Frequently Asked Questions

Before the redesign, Multnomah County’s Coordinated Access System used the VI-SPDAT (Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool) to determine how certain housing resources are prioritized by the Coordinated Access System for Families and Adults. The CA redesign replaced the VI-SPDAT with a new coordinated access process that includes the Multnomah Services and Screening Tool (MSST). This new tool  accounts for people’s barriers to housing and available system resources. In addition to going through the screening questions, people are also provided with Housing Problem Solving. We also revisited some of our policies and procedures based on feedback from our advisory groups, as well as feedback from the community over the years. 

Unhoused community members and homeless services providers have given feedback over the years that the VI-SPDAT assessment tool is not trauma-informed or culturally responsive. We wanted to create a new tool and process that prioritizes households better than the previous process, and allows the system to be flexible as local resources and initiatives change. The redesign has been guided by people with lived experience of homelessness and homeless service providers.

The new MSST tool is shorter and more trauma informed, and it asks questions that align with local priorities. In addition, the new process promotes equity in access to available housing resources. The new assessment tool and process were designed and customized for the local community in Multnomah County based on key stakeholder input and feedback. This includes people with lived experience of homelessness, local service providers, research on those with the highest barriers to housing, and local data. 

The redesign unfortunately did not change the shortage of available affordable housing in our community. It also did not change the fact that need continues to exceed available resources. But what it can do is make better use of what’s currently available, while the Homeless Services Department, Multnomah County and the City of Portland work together — through the Homelessness Response Action Plan — to make other improvements and address our housing shortage.

The Homeless Services Department took feedback over several years from providers that have worked in Coordinated Access locally. The Homeless Services Department also engaged its CA Redesign Oversight Committee, composed of homeless services providers in Multnomah County, and the Housing Connections Collaborative, an advisory body of people with lived experience of homelessness specially created for this redesign.

The redesign did not change basic eligibility requirements for Coordinated Access. The eligibility requirements are slightly different for different populations.

For adults unaccompanied by minors (all household members are 18+), they must be:

• experiencing literal homelessness (in shelter, a place not meant for human habitation such as an RV without running water or electricity, etc.). OR
• imminently at risk of losing their primary nighttime residence within 14 days; when no subsequent residence has been identified; and the individual lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing.
• in Rapid Rehousing and qualify for/need Permanent Supportive Housing

For families with minors, they must be:

• experiencing literal homelessness (in shelter, a place not meant for human habitation such as an RV without running water or electricity, etc.) OR
• imminently at risk of losing their primary nighttime residence within 14 days; when no subsequent residence has been identified; and the individual lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing OR
• “doubled-up” or “couch-surfing”— meaning they are housed with families and friends but are not on the lease – AND imminently at risk of losing their primary nighttime residence within 14 day.

Any individual or family who Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence; has no other residence; and lacks the resources or support network to obtain other permanent housing

The new tool is not meant to predict the types of services and housing someone should get. Instead, the tool is meant to prioritize households with the greatest housing barriers for limited services. That prioritization is based on our community’s agreed-upon local priorities, including households overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness and underserved in homeless services. For households in the priority pool, the Housing Preferences & Matching Questionnaire will determine which available housing resource will best meet their needs.

People who were assessed with the VI-SPDAT and scoring over a certain threshold continued to be prioritized for housing in Fall 2024. This was communicated to partners and people with completed assessments. We are no longer prioritizing people who had VI-SPDAT assessments, so people in need of and eligible for CA resources should complete the new tool.

No. The goal of the new CA process is to identify households with the greatest barriers to housing. People will not be deprioritized for already engaging in services.

Our goal is to offer housing problem solving resources to all households knowing that not everyone can be prioritized for the Coordinated Access priority pool. As we are building our efforts around problem solving resources, we anticipate being able to provide advice and resource assessment, but not financial assistance, to everyone in need.

The Homeless Services Department is in close contact with the County Chair’s office and the planning groups to make sure that the Coordinated Access redesign fits within the Homelessness Response Action Plan and is helping to reach the goals of the plan.

• Households with children younger than 18: Call 211.
• Adults unaccompanied by children: Call 844-765-9384. You can also complete an online pre-screening by filling out this form.
• Adults unaccompanied by children who would like a culturally specific assessment for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) households: Call the BIPOC CHAT line at 503-280-2600 option 3 or email housingreferrals@ulpdx.org.
• Veterans: Call the Veteran Services hotline at 855-425-5544.
• Domestic Violence Survivors: Call to Safety 503-235-5333 or, for Spanish, Project UNICA 503-232-4448
• Unaccompanied Youth (Under age 25): Contact Janus Youth through their Access Center at 635 SW Alder St. in Portland or by calling 503-432-3986

Some people will be notified within 2-3 weeks if they have been placed in the priority pool for housing. Households will be offered housing problem solving resources even if they are not placed in the priority pool. This may include financial support, but such support is limited.

The County offers limited resources for homelessness prevention, but these funds do not go through the Homeless Services Department or Coordinated Access. Calling 211 and connecting with a homeless services provider directly is the best way to access these funds.