online.
Human Solutions — Housing Stability
Income-based / Free
Emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention, shelter access, and housing case management. Serves East Portland and Gresham communities.
JOIN — Housing Navigation
Free
Helps individuals and families move from homelessness into stable housing. Provides long-term case management and rent support once housed.
Community Action — Utility Assistance (LIHEAP)
Free / Income-based
LIHEAP utility assistance, home weatherization, and emergency energy help to prevent utility shutoffs. Heating and cooling crisis funds available seasonally.
Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC)
Free / Confidential
Safe shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, and case management for survivors of domestic violence. Confidential services — safety planning available by phone.
Oregon Law Center — Tenant Rights & Eviction Defense
Free (Income-qualified)
Free legal assistance for low-income renters facing eviction, habitability issues, or landlord disputes. Eviction Defense Project available for those receiving SNAP, OHP, or TANF.
Addiction Support & Recovery
Oregon has decriminalized possession of small amounts of most drugs. Accessing help will NOT result in criminal charges. Treatment is available regardless of insurance status.
Lines for Life — Alcohol & Drug Helpline
Free
24/7 helpline for people struggling with alcohol or drug use. Connects to local treatment, peer support, and crisis intervention. Fully confidential — no judgment.
CODA — Community Outpatient & Residential Treatment
OHP / Sliding Scale
Outpatient, intensive outpatient, and residential addiction treatment. Accepts OHP/Medicaid and offers sliding-scale fees. MAT (Suboxone/methadone) available.
De Paul Treatment Centers
OHP / Sliding Scale
Residential and outpatient treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. Detox services available. Accepts OHP. Faith-informed but welcoming to all backgrounds.
NARA — Recovery Services
Free / OHP
Culturally grounded addiction counseling and recovery support for Native and Indigenous people. Residential and outpatient options with traditional healing integration.
Oregon Recovery Network — Peer Mentors
Free
Peer-to-peer support from people in recovery. Help navigating treatment, housing, and benefits during your recovery journey. Lived experience matters here.
Narcotics Anonymous — Portland Area
Always Free
Free peer-led recovery meetings across Portland. Daily meetings at many locations. No membership, fees, or sign-up — ever. Find meetings at portlandna.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous — Portland Intergroup
Always Free
Free peer-led 12-step meetings across Portland and surrounding areas. Daily meetings at dozens of locations. Directory and virtual meetings at pdxaa.org.
Youth & Family Resources
Services for children, teenagers, young adults (up to 24), and families. Many are available regardless of immigration or housing status.
Outside In — Young Adult Services
Free (Ages 14–24)
Housing, education, counseling, healthy meals, health care, and more for youth and young adults ages 14–24 with emphasis on those experiencing homelessness. Non-judgmental, trauma-informed approach.
Morrison Child & Family Services
OHP / Sliding Scale
Comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, prevention, and education services for youth from birth through age 21. Family therapy and school-based programs available.
Albertina Kerr — Youth Mental Health
OHP / Insurance
Mental health services for children, teens, and families including short-term crisis stabilization and clinic- and community-based outpatient care.
Metropolitan Family Service
Free / Sliding Scale
School-based food pantries, hunger relief, older adult services, and intergenerational programs. Over 27,000 neighbors served annually across greater Portland.
IRCO — Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization
Free / Income-based
200+ culturally and linguistically specific services for immigrants, refugees, and mainstream community. Employment assistance, health programs, elder services, and youth programs.
Q Center — LGBTQ+ Community Services
Free / Low-cost
Variety of services for the LGBTQ+ community including addiction and mental health support programs, services for veterans, youth, and seniors. Safe, affirming space.
Senior & Disability Services
Services for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Many programs include in-home support, transportation, and benefits navigation.
Multnomah County ADRC — Aging & Disability Resource Connection
Free
24-hour information and assistance to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Help with in-home care, long-term care planning, enrolling in government programs, and investigating possible abuse.
Oregon ADRC — Statewide Aging & Disability Line
Free
Local information for seniors and people with disabilities statewide. One call connects you to home care, transportation, benefits, and long-term support services.
Meals on Wheels People
Free / Low-cost
Home-delivered meals for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities. Congregate meal sites for those who can travel. Volunteer visitor program for social connection.
Disability Rights Oregon
Free
Helps people with disabilities with disability-related legal issues in Oregon. Protection and advocacy for rights, independence, and quality of life. Intake line available Mon–Fri.
Ride Connection — Senior & Disability Transportation
Free / Low-cost
Transportation support services for older adults and people with disabilities. Connects to volunteer drivers, transit assistance, and ride programs for medical and essential trips.
Oregon Care Partners — Caregiver Education
Free
Free education and training for family and professional caregivers of older adults and people with dementia, disabilities, or other needs.
Legal Aid & Benefits Navigation
Free and low-cost legal help, benefits enrollment, and advocacy. If you receive SNAP, OHP, or TANF, you likely qualify for free legal assistance.
Oregon Law Center — Civil Legal Aid
Free (Income-qualified)
Free legal assistance for low-income Oregonians on housing, family law, benefits, immigration, and consumer issues. Eviction defense, restraining orders, and more.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
Free (Income-qualified)
Civil legal assistance to low-income people in Oregon. Covers housing, family, immigration, consumer, and public benefits issues. Online intake available.
One Oregon — Online Benefits Application
Free to Apply
Apply for SNAP, TANF, childcare (ERDC), and Medicaid/OHP in one place online in English or Spanish. The fastest way to start the benefits process.
Oregon Lifeline — Free & Discounted Phone Service
Free / Discounted
Provides free or discounted phone and internet service to income-eligible Oregonians. Staying connected is essential for accessing services and employment.
MFS CASH Oregon — Free Tax Preparation (VITA)
Free (Income-qualified)
Free, high-quality tax preparation through the IRS VITA program. Helps families access refunds and tax credits like the EITC. Available seasonally Jan–April.
Upstream Access — Disability & Emergency Preparedness
Free
Cross-disability community providing training, resources, and resilience support for disabled Oregonians. Monthly cohorts and virtual meetups focused on emergency preparedness.