Pearl District Outreach Update: September 2026

By Chase McPherson, Executive Director, Northwest Community Conservancy

September brought some of the best weather the Pearl has seen in a while: cooler days and mild nights. That shift showed up on the street, too. Requests for water and medical assistance dropped, while service connections held steady or rose. Most encouraging of all, more people were open to hearing about shelter and support.

Here's what our Humanitarian Team saw last month, what's changing in the neighborhood, and how you can help.

September Outreach at a Glance

Our professional outreach team was on the street throughout the Pearl every day in September. Here's what that work added up to:

September Outreach at a Glance

Our professional outreach team was on the street throughout the Pearl every day in September. Here's what that work added up to:

• 81 meals provided

• 73 contacts with people experiencing homelessness

• 64 resource connections

• 42 bottles of water

• 18 tent self-relocations

• 6 shelter referrals

• 1 detox referral

Behind every number is a conversation. Our outreach specialists also responded to tents, neighborhood concerns, and requests for assistance throughout the month.

A Growing Openness to Services

One of the most hopeful changes this month was a drop in conversations where people simply declined help. More people were willing to listen to their options, and more showed interest in shelter and other services.

Our team made additional referrals to partners including Transition Projects (TPI), the Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC), and City Team. Several shelters changed in September, so we'll be watching whether this trend continues into October as people adjust.

What's Changing in the Shelter Landscape

September brought two closures and a lot of transition. Here's where things stand:

• Northrup Shelter: closed September 18. It's still early, so we haven't yet seen fewer people lingering nearby during the day. Safeway remains a frequent gathering spot, and our humanitarian and security teams are there consistently, offering assistance and connecting people to services.

• Navigation Center on Naito: closed. Without the same monitoring, we're seeing more tent activity in that area. Our team reports tents promptly while the City continues cleanup.

• SE Grand Overnight Shelter: open. Use has been fairly low during the mild weather, as expected. We'll keep an eye on those numbers as temperatures drop.

• Oasis Day Center (Broadway and Glisan): open. The center is an important daytime resource, and many people we meet know about it. Using it is voluntary, though, so people continue to spend time throughout the Pearl during the day.

Tents, Outreach Requests, and Graffiti

Tent and campsite reports held fairly steady, with slight increases in some areas. Our team documents and reports every tent we encounter, so the City has current information on locations and conditions.

Outreach requests ticked up slightly through our email and portal. These requests let members and community partners ask our team to check on a situation and see whether someone may want assistance. Thank you for reaching out. It helps us reach people sooner.

Graffiti: We documented two reports in September, and the City cleaned up both promptly. If you're an eligible resident, small business, or nonprofit, the City of Portland Graffiti Program offers no-cost graffiti removal assistance.

Car Break-Ins Are Up: Keep Your Vehicle Clear

Property crime rose over the past month, especially car break-ins. Portland Police Bureau is seeing the same increase citywide. Many incidents are crimes of opportunity, but PPB believes some may be more organized and is working to identify those responsible.

In the NWCC district, break-ins are happening on city streets and also inside private garages and behind secured gates.

The simplest prevention is to leave nothing visible in your car, even items that seem worthless:

• Sunglasses

• Charging cords

• Coins or cash

• Bags of any kind

• Food or fast-food bags

Even a cord or an empty bag can signal there's something worth taking. A few extra seconds to remove or hide items makes a real difference.

The Crow Abatement Program Returns

NWCC is running the Crow Abatement Program again this year. Because it covers many non-member properties across the area, the program is funded entirely by donations.

As you plan your community giving for the coming year, please consider supporting it. We'll share more details on the program and how to contribute soon.

Election Reminder

The November 3, 2026 General Election is coming up. Key dates:

• October 13: Voter registration deadline

• October 14: Ballots begin mailing

• November 3: Election Day

If you're eligible, make sure your registration is current and plan how you'll return your ballot. For official information, visit Multnomah County Elections.

Thank You

Thank you for your continued support of NWCC and our work to improve livability, safety, and compassionate care throughout the Pearl District. Our team is out there every day, all year, and your support makes that possible.

Questions or a situation you'd like our team to check on? Reach out anytime.

Chase McPherson Executive Director chase@nwccpdx.org