A Journey that Navigated Houseless Encampments Empathetically, Provided Core Services, and Prioritized Staff Safety & Wellness

The Multnomah County Drainage District (MCDD) is a small public agency that focuses on flood risk management and drainage within its service area along the Columbia River in the north Portland metro area. Like many special districts and utilities, it does not have law enforcement or social services staff that larger cities or counties employ. Furthermore, more than half of the stormwater pump stations and nearly all of the levee systems that MCDD manages resides on property owned by others. These limitations hindered its ability to initially address the increasing density and locations of houseless encampments that formed at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. MCDD had no choice but to employ a new suite of tools to continue its services while working with the houseless community. Prior to the pandemic, the Portland area was home to many houseless individuals, similar to many large metropolitan areas. A variety of factors within the City of Portland lead to situations where more people find themselves living in their vehicle or in outdoor camps. Most of the district's assets are located away from residential properties and, in some cases, businesses as well. Several of these sites became convenient places to reside for some houseless individuals who wanted to be left alone. As the density of houseless communities increased, MCDD staff lost access to several assets it normally maintains frequently (e.g., twice a week). At its peak, the district lost access to its largest pump station for approximately 6 months. It only re-gained access with the help of agency partners and contractors after a large rain event flooded upstream properties within the drainage area of this facility. Another large houseless encampment established itself along the riverward side of the primary levee along the Columbia River. MCDD staff knew that pockets of excavation and removal of vegetation and topsoil that occurred among these camps significantly increased the risk of the levee to not perform as designed if the river levels reached major flood stages. The challenges of the houseless issues also had a significant impact on the mental health of MCDD's field staff, its Operations team. As the district's 'front lines' to provide services to its customers, these employees placed themselves in uncomfortable situations on many occasions. These included walking near rows of derelict vehicles to gain access to some sites, conversing with folks who are mentally ill or experiencing anguish due to life circumstances, or running for cover into a pump station following gunshots in the vicinity. MCDD examined multiple elements of its employee support programs and other business processes to implement additional resources to supplement its existing tool set. A series of listening sessions between the Operations team and senior leadership provided a forum for staff to voice individual concerns and offer solutions. These new resources involved the following: Contract with mental health specialists to conduct education and outreach to houseless individuals. Expanded safety program that led to new PPE and security consultant recommendations. New staff training that covered impacts to employee's mental health, the challenges the houseless population face, and advanced first aid methods. Employee benefits related to life insurance. District's annual security budget ($7,500 to $200,000) Board-approved ordinance to clarify district's legal tools available to deal with obstructions. This presentation summarizes MCDD's 3-year journey through this challenge from the start of the COVID pandemic, the present, and beyond. Topics and associated lessons learned include: Developing a proactive outreach program and coordinated response for houseless camps and vehicles. Engaging with property owners private and public to help re-establish access to assets that the district manages. Supporting Operations staff that dealt with deteriorating workplace safety and negative effects on mental health. Efforts to apply diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles to help the district navigate this journey to the benefit of both staff and the houseless population. While there is still work to be done, MCDD made great strides to enact a support system for its staff to perform the district's services in a safe work environment, while continuing to effectively engage with the houseless population as empathetically as possible.